If your stay at North Haven Holiday Village includes a day away from the beach, the Laurieton Riverwalk Markets and a trip to Port Macquarie both give you a change of pace.
The Laurieton Riverwalk Markets run periodically in the area, worth checking if your visit happens to line up — a good way to pick up local produce or crafts and get a sense of the community beyond the coastline itself.
Community events also run through the year in the area, worth knowing about if you’re visiting family or staying longer term and want a feel for the local calendar rather than just the beach and national park.
Port Macquarie is a short drive south and has a broader arts and culture scene if you want more than what North Haven and Laurieton offer directly — galleries, museums and a wider range of shopping and entertainment, worth the trip if you’ve got a full day to give it.
None of this is essential to why most guests choose North Haven — the coastal break or family visit is the real reason people book. But if you want a change of pace during a longer stay, the local markets and Port Macquarie are both there.
The takeaway: the Laurieton Riverwalk Markets are worth checking if your visit lines up with one, and Port Macquarie is a reasonable day trip if you want more variety than the immediate area offers.
If you’re planning the Port Macquarie trip, it’s worth setting off earlier in the day rather than later — parking and popular attractions tend to fill up as the day goes on, particularly during school holidays, so an earlier start makes for a considerably more relaxed visit.