Crescent Head Loop

It can be a little tricky to find champagne gravel around Port Macquarie and whilst Maria River Rd certainly does have some lovely sections, Point Plomer Rd had us walking our bike in frequent intervals (mainly due to recent rains but there are a few sandpits too).

I would caveat this route as being more suited to a mountain bike as opposed to a gravel bike.

Having said that, this is certainly a gorgeous route that hugs the coast & lush vegetation along Point Plomer Rd before poking through to the secluded Big Hill Beach and the sleepy beach village of Crescent Head where you can pick up a great coffee from Black Fish.

Heading back to Port Macquarie, you’ll travel along Maria River Rd and the boundary of Limeburners Creek National Park split by vegetation to the east and farmland to the west.
Maria River Rd starts of smooth and is a well maintained road although you will encounter some corrugations and bumpier gravel in the latter parts. It’s quite a long, flat road so may the wind be at your back.

To leave Port Macquarie, there’s a short cable ferry crossing over to North Shore. It’s free for pedestrians and bikes and operates 24hrs a day and 7 days a week. You’ll wait at most 15mins.
Note: It is closed for maintenance on the 4th Wednesday of every month.