
Whalebone Wharf Seafood Restaurant
Iconic waterfront seafood restaurant with a beach-house vibe and stunning river views.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Whalebone Wharf Seafood Restaurant

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Iconic waterfront seafood restaurant with a beach-house vibe and stunning river views.
"The food is top shelf & the team just nails it. The location is pretty much paradise."
Reserve a Riverside Table
Request a table by the water when booking to enhance your dining experience.
Kid-Friendly Service
Expect attentive service for young children, with meals prioritized.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+61 2 6583 2334
Address
269 Hastings River Dr, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, Australia
Website
whalebonewharf.com.au/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Riverside Serenity
Enjoy a tranquil riverside setting perfect for relaxation, with beautiful water views.

Fresh Seafood Delights
Indulge in standout dishes like fresh oysters and delightful salads.

Charming Beach-House Ambiance
Experience a breezy beach-house vibe with white, rattan, and blonde wood decor.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reserve a Riverside Table
Request a table by the water when booking to enhance your dining experience.
Kid-Friendly Service
Expect attentive service for young children, with meals prioritized.
Peak Time Ambiance
Be prepared for potential noise during busy periods due to the lively atmosphere.
Fresh Catch Daily
Enjoy daily market fish prepared in various styles; taste the difference of fresh seafood.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reserve a Riverside Table
Request a table by the water when booking to enhance your dining experience.
Kid-Friendly Service
Expect attentive service for young children, with meals prioritized.
Peak Time Ambiance
Be prepared for potential noise during busy periods due to the lively atmosphere.
Fresh Catch Daily
Enjoy daily market fish prepared in various styles; taste the difference of fresh seafood.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Whalebone Wharf offers a delightful waterfront dining experience with fresh, high-quality seafood and attentive service. Diners rave about the stunning river views and the overall ambiance, though some note that certain dishes like scallops and seafood chowder can be underwhelming in portion or flavor, and noise levels can rise during peak hours. Despite minor critiques, the restaurant is celebrated for its excellent value and memorable coastal dining.
"Got to say one of the best restaurants I have ever been to.. i had the salmon sensational. the mushroom side was out of this world... I would definitely recommend..."
Jodi Lopez
"This is a charming spot by the water, perfect for those who enjoy a tranquil riverside setting. While we couldn’t secure a table right by the water, we still felt close to the serene beauty of the river. The atmosphere is excellent, though it can get a bit noisy when the restaurant is full—our little one certainly contributed to the lively ambiance!
The service was great. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, understanding the challenges of dining with young kids. He thoughtfully prioritized our child’s meal, which we really appreciated. On the other hand, a large man in an apron—possibly the owner or manager—came across as a bit cold and brusque, which was a minor letdown. We had a brief interaction with him at the start. The only time I saw he smiled tiny bit while we were there was when he took order from a group of men.
As for the food, it was good but didn’t quite meet the expectations for a restaurant of this caliber. The oysters were the standout dish—fresh and delicious. However, the scallops, though tasty, were disappointingly small, with one being about a quarter the size of what we’ve had elsewhere. The fish was well-cooked, but the seafood chowder leaned more toward a potato soup. The lettuce salad was a pleasant surprise and very enjoyable. I also ordered a margarita, which looked fantastic but was just average in taste—though great margaritas in Australia are rare outside of authentic Mexican establishments.
Pricing is very reasonable (~$120 per head including drinks), especially given the beautiful views and overall atmosphere.
Overall, we had a lovely experience and are glad we visited. While it’s not a place we’d rush back to, it’s worth a try for the view and ambiance."
Annie Tan
"The food was okay but did not quite meet our expectations. The steak quality was a bit disappointing and might not be the best choice for medium cooking, especially for kids. However, the environment and vibe were excellent, and the service was very friendly and welcoming."
Billy Chan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for a better chance at securing a table by the water, consider making reservations in advance and specifying your preference.
Yes, expect friendly and attentive service that prioritizes kids' meals.
Standout dishes include fresh oysters, the seafood platter, and the daily market fish.
The lively ambiance can lead to increased noise levels during peak times. [^data.tips[2]]
Yes, the menu changes every two weeks, though popular favorites are often maintained.
Pricing is considered very reasonable for the quality of food and the beautiful views.
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Another modern seafood restaurant with an impressive wine list is Whalebone Wharf, nestled on the banks of the Hastings River in Port Macquarie. The décor has a breezy beach-house vibe with plenty of white, rattan and blonde wood, while the lunch to dinner menu has a classic seafood line-up of calamari, king prawns, cured hiramasa kingfish and daily market fish offered crumbed, beer battered, pan-fried, roasted or steamed. Punchy salads and warm vegetable sides round out the offering and you’ll find Cassegrain Seasons Spring Rosé on the menu – the perfect sun-downer with the seafood platter for two.
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Whalebone Wharf - picture yourself sitting here enjoying water views whilst dining on fresh seafood and modern fusion cuisine. Award winning executive chef Peter Ridland and his team pride themselves on an exceptional high standard of flavour, freshness and quality. Once you have decided whether to dine there for lunch or dinner, you can spoil your significant other with fresh Lobsters from the tank, share a magnificent seafood platter or other delicious fare.
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Another restaurant that puts you right on the water is the Whalebone Wharf. Perched on the Hastings River, this airy space has been serving up premium seafood since 1971. Every fish on the menu is described according to its source, so you know if you're getting mulloway from Yamba (300 kilometres north); dusky flathead from Wallace Lake (750 kilometres south); or mud crab from Forster (100 kilometres south).
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If you’re looking for Port Macquarie’s best seafood, Whalebone Wharf is iconic within the region, known for it’s fresh and delicious produce and unbeatable waterfront views. Of course, a holiday is not complete without a night of carb loading on Italian food, which is why it’s essential to visit the culinary geniuses at Delizioso for a feed of wood-fired pizzas, house-made pasta or delicious veal schnitzels.
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Whalebone Wharf, which has been nestled on the picturesque banks of the Hastings River since 1971, is brimming with coastal-chic decor. It's the ideal spot to set up camp for a long lunch and take in the beautiful views of the river. Serving fresh seafood, delicious cocktails and modern fusion cuisine, soak up the good food and the equally superb views and thank us later.
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Another of the iconic Port Macquarie restaurants is Whalebone. Perched on the banks of the Hastings River, this eatery has been in action for a good 40 years, and is currently led by Executive Chef Peter Ridland (formerly of the equally admired Jonah’s on Whale Beach). Tuck into its seafood-focused fine dining while you enjoy unrivalled views of the river out front.
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There’s nothing quite like dining by the water at Whalebone Wharf in Port Macquarie. The seafood restaurant is one of the best in Port Macquarie for its envious location on the banks of the Hastings River. Established in 1971, the waterfront diner is a landmark destination that rises above the river’s choppy shores where paddleboarders and kayakers pootle past.
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No introduction is necessary for this Port Mac icon, which holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors who are in the know. The nautical chic white boathouse perches over the Hastings River, boasting spectacular river views. To arrive in true style, you can drop in by sea plane or helicopter.
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For the ultimate waterfront dining experience, the recently renovated Whalebone Wharf will impress. Established for over 40 years and nestled over the Hastings River, this is a must do destination. Executive Hatted Chef Peter Ridland takes pride in providing you with world class, fresh, honest food.
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More upscale is Whalebone Wharf, nestled on the banks of the Hastings River. The views alone are worth visiting for – the seafood offers reason to linger. Order seafood chowder, grilled octopus, ocean trout rillette – or go the whole hog with an over-the-top seafood platter.
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Sea food and eat it at beautiful waterside spot, Whalebone Wharf. The best of the sea is about to hit your plate, with everything from Kilpatrick oysters to seafood chowder and fresh Atlantic salmon. Hot tip: arrive early to nab a window seat over the Hastings River!
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Nestled over the banks of the Hastings River, the Whalebone Wharf is Port Macquarie’s premier seafood restaurant. Established for over...

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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit