Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie, one of New South Wales' premier coastal cities, lies at the mouth of the Hastings River and at the eastern end of the Oxley Highway. Originally established as a convict settlement in the early 1820's, the town grew in the 1830's once much of the surrounding area was opened up for free settlers. By the late 1840's, the convict settlement had been phased out and as port operations were minimal due to the shallow bar at the Hastings River mouth, the town's industries shifted towards timber, fishing and sugar. Growth stagnated up until the 1960's until the town boomed as a popular tourist and retirement destination such that it was proclaimed a city in the 1980's and has now become an important regional centre in the state. The city centre has grown into a tourist haven as it features a large shopping & cafe precinct, an abundance of accommodation, great vantage points to the north and outstanding foreshore parkland along the Hastings River. Of interest in the area include several beaches along the east coast, Tacking Point Lighthouse & lookout, Flagstaff Maritime Museum (1km east), Cassegrain Winery, Nobby's Head (3km south) and Sea Acres Rainforest Centre (5km south). A recommended holiday destination.

Population: 42,600
State: New South Wales
Name Origin: Named after Lachlan Macquarie (governor of NSW at the time of settlement)
Pronunciation: Port Ma-quarry
Postcode: 2444
Local Government: Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Location: 406km north of Sydney
Main Roads: Pacific Highway (10km west) , Oxley Highway
Main Watercourses: Hastings River, South Pacific Ocean
Radio Stations (Music): Star FM (105.1 & 102.3), Max FM (107.3), 2MC-FM (106.7), Triple J (91.5)

Photos from Port Macquarie (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Clarence Street, looking west from Horton St, Port Macquarie (2005).

Clarence Street, looking west from Hay St, Port Macquarie (2005).

Clarence Street again, this time looking west towards Munster Street, Port Macquarie (2005).

Gordon Street (Oxley Hwy), looking west from Horton St in Port Macquarie (2005).

Horton Street, looking south from Clarence Street, Port Macquarie (2005).

Horton Street again, this time looking south from William Street, Port Macquarie (2005).

Short Street, looking north towards Clarence Street, Port Macquarie (2005).

Port Macquarie Town Green, looking west with the Hastings River in the distance (2005).

Looking north across the Town Green, Hastings River and North Shore in the distance, Port Macquarie (2005).

Similar photo, although this time taken before the drought, Port Macquarie (2002).

Stewart Street, looking west from Lord Street, Port Macquarie (2005).

Looking east across to the town beach from Stewart Street, Port Macquarie (2005).

Looking north-west over the Town Beach parkland, Hastings River and North Shore from Stewart Street, Port Macquarie (2005).

Lord Street, looking south approaching William Street with Transit Hill in the distance, Port Macquarie (2005).

Gordon Street (Oxley Hwy), looking west from Horton St in Port Macquarie (2005).

Kennedy Drive, looking south from Parklands Ave, again with Transit Hill in the distance, Port Macquarie (2005).

Pacific Drive, looking west from Sangalay Drive, Port Macquarie (2005).

Heading south-west on the Oxley Hwy approaching the Widderson St roundabout, Port Macquarie (2005).

Lighthouse Beach, looking south-west from Tacking Point lookout, Port Macquarie (2005).

	Clarence Street, looking west from Horton St, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Clarence Street, looking west from Hay St, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Clarence Street again, this time looking west towards Munster Street, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Gordon Street (Oxley Hwy), looking west from Horton St in Port Macquarie (2005).
	Horton Street, looking south from Clarence Street, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Horton Street again, this time looking south from William Street, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Short Street, looking north towards Clarence Street, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Port Macquarie Town Green, looking west with the Hastings River in the distance (2005).
	Looking north across the Town Green, Hastings River and North Shore in the distance, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Similar photo, although this time taken before the drought, Port Macquarie (2002).
	Stewart Street, looking west from Lord Street, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Looking east across to the town beach from Stewart Street, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Looking north-west over the Town Beach parkland, Hastings River and North Shore from Stewart Street, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Lord Street, looking south approaching William Street with Transit Hill in the distance, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Gordon Street (Oxley Hwy), looking west from Horton St in Port Macquarie (2005).
	Kennedy Drive, looking south from Parklands Ave, again with Transit Hill in the distance, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Pacific Drive, looking west from Sangalay Drive, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Heading south-west on the Oxley Hwy approaching the Widderson St roundabout, Port Macquarie (2005).
	Lighthouse Beach, looking south-west from Tacking Point lookout, Port Macquarie (2005).