Terrain

Accessible parking

Accessible toilet

Lookouts

By car: Travel ~7 km south from Port Macquarie along Matthew Flinders Drive / Pacific Drive to reach Lighthouse Beach. A public car park adjacent to Lighthouse Beach Reserve offers level access to the site, with several spaces and picnic tables nearby pmhc.nsw.gov.auPort Macquarie.

Accessible parking: While not explicitly listed, the proximity of the carpark to the facilities suggests convenient access; Park near the reserve for minimal distance to paths and toilets.

Public transport: Bus routes 322, 323, and 333 serve stops near Lighthouse Beach. The nearest stops include Matthew Flinders Drive at Glen Street (≈2 min walk) and Matthew Flinders Drive at Lighthouse Road (≈7 min walk) Moovit.

Outdoor spaces: Lighthouse Beach offers a long, sweeping 9 km stretch of south-east-facing sand—ideal for walking, beachcombing, and long strolls NSW Governmentaustralias.guideTripadvisor.
The adjacent Lighthouse Beach Reserve features flat grassy areas, picnic tables, and open space for rest or leisure—accessible directly from the carpark and ideal for wheelchairs or prams pmhc.nsw.gov.au.

Promenade / paths: Multiple faint paths and access points run from Matthew Flinders Drive through vegetation to the beach; these appear unpaved and potentially uneven, requiring caution for wheeled users.

Indoor amenities: The nearby Surf Life Saving Club (at the northern, patrolled end) houses a kiosk/café and restrooms. Entry is level from the reserve, but facilities may vary in accessibility.

On-site toilets: Public toilets are available at Lighthouse Beach Reserve, adjacent to the car park and picnic area, and are accessible at ground level.

Toilet upgrades: Recent council projects mention that nearby toilets are not yet fully accessible, though upgrades are underway to improve inclusivity—including potentially enhancing paths, lighting, and access points .

Beach Accessibility: While not explicitly stated, Lighthouse Beach is one of the patrolled beaches in Port Macquarie—meaning the Sandcruiser beach wheelchair may be available during patrol hours (though not confirmed, similar to other beaches).

Scenic access: A new accessible path at Tacking Point Lighthouse (above the beach) includes a smooth, landscaped walkway to a lookout—complete with accessible parking, signage, and environment-integrating design. However, this is separate from beach access itself.

Other features: Lighthouse Beach is dog-friendly (south of Watonga Rocks) and offers unique activities like camel rides and 4WD beach driving—though these are best enjoyed with assistance if mobility is limited.

pmhc.nsw.gov.au

Port Macquarie

Moovit

NSW Government

australias.guide

Tripadvisor

Lighthouse Beach

Location & Arrival: Located at 159 Pacific Drive, just south of town and past Shelly Beach Road, you can reach the Rainforest Centre via sealed public roads, suitable for 2WD vehicles with no weather restrictions.

Parking: A paved car park is available with two designated accessible parking spaces close to the entrance.

Entrance Path: From the car park, a step-free, paved pathway and a metal mesh bridge with handrails lead to the Centre.

Centre Access: The entrance features automatic double sliding doors and the ground floor is flat and step-free, providing easy access to the shop, ticket desk, toilets, café, and rainforest entrance.

Rainforest Boardwalk: A 1.3 km elevated, wheelchair-accessible loop boardwalk begins at the Centre. The path is flat, made of sturdy fibre-reinforced board, and equipped with handrails Lonely PlanetWeekend Notesthefold.com.auNSW National Parks.

Rest Points: Along the walk, regular bench seats provide resting spots and opportunities to enjoy the lush canopy NSW National Parks+1.

On-Site Facilities: The Centre features flush toilets, including an accessible stall with a fold-down change table for parents and carers.

Facility Access: Toilets are located on the flat ground floor, easily reached via the accessible entrance.

Signage & Support: The Centre "welcomes people with access needs" and is designed to assist a wide range of visitors, including those with mobility, sensory, or cognitive challenges Port MacquarieNSW Government.

Café & Shop: The Rainforest Café and Gift Shop are both accessible and nestled amidst Bangalow palms—offering a restful spot to enjoy refreshments or local crafts.

Visitor Sentiment: Visitors frequently describe Sea Acres as “tranquil, informative, and wheelchair accessible,” underscoring its inclusive design Tripadvisor+1.

Lonely Planet

Weekend Notes

thefold.com.au

NSW National Parks

NSW National Parks+1

Tripadvisor+1

Sea Acres Rainforest Centre

Location: COAST Lighthouse Beach Café is located at 40 Matthew Flinders Drive, right on Lighthouse Beach—a prime spot for beach views and easy access to the waterfront. 

Parking & Drop-Off: The café is easy to reach by car, with street-level access and nearby parking suitable for drop-offs. However, there is no designated accessible parking bays.

Entry & Layout: The café is flat, ground-level, and popular for its open layout—with outdoor seating that boasts stunning beach views. Visitors often highlight the café’s scenic and casual atmosphere.

Potential Challenges: The floor is sandy so it might be slightly resistant to wheelchair and pram users. However, the staff is more than happy to assist you with comfortable seating.

COAST has nearby wheelchair-accessible public restroom facility. Which is not the cleanest but can get the job done.

Community Accessibility Context: Port Macquarie businesses with the “Access Friendly” logo are recognized for good accessibility—while COAST is not explicitly included in that list, it suggests a local culture increasingly aware of access needs. Port Macquarie Hastings Council+1

Accessible Restaurant & Cafe In Matthew Flinders DriveCOAST Lighthouse Beach

1. How to Reach Out

2. Indoors & Outdoors (Navigable Spaces)

3. Accessible Toilets

4. Extra Accessibility Features