Shelly Beach
Shelly Beach
4.5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
274 within 5 kms
Attractions
54 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
6
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
stinkwink
Sydney, Australia7 254 contributions
Feb 2021
We accidentally found Shelly Beach as we headed to the Sea Acres Rainforest Center. Taking a wrong turn, we luckily ended up on this lovely beach that is part of the Coastal Walk. The wooden statue of the artist Harry Thompson, sculpted by Stephen King, immediately caught my eyes when we visited this beach. We later found that the artist’s wooden sculptures adorn the city in several places. We could enjoy a rare sunny afternoon. Among the many rainy days, there was finally a long-coveted refreshment walk on the beach. We weren’t the only visitors since the sunshine and the waves running on the sandy shore attracted many bathers to the deservedly popular Shelly Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches surrounding Port Macquarie.
Written 30 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11 171 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Shelly Beach is one of my two favourite Port Macquarie Beaches (alongside Flynn’s).
There’s so much to love about it.
It’s a classic Australian surf beach with rolling waves and a long stretch of almost white sand but it also has a natural tidal lagoon.
It’s surrounded by thick natural bushland which gives it a secluded feel. From time to time you giant native goannas appear from the bush. They look like something left over from the ancient world, like mini-dinosaurs. Lovely as this sounds, you actually need to give them a wide berth and don’t try to get too close a photo.
The grassy area at the back of the sand has shady trees, picnic tables and public BBQs.
An unexpected feature here is the unusual memorial to Harry Thomson, an eccentric, local who made Shelly Beach his home for 40 years. He came to be much-loved by other locals and when Council tried to evict him, they had his back. He was allowed to stay on as ‘caretaker’ of the beach and was even elected (unofficially) as Mayor of Shelly Beach. His story is told in a series of artworks and sculptures along the beach he loved.
From a practical point of view, Shelly Beach has basic facilities including change rooms, showers and toilets and free car-parking but there’s no kiosk and the beach is not patrolled.
It’s easiest to get here by car but it’s not impossible to walk. It’s not that far out of the town centre. If like us, you’re doing the Port Macquarie Coastal Walking Trail, then Shelly’s is beach #6.
There’s so much to love about it.
It’s a classic Australian surf beach with rolling waves and a long stretch of almost white sand but it also has a natural tidal lagoon.
It’s surrounded by thick natural bushland which gives it a secluded feel. From time to time you giant native goannas appear from the bush. They look like something left over from the ancient world, like mini-dinosaurs. Lovely as this sounds, you actually need to give them a wide berth and don’t try to get too close a photo.
The grassy area at the back of the sand has shady trees, picnic tables and public BBQs.
An unexpected feature here is the unusual memorial to Harry Thomson, an eccentric, local who made Shelly Beach his home for 40 years. He came to be much-loved by other locals and when Council tried to evict him, they had his back. He was allowed to stay on as ‘caretaker’ of the beach and was even elected (unofficially) as Mayor of Shelly Beach. His story is told in a series of artworks and sculptures along the beach he loved.
From a practical point of view, Shelly Beach has basic facilities including change rooms, showers and toilets and free car-parking but there’s no kiosk and the beach is not patrolled.
It’s easiest to get here by car but it’s not impossible to walk. It’s not that far out of the town centre. If like us, you’re doing the Port Macquarie Coastal Walking Trail, then Shelly’s is beach #6.
Written 19 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danks Knows
Shoalhaven, Australia2 261 contributions
Jul 2020
Shelly Beach is just south of Port Macquarie CBD. There is ample parking at the beach and public toilets. The beach is not patrolled. There is a lookout above Shelly Beach: Harry’s Lookout, that offers exceptional views of the beach.
The beach is part of an extensive coastal walk out to Tacking Point Lighthouse. A great place to visit.
The beach is part of an extensive coastal walk out to Tacking Point Lighthouse. A great place to visit.
Written 25 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia29 082 contributions
May 2021
Shelly Beach is a pretty stretch of the coastline below the Sea Acres National Park and south of Nobby Head. This is some of the prettiest and more interesting stretches of the coast.
Written 19 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sdknp
Sydney, Australia14 contributions
Aug 2020
Beach combing, and wading in the shallows and pools. Easy connection to town and coastal walks. Could become crowded in peak times.
Written 5 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael-4551
Caloundra, Australia5 532 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
Visited on Saturday 9th February. Shelly Beach is away from the main part of town, best if you have a car otherwise use the coastal walking trach to get there.
Written 24 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dinamum
Sydney, Australia112 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
We walked from Flynns beach on the coastal walk to Shelly beach a lovely clean beach and on towards Sea Acres.
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darrin R
Newcastle, Australia979 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Another nice beach but a few rocks that can make it very difficult to navigate whilst swimming, Parking limited
Written 3 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gaye L
Scarborough, Australia27 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
Beautiful sea views and the colors of the water were lovely. Went for a walk along the shallows very relaxing.
Written 16 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bharat I
Sydney, Australia217 contributions
Jan 2023
nice beach..for the coastal walk..There are other beaches like the Town beach, Flynns, Lake Cathie, etc..recommended
Written 10 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing