Port Macquarie Attractions 
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Port Macquarie (pop. 34,000), the largest town on the northern coast of New South Wales, lies at the mouth of the Hastings River. Founded in 1821 as a convict settlement, it has become since the 1970s a popular tourist and holiday center.
The most notable of the town's historic buildings is St Thomas's Church, one of the oldest churches in Australia, built by convict labor in 1824-8. Opposite the courthouse (1869) is the Local History Museum, housed in a commercial building of the 1830s. Other features of interest are a lighthouse of 1879 and an observatory. There is also a Koala Hospital, where sick and injured animals are restored to health. Nearby is the Sea Acres Rain Forest, and there are good facilities for water sports and fishing.
The most notable of the town's historic buildings is St Thomas's Church, one of the oldest churches in Australia, built by convict labor in 1824-8. Opposite the courthouse (1869) is the Local History Museum, housed in a commercial building of the 1830s. Other features of interest are a lighthouse of 1879 and an observatory. There is also a Koala Hospital, where sick and injured animals are restored to health. Nearby is the Sea Acres Rain Forest, and there are good facilities for water sports and fishing.
