Discover Macksville on the Nambucca River

Macksville lies on the banks of the Nambucca River. Local history, murals and a lively riverside scene give the destination many different facets. The following places and experiences offer some specific ways to explore them.

History and art in Macksville

The Macksville History Walk takes you to historic hotels and picturesque cafés by the river. Stops also include the railway station, built in 1919. Two other hotel stories give the town a sense of its past: the Star Hotel was established in 1885, and the Macksville Hotel has been a community hub for more than 100 years. The two names add to the picture of the historic hotels along the walk, each with its own story.

The Mary Boulton Pioneer Cottage and Museum in Macksville has seven exhibition buildings. The large, colourful murals along Wallace Lane, between the main street and the Nambucca River, offer a different impression. Macksville War Memorial is also in the River Street riverside area. Together, the exhibitions, street art and memorial provide different cultural points of interest.

River, movement and evening lights

At dusk, Macksville Bridge lights up in a vivid, changing display of colours reflected in the Nambucca River. The lighting programs may change over time. If you want to experience the bridge in the evening, check the latest lighting details beforehand.

Macksville’s sparkling waters attract boaters and anglers. Another way to explore the area actively is the Macksville–Nambucca Heads Cycleway, also known as The Watt Creek Cycleway. This shared path is designed for cycling, running and walking, and provides a scenic link between Macksville and Nambucca Heads. This gives you a choice between water activities and a route for different ways of getting around.

Music and macadamias

The Macksville Music Muster is a regional country music festival on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Its week-long entertainment program takes place under the big top and on the showground. The event is held at the Macksville Show Society grounds on Rodeo Drive in Macksville. Event details may change; if you’re planning to include the Muster in your trip, check the dates and program beforehand.

For something beyond music and local history, a visit to the Nambucca Macnuts shop in Macksville offers a look at local macadamia processing: it is the direct sales outlet for the company’s own processing facility. When planning, you can consider a connection to a local business alongside walks, culture and waterside activities.

In the wider destination of Nambucca Shire Council

The wider region also has its own cultural and natural attractions. The Nambucca Valley is on Gumbaynggirr Country and follows the winding Nambucca River from the hinterland to the coast. Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park holds great cultural significance for the Gumbaynggirr community of the Nambucca Valley. It contains sites that show the area has been used continuously for thousands of years. The park is jointly managed by the Aboriginal people of the Nambucca Valley and the NPWS.

For nature experiences, Kosekai lookout offers views across the expansive Nambucca Valley to the coast, as well as opportunities for birdwatching. Dunggir National Park is home to at least 12 threatened animal species, 400 native plant species and three types of rainforest; it also offers bushwalking for challenging hikes. These regional opportunities complement Macksville’s own mix of river, history, art and music, while keeping the different locations distinct.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Tooleybuc, Springvale, West Wyalong, Cedar Creek, Somersby, Morisset, Erowal Bay, Currans Hill

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.