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Major city · Australia

Long Flat

Skip as a base: Long Flat is a 30-minute fuel-and-coffee stop on the Oxley Highway between Wauchope and Walcha, not a place to sleep.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Long Flat is a village of about 120 people on the Oxley Highway, the only sealed-road stop between Wauchope and Walcha. There is no hotel strip, no beach and no reason to plan a night here: drivers use it for fuel, a break and the river park at Ellenborough, then push on to Port Macquarie or the tablelands.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Sep–Nov, Mar–May
avoid Dec–Feb (heat and holiday traffic), winter fog on the range
Airports
PQQ · SYD
Nights
0
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Long Flat000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112
  • NSW SES (floods and storms)132 500

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Long Flat, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Street or quick mealBakery pie or sandwichA$6–12 (≈ US$4–8)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM, about a weekA$15–40 (≈ US$10–30)
  • Budget bedHostel bed (Port Macquarie), a night, per personA$40 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedMotel double room (Port Macquarie or Wauchope), a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
  • High-end bedMotel double room (Port Macquarie or Wauchope), a night, per roomA$320 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$80 (≈ US$55) · Mid A$150 (≈ US$100) · High A$260 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Oxley Highway stopover between Wauchope and WalchaHastings and Ellenborough river countryEllenborough Park picnic stop
Airports
PQQ Port Macquarie Airport (About 50 km (31 mi) east; the nearest scheduled airport, with flights from Sydney) · SYD Sydney Airport (About 4 h 30 min by car via the M1 and Oxley Highway)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    28°C (82°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  5. May

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  7. Jul

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  8. Aug

    not flagged

    20°C (68°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    28°C (82°F)

Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (29°C (84°F)), coolest Jul (6°C (43°F) low), wettest Feb (13 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Long Flat: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

12 rd

Feb

28°C (82°F)

18°C (64°F)

13 rd

Mar

26°C (79°F)

16°C (61°F)

13 rd

Apr

24°C (75°F)

13°C (55°F)

11 rd

May

21°C (70°F)

10°C (50°F)

10 rd

Jun

18°C (64°F)

7°C (45°F)

9 rd

Jul

18°C (64°F)

6°C (43°F)

8 rd

Aug

20°C (68°F)

7°C (45°F)

8 rd

Sep

23°C (73°F)

9°C (48°F)

8 rd

Oct

25°C (77°F)

12°C (54°F)

10 rd

Nov

27°C (81°F)

14°C (57°F)

11 rd

Dec

28°C (82°F)

16°C (61°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need a car. The B56 Oxley Highway is the only sealed road in and out. A coach runs between Port Macquarie and Tamworth with two services each way per week, but it will not get you to the river park or anywhere off the highway.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Port Macquariego

Door to door: About 45 min

Oxley Highway east, 48 km (30 mi)

Beaches, koala hospital and the full range of beds and food.

Wauchope

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Oxley Highway east, 30 km (19 mi)

Last fuel and supermarket before the climb west.

Seal Rockscaution

Door to door: About 2 h

Drive east to the coast, then south via the Lakes Way

Better as a night on the coast than a return trip from the highway.

Bellingenovernight

Door to door: About 2 h 30 min

Drive north via the Pacific Highway

Too far for a day return; sleep there.

Gloucestercaution

Door to door: About 2 h

Drive west and north through the tablelands

Mountain roads; check conditions after rain.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Long Flat village

No motel or hotel of note; do not plan to sleep here. Check locally before relying on any accommodation.

Port Macquarie

The practical base: 48 km (30 mi) east, full range of motels and apartments.

Wauchope

30 km (19 mi) east; small-town motels and the last services before the climb.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$80–130 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
Mid
A$130–220 (≈ US$90–150) excl. bed
High
A$220 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel double room (Port Macquarie or Wauchope)1 × 1 night × A$180A$180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$150A$300
Fuel, 100 km at country prices1 × A$18 · checkA$18
Coffee and a bakery stop2 × A$12A$24
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$15A$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$55
Trip total≈ A$304 per person per day, bed includedA$607≈ US$400

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; Long Flat is a stop, not a stay, so these are the costs of the surrounding coast and tablelands.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Bakery pie or sandwichA$6–12 (≈ US$4–8)
Pub counter mealA$22–35 (≈ US$15–25)
Unleaded fuel, per litrecheck; higher in small townsA$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2)
Motel double, Port MacquarieA$120–320 (≈ US$80–250)
eSIM, about a weekA$15–40 (≈ US$10–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Low crime, high road risk. The real hazards are wildlife on the highway at dawn and dusk, wet bends on the range and summer bushfire weather: check the NSW RFS app and road closures before you drive west.
  • Fuel is limited: fill up at Wauchope or Walcha, not here.
  • The Oxley Highway has tight bends and logging trucks west of the village; allow more time than the map suggests.
  • Mobile coverage is patchy in the valleys; download offline maps before you leave the coast.
  • Kangaroos and wombats on the road at dawn and dusk.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112
NSW SES (floods and storms)
132 500

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Long FlatLong Flat

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, thanksTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112
  • NSW SES132 500

Embassy

No consulates here. Nearest consular help is in Sydney; the US and UK have consulates-general there.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Fuel, Wauchope to Long Flat and back: about A$10–15 (≈ US$7–10) (check)
  • Coach, Port Macquarie to Long Flat: about 50 min, two services a week (check)
  • Motel double, Port Macquarie: A$120–320 (≈ US$80–250) a night

Say or show

  • Where's the nearest servo? — Where is the nearest fuel?
  • Does this go to Walcha? — Is this the road to Walcha?
  • Thanks, mate — Thanks, mate
  • Card OK? — Can I pay by card?

Fuel, food and phone signal are all limited: sort them out in Wauchope or Walcha.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Long Flat. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Sep–Nov, Mar–May · avoid Dec–Feb (heat and holiday traffic), winter fog on the range · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources

Ask about Long Flat

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