Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie is a large town on the mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia, located about 390 km north of Sydney, and 570km south of Brisbane.

The town is located on the coast, south of the mouth of the Hastings River. The site of Port Macquarie was first visited by Europeans in 1820 when John Oxley reached the Pacific Ocean coast from the interior after his journey to explore inland New South Wales. He named the location after the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie. Later the town was developed, initially as a penal settlement.

General

Much of the land used to build the town's shopping centres and other structures in recent years was originally owned by the Roman Catholic Church, who many claim are in large part responsible for the town's growth and development.

Port Macquarie is a popular retirement location and popular tourist destination. It is known for its extensive pristine beaches and untouched waterways. The town is also known for its koala population, with many tourists referring to it as the Koala Capital of the world. Port Macquarie is the home of the Koala Preservation Society's Koala Hospital. The Koala Hospital cares for koalas injured through bushfire, dog attacks and collisions with vehicles.

In recent times, Port Macquarie has become more commercialised despite protest from residents, in particular the Rydges Hotel (formerly Four Points by Sheraton) built opposite the Town Green attracted much opposition. The historical Port Macquarie Post Office on the Town Green was torn down to make way for a new high rise apartment block. Town Beach also has high rise apartment complexes.

The residential suburbs stretch as far as Lighthouse Beach to the south, Thrumster to the west and Settlement Point to the north. Settlement Point now also has new canal development, being one of the most expensive real estate developments in the town. More recently, Sovereign Hills (Area 13) has begun development in the west. It will include a new school, shopping facilities and residential areas.

Beaches

Beaches include (in order from north to south): North Shore, Town Beach, Oxley Beach, Rocky Beach, Flynns Beach, Nobbys Beach, Shelly Beach, Miners Beach and Lighthouse Beach. Only Town, Flynns and Lighthouse Beaches are manned by Surf Life Saving Clubs, and Lighthouse is only watched at the north end. There is also an active surf culture with the beaches being the main tourist attraction.

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