At Charles Sturt University, we’re regional – and we’re proud of it. Our campuses are in some of Australia’s fastest growing regional cities, including Port Macquarie. Located on the mid-north coast of New South Wales (NSW), Port Macquarie (shortened to ‘Port’ by locals) is a uni student’s dream. Port is vibrant, multicultural and exciting, with plenty to see and do. The laid-back coastal city has a ‘no worries’ attitude and a friendly, welcoming community. So when you go to university in Port Macquarie, you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous beaches and typical Aussie wildlife (Port is known for its koala population).
As far as campuses go, Port Mac is brand spankin’ new. Our first intake of students was in March 2012 and we haven’t looked back since. It was an exciting time, because it represented a new chapter for us (and our students) – our first coastal campus. It gave students from inland and regional areas the chance to study near the beach, and local students the option to access world-class higher education in their own backyard.
Ready to find out why Port Macquarie is the perfect choice for you? Read on, friends.
You’ll study by the beach. Need we say more?
The beautiful beaches of Port Macquarie alone should be enough to lure you here, right?
If you’re from inland Australia and have never had the opportunity to live by the beach – now’s your chance. There’s just something about the chilled lifestyle that comes from living by the coast. Imagine waking up of a morning, diving into the ocean for a quick morning swim, then heading off to your classes for the day. It’s a sought-after lifestyle – and it could be yours.
On top of our world-famous beaches, Port is also home to the Hastings River and a canal system, both of which are used by locals for different water activities. Canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding – if you can do it on water, you can do it on our canals. The water quality is top notch, and both bodies of water are home to a beautiful marine environment filled with fish and sea grasses.
We live here, we love it. And we think you will too.
The ‘retirement village’ rep doesn’t stick.
We’ve all heard the ‘Port Macquarie is a total retirement village’ line. And we’re here to call it out as FAKE NEWS (sorry, we had to…). While we do have plenty of older people getting around Port, the city itself is the complete opposite of a retirement village. We’ve evolved to be so much more than that. We’ve experienced a rebirth – and it could have a lot to do with the influx of young people studying at Charles Sturt University.
Here in Port Macquarie, you’ll find a vibrant community hub offering the best of metro life in the regions. Things like Tastings on Hastings (a local foodie festival), live music at The Beach House (a traditional Aussie pub nestled right on the water) and The Foreshore Market (a vibrant marketplace for local artists and artisans to showcase) all contribute to Port’s buzzing vibe.
In Port Macquarie, you’ll always find something to do. From our dynamic art and music scene, chilled-out cafés and eclectic markets, to our restaurants, breweries and small bars, you’ll find that living in Port is the furthest thing from a retirement village.
Start your career in Port Macquarie
When you live and study in the regions, there’s plenty of opportunities to kickstart your career. Bosses love regional grads – so when you study with us you’ve got a pretty good chance of landing your dream job. Charles Sturt graduates arrive at their first job perfectly prepared and ready to get down to business. That’s because we make sure that from day one of your course you get to put your learning into action with practical experience.
Also, with the expansion of our job-ready program, Earn As You Learn (EAYL), into Port Macquarie, you’ve got an even greater chance of setting yourself up for career success. EAYL helps students gain practical skills while earning an income – so you can get ready to apply for casual or part-time work that fits around your studies. You’ll be connected with local Port Macquarie employers and begin to build your skill set and networks – both major positives when it comes time for graduation.
Get connected to global organisations in Port Macquarie. Global tech firm Axiom Connected is opening its Australian headquarters at the Innovation Hub on our Port Macquarie campus in 2022. This partnership strengthens Charles Sturt University’s teaching and research capability in IT and will provide graduate employment opportunities for students in UI/UX design, development, programming and business analysis. It’s just one more reason to enrol in the Bachelor of Information Technology at Port Macquarie.
The best student accommodation you’ve ever seen
When you’re choosing where to study, the cost of living can play a big part in your ultimate decision. Living in metro areas like Sydney or Melbourne sounds great in theory, but they come with a big price tag. But you don’t need to study in a city to live your best life…
Studying with Charles Sturt University at Port Macquarie means you’ll experience living and learning in a relaxed coastal community – and save a whole lotta money while you’re doing it. Housing, transport, food, entertainment – even a beer at the pub – is much more affordable in the regions.
The other major drawcard about living in Port is the top-notch student accommodation we have at Charles Sturt University. As we mentioned earlier, the Port Macquarie campus is brand new – and so is our Hastings Village student accommodation. Everything you need to live and succeed at uni is located within the village, so you’ll never want to leave! From a tiny $230 a week, you’ll get a brand-new fully furnished room, plus access to kitchen facilities and common rooms, utilities, internet, maintenance, laundry and 24-hour security. You don’t even need a bond. You’ll need to sort out your own meals, but that’s no biggie. You’re just a one minute to walk to class, and a two-minute walk across the campus carpark to a large supermarket and restaurants and cafés. If you live on-res at Hastings, you’re #blessed.
Check out Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie
If you want to learn more about what it’s really like going to university in Port Macquarie, get in touch with our friendly team to learn more. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Port Macquarie soon!