What to do
Ideas for visitors and weekend explorers — from a highway pub lunch to river bridges, farm stays, and day trips out of the Port Macquarie hinterland.
Long Flat is small on purpose. The joy is the country around it: the Oxley Highway, the Hastings River, and a few genuine stops that still feel local. Use this page for ideas; see What’s on for ongoing and seasonal notes; use Links for the full directory and Getting here for the map and drive times.
Around Long Flat
Long Flat Pub
The easy first stop on the Oxley Highway — a meal, a cold drink, and the social centre of the village. Travellers Rest energy, local regulars, and a proper country pub frontage.
Kindee Bridge
Historic timber suspension bridge over the Hastings (opened 1936). Towers, cables, river bends, and a community chalkboard with Council SMS/QR updates. Perfect short stop west of Wauchope.
Ewetopia Farm
Rural farm stay near Long Flat and Ellenborough — quiet paddocks, space to unwind, pool and gazebo for guests. A peaceful base for exploring the hinterland.
Easy day trips
Oxley Highway scenic drive
One of NSW’s great hinterland roads — curves, bush, and big sky between Wauchope and Walcha. Long Flat is a natural pause for fuel-of-the-human kind (lunch, not necessarily petrol).
Bago Maze & Wine
Huge hedge maze and cellar door on a working farm near Wauchope — about half an hour from Port Macquarie. Ideal if kids need to burn energy and adults want a tasting.
Ellenborough Falls
One of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in NSW (Bulga Plateau / Elands area). A classic Port Macquarie hinterland outing — check road conditions before you go.
Beechwood Hotel
Classic country pub just outside Wauchope — another friendly stop if you’re looping the upper Hastings villages.
Plan it well
How long do I need?
A highway lunch stop can be an hour. Add Kindee Bridge for a half-day loop from Port or Wauchope. Full Oxley run or falls country wants a whole day.
Best seasons
Clear winter days are superb for photos and driving. Summer is lush but check fire danger. After heavy rain, always check Live Traffic before committing to the Oxley.
With kids
Pub meal, short bridge walk (supervise near traffic), or Bago maze. Village facilities are limited — pack snacks and water.
Respect the place
This is a working rural community, not a theme park. Give way on single-lane bridges, leave gates as you find them, and support local businesses when you can.