20 DECADES 21 STORIES

20 Decades - 21 Stories is an exhibition trail to celebrate Port Macquarie's rich history and the town's bicentenary. The specially curated trail guides visitors on a journey of discovery to reveal the key themes and stories that have shaped and defined Port Macquarie's history and identity over the past 20 decades.

Download Exhibition Guide

URBANISATION

During the 1960s land rezoning paved the way for new residential estates in areas previously occupied by orchards, vineyards and market gardens. New estates included: Riverview at Clifton, Settlement Shores on the North Shore, Bellevue Hill, Macquarie Heights and Riviera at Lighthouse Beach.

TEA STORIES

Discover Port Macquarie's history through the humble teapot and other tea treasures. At sporting competitions, birthdays, celebrations, fund raisers, linen teas, tea rooms, surf carnivals and river regattas, afternoon tea has played an important role. There is more to tea than meets the eye.

WW2 AT HOME & ABROAD

Australia’s involvement in World War 2 began on 3 September 1939 and ended on 14 August 1945. Almost a million Australian men and women served in the war. Those who remained at home supported the war effort by training, working, fund raising and ‘making do’. This exhibition explores the impact of World War 2 and highlights the contributions of local people.

THE COLOURS GREEN

Inspired by a quote by author J. R. R. Tolkien "For still there are so many things that I have never seen: in every wood in every spring there is a different green" (The Fellowship of the Ring). The Colours Green is a celebration of spring and the colour green.

GOOD SPORTS

Good Sports explores the sporting achievements of many of our local citizens, sporting groups and teams. From cricket to hockey, surf life saving to football, and cycling to lawn bowls, we've got it covered. Medals, trophies, uniforms and photographs are featured.

TOURISTS PARADISE

Port Macquarie is known for its beautiful river and coastal setting, nearby pristine hinterland and ideal climate. It is a place of happy memories for generations of holiday makers. Explore Port Macquarie's tourism history and discover why Port Macquarie is the Tourists Paradise.

Discover More

SCHOOL DAYS

Revisit your school days and view objects from local school students, teachers and schools, School Days is an exhibition about going to school and the treasured keepsakes, prizes and work books kept by students and teachers over many generations.

ON REFLECTION

On Reflection features a series of five collaborative works by Port Macquarie U3A Textile and Fibre artists. The artworks were inspired by the events of late 2019 and 2020; drought, fire, flood, regeneration and COVID-19 representing an extraordinary time in our history.

ARCADE OF SHOPS

The Arcade of Shops with its quaint shop windows displays a themed selection of objects used by our early free settlers to more recent times. Displays include 'School Days', ‘Keeping Time’, ‘Accessorize’, 'Tea Stories', 'Musical Notes', ‘Good Sports’, ‘Toy Shop’ and the 'Post and Telegraph Office'.

TIMBER!

Timber! tells the story of timber-getting, milling and the everyday lives of timber workers in the Hastings. The timber trade is the area’s oldest commercial industry and was once the main source of employment and wealth for the region.

OUR RIVERS OUR HISTORY

Revealing stories of our rich river and maritime history. You can explore this award winning online exhibition anytime.

Discover More

RUB A DUB DUB

Inspired by our very own in-ground water tank, this exhibition explores the use of water in local domestic life. Keeping clean was hard work!

PORT MACQUARIE BEGINNINGS

This permanent exhibition tells the story of Port Macquarie’s beginnings. Home to the Birpai people, Port Macquarie was settled as a British penal establishment in 1821. Free settlement commenced from 1830.

INNES -THE MAN AND HIS MANSION

This exhibition features objects from the once prestigious home of Archibald Clunes Innes built at Lake Innes, near Port Macquarie between 1830 and 1843. Objects from the house and family give an insight into life at the once grand colonial estate.

FEDERATION COMES TO PORT

Discover the story of Port Macquarie’s important role in the history of Australia’s Federation. Why is there a statue of Edmund Barton, Australia’s first Prime Minister on Port Macquarie’s Town Green? Visit the exhibition to find out!

COSTUME GALLERY

Inspired by Annabella Boswell’s journals, the costume gallery exhibits many local women’s crafts, textiles and costumes from our significant and extensive collection. Contemporary clothing is also featured.

ALL AFLOAT

Port Macquarie has a rich and unique maritime history. All afloat features a snap shot of our many maritime activities and disasters, from the wrecking of Ben Boyd’s yacht The Wanderer in 1851 to regattas on the Hastings River.

YES, WE ARE OPEN!