The Mid North Coast was one swathe of the state to emerge from stay-at-home orders under relaxed restrictions at the weekend after it has largely avoided any COVID outbreaks or clusters.

People flocked to their favourite pubs, restaurants and cafes to sit and savour their preferred beverage of choice.

Their support left business owners feeling chuffed, but cautious as the relaxed rules come with a warning that lockdowns will be implemented if COVID cases emerge.

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Flower Hotels owner Alistair Flower runs many of the pubs and eateries in the region, including Settlers Inn in Port Macquarie, Hastings Hotel at Wauchope and Little Shack Kiosk in Port Macquarie.

Mr Flower labelled Saturday as a 'pub day' where everyone was once again able to visit their favourite hospitality venue.

Settlers Inn was booked close to capacity for 300 people on the night.

"I think everyone got a great dose of freedoms again," Mr Flower said.

Mr Flower commended all his staff for their work in getting the doors open to the public, given they received two days' notice regarding the lockdown ending.

The NSW roadmap out of lockdown is looking at how to keep businesses COVID-safe into the future when the entire state opens back up.

Freedoms will apply for fully vaccinated adults only. This will happen from the first Monday after the state reaches a 70 per cent double dose vaccination coverage target, which is expected in October.

Under the roadmap when the vaccine target has been reached, for venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms, the statewide re-opening rules will look like this:

Mr Flower said his venues will continue to abide by the NSW government health and safety requirements.

"We know we have to stick by the rules if we want to have these freedoms," he said.

Little Shack's assistant manager Amy Baker said it was fantastic to see a line of people ready to enter the cafe for opening on Saturday.

Miss Baker was one of the staff members forced to isolate after the business was named as an exposure site linked to a positive COVID-19 case on August 20.

Miss Baker said it was great to see community members coming back to support the business, including many of their regular customers.

Peter and Toni Doherty visited the cafe on Monday, September 13 and said they were happy to be able to sit and enjoy their coffees once again.

The couple walk to Little Shack most days, accompanied by their dog Neville.

Up the road from Little Shack in the heart of the Port Macquarie CBD, the cafes on Murray Street also experienced an influx of people through their doors over the weekend.

Casualties Espresso owner Rhia Amy described Saturday as feeling like the Christmas holiday period and said they would have doubled their normal Saturday trade.

She said the cafe would continue to adapt in line with the NSW government's health regulations.

Four Expresso owner Steve Payne said lockdown lifting on Saturday was like a "switch being flicked", where there was a sense of relief experienced by members of the public.

The Co Cafe employee Kirralee Balkin said it was great to see people enjoying their freedom.

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