Port Macquarie or Port Stephens?

[cev]

Good evening everyone, seeing that we have people on here from widespread locations, I thought it would be a good chance for me to ask some advice.

Me and a few mates are going on a road-trip up the north coast of NSW this month and I have already booked a resort in Coffs Harbour for a few nights but am stuck in a dilemna for the next 2 nights on where to go, Port Macquarie or Port Stephens. We only have 2 nights here because one of us has to go back to work on a certain date.

Where would be more interesting for a group of guys in their early-mid 20's?

Port Macquarie is standing out for me at the moment due to it being a bigger town with more stuff around.

Any decent nightclubs around either of these places? Just playing the normal commercial dance and rnb tunes.

Which place has a better beach? Port Stephens with Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay look like they got nice beaches.

Any recommendations of where to stay? We dont mind spending good money for a good place at all, moneys not an issue, the place in Coffs is 4.5 star and I willl never go below 4 star due to some BAD past experiences with so called quality 3 star places! I am keen so far on Rydges, Ki-Ea or Nortthpoint Luxury Apartments in Port Macquarie as they have suitable 2 bedroom apartments.

We are also going to be doing the Sand Safaris Quad Bike adventure which should be great fun, thats in Williamtown in Port Stephens, so this is why I have left Port Stephens as a possible spot for us still. If not, on our way home from Port Macquarie, we will do the Quad thing and drive straight home from there.

Any opinions from locals or anyone who has holidayed up there would be great :)

Cheers and Happy New Year all.

[aussie372]

If you choose Port Stephens , remember that Newcastle is only 3/4 hr from there . There are numerous pubs ,clubs & nightclubs to choose from .. Plus there are a few LS1 owners/members here also ..
cheers mark

[Marco]

Coffs and Port Macquarie both seemed to me like giant retirement villages - I've had two holidays at Port Stephens and both were pretty good. If you're looking for interesting nightlife in either place, though, you'll be disappointed...

Port Stephens has some excellent beaches though. And an interesting mini-goldf course, if you like that sort of thing :)

[Febs]

Spent a week up in Shoal Bay/Nelson Bay with 3 mates and our girlfriends and it was great.

In terms of nightlife, there's not a lot in Nelson Bay (the RSL club has a nightclub one or two nights/week, but it's about what you'd expect..). Plenty of restaurants and cafes open late though. Also as aussie372 said - Newcastle is pretty close.

Nice beaches - we stayed 1/2 block from the beach (2 minute walk) and loved it. Great boat fishing from Nelson Bay too.

I'd recommend it for a lazy holiday where you just want to hang out with some mates and do whatever you feel like. :)

Cheers,
- Febs.

PS: I've only stopped in Port Macquarie for dinner one night (RSL club - it's decent), and it seemed like a nice place. Parents stayed there last year in a great place on the beach for a good price.

[HSVREDSLED]

Been extensively to both. Both have good points. From the sounds of you lads, Port is the go.

Good irish pub, as well as other pubs in town. There is also some downstairs nite club which can be OK.

As for quality accomodation, go no further than this place.

http://www.port-macquarie.net/theobservatory/

highly recommend.

[dv8dazza]

i go to port macquarie ever year and think its a great spot, theres always heaps to do there and you never seem to get bored whatever sport or hobby your into, one of the best motels ive stayed at is call ,, hq boutique, its right on the main headland there in port with views that i havent seen elsewhere in the places ive stayed at around aus, its all there,,
port stephens,, well if you love fishing and just lazing at the pub,, thats your place,, but for me, i think port mac and forster are 2 of the best places on the north coast,,
cheers

[cev]

Thanks for all the info guys! It truly has been helpful :)

Anymore info from anyone would be gladly appreciated. Wondering also what kind or how much of nightlife there is in Coffs and Port.

It looks like it will be Port Macquarie 100% now, just seems like theres more to do plus got heaps of the supermarkets, shops and takeaways for food and supplies.

Cant wait to do the Quad Bikes, its some sort of 2 hour adventure through the sand dunes and to a shipwreck on the sea but I hope we get some time and space to give them a bit of stick and not be guided through like a high school excursion group!

[SonofBrock]

Port is the go Dude. Spent a few years up there and for a Commodre full of blokes full of testosterone.....well!!!