Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is preparing a master plan to guide improvements to the so-called doctor’s walk over the next few years. 

Once complete, the master plan will also be used by council to attract potential funding opportunities from a number of sources. What do you think of the coastal walk? Take our survey at the bottom of this story.

Port Macquarie’s Kylie van-der-Ley is a regular user of the walk and says she has a few ideas on how to improve the walk.

“I think the section from Oxley Beach up to Windmill Hill needs some attention,” she said.

“There is a section of stone work where running is almost always running across the path making it sometimes difficult to navigate.

“And the path also narrows up a little bit, so the bush probably needs some attention as well.

“A lot of people use this particular section so it does not some work.”

Mrs van-der-Ley also said that while there is some good seating, it needs some kind of shelter.

“If you are walking along and want to have a seat, it is not possible on really sunny days because of the heat,” she added.

She also suggested more signage including distances between points would assist people determine how far they would continue to walk the path.

Mrs van-der-Ley said she uses the picturesque path as a look out for whales and dolphins and also fitness.

“We try to get out on most weekends to take a nice and relaxing walk. But there are always lots of people out either for a walk or for fitness,” she added.

The 9.1 kilometre coastal walk leads from Westport Park along the beautiful Hastings River and the breakwall. It continues along the coastline to the Tacking Point Lighthouse.

It currently hugs the coastline although some sections include beach walking and some bush tracks.

The walk is popular with walkers, runners, sightseers and photographers.

It has also been a vantage point to whale watch.

The survey wants to find out how you use the walk, if you have a favourite section and if you believe the walk could be improved.

The Port News survey ends on May 26. Feedback to council ends on May 28.