Founded in 1821, Port Macquarie replaced Newcastle as a penal settlement, as Newcastle began to develop and lose its isolation. Port Macquarie was deemed an excellent site for the new penal settlement, with tough terrain, thick bushland and the only neighbours the local aborigines of the Birpai or Biripi tribe, who would gladly return escaping prisoners in exchange for blankets and tobacco.

John Oxley was the first European to discover Port Macquarie in 1818, after exploring inland New South Wales via the waterways, before coming out of the Hastings River towards the Pacific Ocean. He named it Port Macquarie after the NSW Governor, Lachlan Macquarie. It is believed he saw great potential for another port like in Newcastle, but unfortunately the place never progressed as a port, due to a notorious coastal bar across the mouth of the river, which would stop larger ships from stopping at the port.

Located 390 kilometres north of Sydney and 570 kilometres south of Brisbane, Port Macquarie is the halfway point between the two capitals on the north coast of New South Wales. Port Macquarie is located at the mouth of the Hastings River, with a large proportion of the surrounding area taken up by State Forest and the Werrikimbe National Park.

With a population of 72,711, Port Macquarie has a humid subtropical climate, with average temperatures staying between 7°C and 27°C, and is widely regarded as one of the most liveable cities in Australia, hence its reputation as a retirement destination.

Port Macquarie’s economy is unusual in that there is no dominant industry. It appears to have completed its transition from one dominated by primary industry to a service-based economy driven by the needs of its residents and visitors. However, as the state’s energy distribution headquarters, electricity is fast becoming the region’s largest export.

Tourism draws approximately 675,000 visitors to the region every year, with natural attractions such as Wilson River Reserve, Grants Beach Coast Walk and Dooragan National Park, and historic and interactive attractions in Tacking Point Lighthouse and Billabong Zoo. The Port Macquarie region is also attracting visitors from far and wide for its numerous events, both sporting and cultural, such as Festival of the Sun, Heritage Festival, Big Band Blast Music Festival, Festival of Bodyboarding, Macleay River Marathon and WTC Ironman Australia.