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Port Macquarie, locally nicknamed Port,^[2] is a coastal city^[3] the local government area of Port Macquarie-Hastings. It is located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia, about 390 km (242 mi) north of Sydney, and 570 km (354 mi) south of Brisbane. The city is located on the Tasman Sea coast, at the mouth of the Hastings River, and at the eastern end of the Oxley Highway (B56). The city with its suburbs had a population of 47,973 in June 2018^[4] and an estimated population of 50,307 in June 2023.^[5]

History

Indigenous

Port Macquarie sits within Birpai (Biripi, Bripi, Biripai, Birrbay) country, and the Birpai people are recognised as the traditional custodians of the land on which Port Macquarie is located.^[6] Port Macquarie was long known to the Birpai people as Guruk.^[7] The Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council provides positive support, information and responsible governance for the Aboriginal community, while also cultivating strong links with the broader community.^[8]

Before British colonisation, large clans of Birpai people resided in and around Port Macquarie, particularly at places such as King’s Creek, Blackman’s Point, Camden Haven and Rolland’s Plains. They lived in large domed huts which provided protection against the region’s heavy rains and were capable of accommodating up to ten people.^[9]

Population

In 1847, the population was 819, of whom 599 were males and 220 were female.^[31] The gender disparity was probably due to the penal station there at the time.

According to the 2021 census, there were 50,193 people in Port Macquarie urban area^[32] and 86,762 in the local government area.

The estimated urban population of Port Macquarie has grown 1.8% on prior year and from 41,496 over the prior decade. Port Macquarie is expected to be the fastest growing place in New South Wales. The town is expected to grow from an estimated 43,655 people in 2009 to 58,888 in 2027.^[33]

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 5.3% of the population.
• 80.9% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were England 4.5%, New Zealand 1.6%, Philippines 0.6%, India 0.6% and South Africa 0.5%.
• 90.1% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 0.3%, Nepali 0.3%, German 0.2%, Spanish 0.2%, and Tagalog 0.2%.
• The most common responses for religion were No Religion 37.7%, Catholic 21.7% and Anglican 18.0%.^[34]

General

Port Macquarie is a coastal destination, known for its extensive beaches and waterways. The town is also known for its koala population, being the home to the Billabong Zoo (a wildlife park and koala breeding centre) and the Koala Preservation Society’s Koala Hospital, caring for koalas injured through bushfire, dog attacks and collisions with vehicles.^[35]

In 2016 the war memorial was relocated from Town Green to its original location at the intersection of Clarence and Horton Streets.^[36]

The residential suburbs stretch to Lighthouse Beach in the south, Thrumster to the west and to North Shore, on the northern bank of the river. In July 2010, Sovereign Hills began development in the west.

Port Macquarie was found to be the least affordable smaller market in Australia by Demographia’s 2013 International Housing Affordability Survey.^[37]

Sister and friendship cities

• Handa, Aichi, Japan

Suburbs and localities

Central business district

Port Macquarie’s central business district contains two shopping centres, many specialty stores, a marina, and the starting point for the 9 km coastal walk, a scenic walking trail that travels from Westport Park, through the Port Macquarie CBD to Tacking Point Lighthouse. The Glasshouse, a centrally located arts, conference and entertainment centre, includes a visitor-information facility. Bus services link the town with Laurieton, Wauchope, Kempsey, Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills.

The main shopping centre Port Central, sits next to the Glasshouse, a hub of culture and entertainment, boasting a 594-seat theatre, performance and art studio, gallery, visitor information centre, shop and theatre bar.

One of Australia’s largest internet finance comparison websites, Credit Card Compare, now called Finty, was founded in Port Macquarie by Andrew and David Boyd.^[38]

Transit Hill

Transit Hill to the south is crowned by telecommunication towers. The district is the site of two arterial roads which provide a direct link between Lighthouse Beach and Port Macquarie CBD. The main intersection of Pacific and Kennedy Drive is situated midway up Transit Hill. It is an area of high-priced real estate owing to ocean and city views. Transit Hill borders Lighthouse Beach, Dahlsford, Shelly Beach and Waniora.

Sovereign Hills

Sovereign Hills is a newer development in Port Macquarie, between the locality of Thrumster to the east, and the Pacific Highway to the west. Its development is currently managed by the Lewis Land Group. Most recent press releases have suggested that the area will have around 2500 homes when complete.^[39]

St Joseph’s Regional College moved from its previous location on Warlters Street to Sovereign Hills in 2009.^[40] A town centre is planned for opening in 2019, and has been advertised to initially include a supermarket, pharmacy and a café.^[41] The local organisation Hastings Co-Op has announced that they will operate the supermarket to be built in this new town centre.^[42]

Beaches and attractions

Beaches (in order from north to south) are: North Shore, Town Beach, Oxley Beach, Rocky Beach, Flynns Beach, Nobbys Beach, Shelly Beach, Miners Beach (unofficial clothing-optional^[43]) and Lighthouse Beach. Only Town, Flynns and Lighthouse Beaches are staffed by Surf Life Saving Clubs. Lighthouse Beach is patrolled at only the northern end. Dogs can be walked off-leash at Lighthouse Beach, south of Watonga Rocks, excluding sections at the northern end and Nobbys Beach.

Sea Acres National Park is adjacent to Shelly Beach and contains a visitor centre with access controlled rainforest boardwalk.

Climate

Port Macquarie has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) with warm, humid summers and short, mild winters, albeit with cool nights;^[44] Rainfall is spread throughout the year. In winter and spring, the town can occasionally be affected by foehn winds due to its leeward position of the Great Dividing Range.^[45] The town receives 118.9 clear days annually. In addition, it is the northernmost locality on the coast to receive southerly busters, although they are not as intense as those in the southern coast.

According to the CSIRO, Port Macquarie was considered the best climate in Australia due to its mild winters and pleasant summers, and also for its warm water for most of the year that is suited for swimming.^[46]

References

 Media related to Port Macquarie at Wikimedia Commons