Port
Macquarie Car Hire Touring Information
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Founded
as a convict settlement in 1821, and one of the oldest towns
in the State, Port Macquarie is now a major holiday resort,
situated at the mouth of the Hastings River, 423 km N of Sydney
In town: Award-winning Hastings Historical Museum, Clarence
St, displays of convict and pioneer relics in 15 rooms of
building (1835-40). Convict-built St Thomas' Church (1824-28),
Hay St, designed by convict architect Thomas Owen, 3rd oldest
surviving church in Australia. Port Macquarie Historic Courthouse
(1869), cnr Hay and Clarence St (closed Sun.). Mid-North Coast
Maritime Museum, William St, features shipwreck relics, model
ships and early photographs. At end of Horton St: historic
cemetery dating from 1842; Kooloonbung Creek Nature Reserve,
50 ha of bushland with boardwalks. Roto House and Macquarie
Nature Reserve, Lord St, a koala hospital and study centre.
Port Macquarie Observatory William St. Maritime museum, William
St. Fantasy Glades, Pacific Dr., with rainforest gardens and
picnic/barbecue facilities. Billabong Koala and Aussie Wildlife
Park (Billabong Dr.) and Kingfisher Park (Kingfisher Rd),
for close-up look at Australian animals. Town Beach, has surf
at one end, sheltered coves at other. Peppermint Park has
slides and roller-blading. River cruises daily. Walk following
coastal headlands from breakwall to lighthouse (8 km). Hydro-goif,
Boundary St, a golf course incorporating water targets. Market
in Findlay Aye, 2nd and 4th Sun. each month. Jan.: Golden
Lure Tournament (deep-sea fishing). In the area: Excellent
fishing and all water sports. Charter fishing; Harley Davidson
motorbike tours; horse riding; abseiling; skirmish (paintball
game); skydiving. Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, 4km 5, elevated
1.3 km boardwalk through canopy; tours. At Lighthouse Beach,
10 km 5, 16-km expanse of white sand; camel rides; dolphin-watching
from shore; breathtaking views from grounds of Tacking Point
Lighthouse at northern end of beach (lighthouse not open to
public). Lake Cathie, 16 km 5, holiday town between surf beach
and tidal lake, for swimming and fishing. Scenic drives to
Ellenborough Falls, 85 km SW and to Wauchope and Timbertown,
20 km W; 4WD tours into hinterland; bus tours of surrounding
area (brochures available). Cassegrain Winery, 13 km W; Discovery
Concert held here under the stars each Oct. Visitor information:
cnr Clarence and Hay sts; (02) 6581 8000, freecall 1800 025
935. Web site www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au
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