Major city · Australia
Kew
Stop for 1–2 hours at the Big Axe and a meal if you are driving the Pacific Hwy; skip it as a base unless you need a cheap motel bed.
Kew is a small highway town of about 1,100 people on the Mid-North Coast, roughly 30 minutes north of Taree and 15 minutes south of the Port Macquarie turnoff. Its one landmark is the 8 m Big Axe beside the visitor centre. Almost nobody visits without a car, and one short stop covers it.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Sep–Nov, Mar–May
- avoid Dec–Jan (school holidays, highway traffic and heat)
- Airports
- PQQ · SYD
- Nights
- 0–1
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
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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 Kew000 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
- Kew Visitor Information Centre+61 2 6559 4400
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 Kew, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA quiet highway town with no notable crime problem.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles · +61 2 6559 4400 Kew Visitor Information Centre
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPQQ Port Macquarie Airport (About 30 min south by car; QantasLink and Rex flights from Sydney).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: Kew is on the A1 Pacific Hwy with exits on both sides, and the nearest train station is in Kendall…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Beerschooner at the pub / can at a bottle shopA$6–9 (≈ US$4–6)A$4–7 (≈ US$3–5)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedPub room (Royal Hotel), a night, per roomA$100 (≈ US$70)
- Mid-range bedMotel room (Kew Motel), a night, per roomA$150 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedMotel room (Kew Motel), a night, per roomA$200 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$80 (≈ US$55) · Mid A$140 (≈ US$95) · High A$220 (≈ US$150)
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.
- Airports
- PQQ Port Macquarie Airport (About 30 min south by car; QantasLink and Rex flights from Sydney) · SYD Sydney Airport (About 4.5–5 h drive north on the M1 and Pacific Hwy)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jul (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Mar (14 rain days), driest Aug (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kew: 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)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
14 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 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
A car is effectively required: Kew is on the A1 Pacific Hwy with exits on both sides, and the nearest train station is in Kendall, about a 30-minute walk. The town itself is a single main street, Nancy Bird Walton Dr, so once parked you can walk between the visitor centre, the Big Axe and the pub in a few minutes, though the road is not especially pedestrian-friendly.
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: About 20–25 min
Drive north on the Pacific Hwy to the Port Macquarie turnoff
Beaches, koala hospital and the best food and beds in the area.
Door to door: About 15–20 min
Drive east on Ocean Dr and Kendall Rd
Riverside town with lookouts over the Camden Haven inlet.
Taree
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive south on the Pacific Hwy
Service town for fuel, supermarkets and supplies; little for a sightseeing day.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Drive south then east via the Lakes Way
Long for a day return; better as an overnight on the coast.
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.
Nancy Bird Walton Dr (main street)
The Kew Motel and the Royal Hotel sit here, a few minutes apart; everything in town is walkable from this strip.
Laurieton and North Haven
About 15–20 min east; more beds, the Camden Haven river and beaches, better as an overnight base.
Port Macquarie
About 20–25 min north; a full town with the widest choice of accommodation and food.
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
- Budget
- A$80–130 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$130–200 (≈ US$90–140) excl. bed
- High
- A$200 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room (Kew Motel)1 × 1 night × A$150 | A$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$140 | A$280 |
| Fuel, top-up at Kew or Laurieton1 × A$60 | A$60 |
| Pub meal and a drink2 × A$35 | A$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$61 |
| Trip total≈ A$336 per person per day, bed included | A$671≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Pub meal (counter or bistro) | A$20–35 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Beer: schooner at the pub / can at a bottle shop | A$6–9 (≈ US$4–6) / A$4–7 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Fuel, unleaded per litre | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
| Motel room, double | A$110–200 (≈ US$75–140) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Highway town: without a car you are stranded; the Kendall train station is about a 30-minute walk.
- The main street is not pedestrian-friendly; watch for traffic and trucks when crossing.
- Very limited food and fuel options after dark; plan your stop earlier in the day.
- Summer school holidays bring heavy Pacific Hwy traffic and booked-out coastal motels.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
- Kew Visitor Information Centre
- +61 2 6559 4400
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KewKew
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
- Kew Visitor Information Centre+61 2 6559 4400
Embassy
No embassies in Kew; consulates-general are in Sydney. US, UK, Canada and New Zealand travellers should register with their embassy in Canberra or Sydney.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Drive Kew → Port Macquarie: about 20–25 min on the Pacific Hwy
- Drive Kew → Taree: about 30 min south on the Pacific Hwy
- Drive Kew → Sydney: about 4.5–5 h south on the M1 and Pacific Hwy
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there fuel nearby? — Is there fuel nearby?
English is the working language; no phrasebook needed.
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 Kew. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Nov, Mar–May · avoid Dec–Jan (school holidays, highway traffic and heat) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Highway-stop contract for Kew: Big Axe and visitor centre hours field-checked, parking and turnaround, meal window.
- Walking cluster on Nancy Bird Walton Dr with rescue anchors: visitor centre, Big Axe, Kew Motel, Royal Hotel.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Big Axe, visitor centre) and eat pages with last orders.
- Hostile arrival fixtures (dark, rain, no car) so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Kew
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