Port Macquarie
| Port Macquarie New South Wales | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Port macquarie location map in New South Wales.PNG Location of Port Macquarie in New South Wales (red) | |||||||||
| Population | 37,696[1] (2001) | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2444 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
| LGA(s) | Port Macquarie-Hastings Council | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Port Macquarie | ||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Lyne | ||||||||
| |||||||||
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, on the south bank of the entrance 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 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, Flynn's Beach, Nobby's Beach, Shelly Beach, Miners Beach and Lighthouse Beach. Only Town, Flynn's 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 one of the main tourist attractions.
Educational facilities
Primary schools
Public schools
- Port Macquarie Primary School
- Westport Primary
- Hastings Primary
Catholic schools
- St. Joseph's Primary
- St. Peter's Primary
- St. Agnes' Primary
Other private schools
- St. Columba Anglican School
- Adventist Primary School
- Heritage Christian School
High schools
Public schools
- Port Macquarie High School
- Westport High School
Private schools
- St. Joseph's High School (Catholic, incorporating Regional and St. Paul's junior campuses and MacKillop Senior College)
- St. Columba Anglican School
- Heritage Christian School
- Australian Technical College (years 11-12; formerly Vocational College, a part of St. Joseph's High School)
Other educational facilities
There is also a TAFE campus for further qualifications. Courses are also offered by the University of Newcastle through the TAFE campus.
Transport links
Port Macquarie is linked by daily air services to both Sydney and Brisbane.
Road access is via the Pacific and Oxley Highways. The Pacific Highway lies between Port Macquarie and Wauchope, and is the main road for tourists travelling from coastal areas.
Improvements to the Pacific Highway has seen steady improvements in travel times between Sydney and the region.
Rail access to Port Macquarie is via bus transfer from the North Coast Railway Line which stops at Wauchope (19 km inland).
Annual events
- Schoolies (November)
- Festival of the Sun (December)
- Sundowner BREAM Classic (November)
- Panthers Ironman Triathlon
Radio Stations
- 2MC FM 100.7 & 90.3 (commercial)- Charles Wooley in the morning 9am to 12 midday then classic hits all day
- Star FM 102.3 (commercial)- local breakfast then networked with a Hot AC format.
- Raw FM 87.6 (narrowcast) - Computerised networked from Frenches Forrest. Featuring Dance and Rave Music.
- Radio 531 AM & Soon 93.5FM (commercial) Relays 2SM's program format all day except John Laws 9am to 11am
- Triple J 96.3 FM
- ABC Radio National 97.1 FM
- ABC Mid North Coast 648 AM/95.5 FM
- Classic FM 98.7 FM
- Racing Radio 92.7 FM
- Rhema FM 99.9 (Christian)
- 2-Way FM 103.9 (Community)
References
- ^ "Port Macquarie (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2001 Census QuickStats. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2006-11-22.