Tacking Point Tavern

Tacking Point Tavern is the local in the Lighthouse Beach pocket of Port Macquarie, a modern suburban pub at 102A Ocean Drive with an outdoor area that takes dogs. Handy if you want a meal and a drink after a Lighthouse Beach walk without driving back into town.

The dog setup. Dogs are welcome in the designated outdoor seating and courtyard, not inside the bar or restaurant. The outdoor tables sit at ground level off the car park, so access is easy with a larger dog. Staff are accommodating, but bring your own bowl as it is a busy venue and water is not guaranteed.

Good to know. It runs a broad bistro menu of pub classics, seafood and salads, and it leans family-friendly with a kids play area and sport on the screens. Expect a relaxed local crowd rather than a quiet corner.

Getting there. It is on Ocean Drive, the main road out to the Lighthouse Beach area, with a free on-site car park and flat access to the outdoor section.

Nearby with the dogs. Lighthouse Beach is minutes away, a long stretch of sand with off-leash zones (check the signage for the boundaries and times). The Port Macquarie coastal walk and Tacking Point Lighthouse lookout are both close for a short leg-stretch.

When to go. Quieter on weekday afternoons; weekends and school holidays fill up with families. Good for sociable dogs that settle near a busy table.

Sources

• Dog Friendly Activities in Port Macquarie | Hampshire Holidays · portmacquarierentalvillage.com.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.