Port Macquarie retiree Sue Hewes summed up the Lighthouse Road improvements as fabulous.

The Lighthouse Road upgrade from Matthew Flinders Drive through to Tacking Point Lighthouse officially opened on September 5.

Mrs Hewes said it was previously very difficult negotiating the way out due to the narrow road which made passing tough.

"The condition of the road was so appalling and now it's really easy to get in and out," she said.

"The pedestrians don't have to walk on the road any more which is so much better and safer.

"The little car park looks great and I like the bollards."

Pedestrian access is safer with a footpath from Davis Crescent through to the elevated viewing platform and finding a car park is easier thanks to marked parking spots in the lighthouse's lower car park.

The work included the widening and resurfacing of Lighthouse Road from Matthew Flinders Drive through to the lighthouse, the installation of kerb and guttering and the replacement of stormwater services.

The project received joint funding of $540,000 from the federal government through the Building Better Regions Fund and $1.04 million contributed by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council as a cash contribution of $540,000 and an in-kind amount of $500,000.

Mrs Hewes said the improvements showed to visitors that the council looked after tourist spots well.

"Considering this is probably the best whale watching spot of all time, it's really good for the locals too," she said.

Visitor Helen Wright said the lighthouse area was nice and easy to use.

"It [the upgrade] will be a great asset to the area because I know lots of visitors come here in the summer time," she said.

"Having the protected pathway would have to be a lot safer for pedestrians."

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