Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie was founded in 1821 as a penal settlement for reoffenders, and traces remain in the courthouse, the convict-built St Thomas church and the historic cemetery, though the town's identity now is a holiday one. Its best-known institution is the Koala Hospital, opened in 1973 and the first of its kind, which treats sick and injured animals and lets visitors see those in care, particularly at the afternoon feeding. Along the harbour breakwall, thousands of rocks have been painted by visitors over decades, forming an unofficial rolling artwork. Nine beaches line the coast within a short drive, linked by a coastal walk with headland lookouts, and whales pass close inshore in season.

History

The town lies in Birpai country, where large clans lived at King's Creek, Blackman's Point, Camden Haven and Rolland's Plains in domed huts that could hold ten people, and they called the place Guruk. John Oxley reached the coast here from the interior in 1818, the first documented British visit, and named it after Governor Lachlan Macquarie, noting the many people and the abundance of fish, kangaroos and wildfowl. In April 1821 it was founded as a penal settlement for convicts who reoffended, replacing Newcastle, its isolation and hard labour enforced with floggings and leg irons, until June 1832 (Wikipedia, Port Macquarie).

What to look for

• The Koala Hospital - the world's first koala hospital, with animals in care.
• The painted breakwall - thousands of rocks painted by visitors along the harbour.
• The coastal walk - a nine-kilometre route linking headlands and beaches.
• The convict-era buildings - the courthouse, cemetery and St Thomas church.

When to go

September to May for beach weather; whales pass from May to November and are visible from the headlands. School holidays fill accommodation. Summer is warm and humid with afternoon storms.

Practical notes

The koala hospital relies on donations and the number of animals visible varies; it moved through a major redevelopment in recent years. Koala populations in the region were badly hit by the 2019 fires. The town is a busy holiday centre in summer, and beaches carry rips.

Nearby

South West Rocks lies north; the Camden Haven and Ellenborough Falls are south and inland.

Key facts