Our Heritage

OUR HERITAGE Flynns Beach

For more than 40,000 years the Birpai people have been the original inhabitants and occupants of the Greater Port Macquarie region. Relying on the land and waterways to sustain themselves, the Birpai people made temporary huts along the river and around the lakes allowing them to follow the seasonal food trail. The region’s richly diverse landscapes together with the subtropical climate ensured that the community thrived in harmony with the environment for many thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans. Today, with its own unique heritage, Port Macquarie is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the NSW coast, and also one of the fastest growing regions in NSW. Discovered by John Oxley in 1818 and named after the Governor of NSW, Lachlan Macquarie, our first visitors were convicts sent to the Port Macquarie penal settlement in 1821 to serve time for secondary offences. The town was built by those convicts and overseen by military officers of the 48th Regiment. Port Macquarie was opened up to free settlers from 1830 and remained a convict town until 1847. Evidence of our convict past can be viewed at various locations including the convict built St Thomas’ Church, the well of the Female Factory in Munster Street ( Map ref K8), the well of the 1840 gaol located within the Ibis Styles Hotel and at the Port Macquarie Museum. The historic cemetery at the southern end of Horton Street ( Map ref J9) is home to the remains of many of our early settlers including convicts, military officers and free settlers. The Port Macquarie-Hastings region has just reached a number of milestones in their European discovery and settlement. 2018 marked two hundred years since Surveyor General John Oxley’s journey of discovery during which he and his party travelled to the place he named Port Macquarie. This year (2021) marks the Bicentenary of the first settlement in Port Macquarie. The Bicentenary is an opportunity for our community and visitors to come together and reflect on our past; our present and our future.

PORT MACQUARIE MUSEUM An award winning museum featuring themed displays from the first settlers right through to today. Located in Port Macquarie’s CBD, it is one of the few surviving early commercial and residential buildings in Port Macquarie and is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. Mon-Sat 10am-4pm (minimal charges apply) 22 Clarence Street - Map ref K8 (02) 6583 1108 MID NORTH COAST MARITIME MUSEUM Originally built as Pilot Cottages in 1896, they now house a wonderful collection of maritime material including superbly built scale models of a variety of vessels, charts, maps, paintings and an extensive collection of historical maritime photos. 7 days 10am–4pm 6 William Street - Map ref M8 (02) 6583 1866 THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE was designed by colonial architect James Barnet and built in 1869 by local builders Butler and Bourne costing £1,091 and nine shillings. This building, classified by the National Trust, served the community for 117 years and was restored in 1993. Mon-Fri 10am-3pm, and Sat 10am-

1pm Corner of Clarence & Hay Streets - Map ref K8 (02) 6584 1818 LAKE INNES RUINS Located in Lake Innes Nature Reserve, these ruins represent a significant part of Australia’s colonial heritage. The grand home, Lake Innes House was built in the 1830s and 1840s and was home to the colonial entrepreneur Major Archibald Innes and his wife Margaret Macleay. This historic site is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and public access to the site across private property is via guided tour only. Tours can be booked through the Visitor Information Centre 1300 303 155 Map ref D17 ST THOMAS’ ANGLICAN CHURCH Australia’s fifth oldest church is still in use. Built by convict labour between 1824 and 1828 the walls are constructed of one metre thick hand-made brick. It features an 1857 barrel organ that plays 33 hymns – the only one of its type in Australia. Weekly on Thursdays at 9.30am -12pm. Guided tours on request. 50 Hay Street - Map ref K8 (02) 6584 1033 HISTORIC ROTO HOUSE was built in 1891 and belonged to the Flynn family. In the early 1980s it was restored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and features furnishings and artefacts from the 19th Century. Pack a lunch and picnic in the pleasant surrounds of Macquarie Nature Reserve, or visit the nearby Koala Hospital. daily from 10am-4.30pm subject to volunteer availability 2 Roto Place - Map ref L10 (02) 6584 2180 DOUGLAS VALE HISTORIC HOMESTEAD + VINEYARD is a unique experience within Australia. It has been restored into a museum for eclectic items from the original families. The landscaped grounds include historic buildings plus an orchard, vegetable garden and working vineyard. See Page 9 for full details.

Step into Mainstore, a hybrid photo gallery and fashion boutique carrying unique labels for women and men. Professional photographer and Sony Australia advocate, Matt Gilligan, has teamed up with former owner of Gold Dust Trader, Simone, to bring this inspiring location to Port Macquarie. Here you'll find a stunning photo souvenir from your visit to Port, truly unique fashion brands, leather goods, organic skincare or jewellery. One of Port Macquarie’s brand new experiences - be inspired at Mainstore on Sunset Parade. Future photography workshops to come so keep up with their updates on Instagram @main_store_pmq

MAP REF K8 7-9 SUNSET PARADE PORT MACQUARIE

The amazing waterways and ocean landscapes that surround us in Port Macquarie provide the perfect, and preferred, canvas for Matt Gilligan, our very own local professional photographer. Backed by Sony Australia, and using the best and latest technology, Matt is able to capture all this wonderful natural beauty in photographs that most of us would only dream of replicating. Come down and visit Mainstore to see Matt’s amazing work that will bring a wow factor to any room. There is plenty of choice and you won’t be able to resist taking a little bit of Port Macquarie home with you as a reminder of great times spent!

FASHION+HOME+COFFEE

For an experience like no other in town, drop in to Meg + Me where Ant + Lus encourage you to immerse yourself in their newly expanded space. Whether it’s the fashion, the homewares or the captivating scent of coffee from the “hole in the wall” style espresso bar that’s lured you in, either way, make sure you set aside some time to fully indulge your senses in their captivating corner of town. Offering discerning locals and visitors alike a sophisticated retail therapy experience, Lusanna & The Girls are well known for their impeccable style, while the secret weapon to Meg + Me’s superior coffee is Ant. He’s created an awesome little community who share one common love - his coffee! What are you waiting for?