MUSEUM TRANSFORMATION PLANS

28 July 2021

Plans to transform our Museum into a world class regional museum, cultural destination and community meeting place are one step closer with the completion of our Master Plan and Schematic Design project (Stage 1). The project was supported by the NSW Government's Regional Cultural Fund, Port Macquarie Hastings Council's Community Grants program and the Port Macquarie Historical Society. Only three more stages to go!

FIRST CONVICTS BOOK LAUNCHED

11 June 2021

Our latest publication Port Macquarie's First Convicts was launched this afternoon. The book reveals the names of Port Macquarie's first convcits for the very first time. The publication has been supported by Create NSW’s Cultural Grant Program, a devolved funding program administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government.

TOURISTS PARADISE HIGHLY COMMENDED

13 May 2021

Our online exhibition Tourists Paradise was highly commended in the Events, Exhibitions & Tours category in the 2021 National Trust Heritage Awards. Quite an achievement considering other finalists in the category included the City of Sydney, Sydney Living Museums and Orange Regional Museum.

PORT MACQUARIE BICENTENARY

10 April 2021

We are marking Port Macquarie's Bicentenary with a new exhibition trail '20 Decades 21 Stories'. The 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. All visitors receive a free bicentenary postcard (while stocks last).

CELEBRATING 61 YEARS

06 April 2021

We are celebrating our 61st Birthday at our State Heritage Store building at 22 Clarence Street with free entry from Saturday 10 April to Sunday 18 April 2021. Open daily 10.00am to 9.00pm.

Part of Port Macquarie's official Bicentenary Program.

THE STORY PORT

29 March 2021

We have launched our new website and new stories page 'The Story Port'. Here you can discover, learn, browse and explore our online curated stories about life at Port Macquarie. New stories are posted regularly. The project was supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

RETURN TO LAKE INNES LAUNCHED

1 February 2021

Our latest publication Return to Lake Innes was launched this evening. The book includes original letters and journal entries written by Annabella Boswell, nee Innes in 1848 and 1853. The publication has been supported by Create NSW’s Cultural Grant Program, a devolved funding program administered by The Royal Australian Historical Society on behalf of the NSW Government.

MUSEUM SELFIE DAY

20 January 2021

We celebrated Museum Selfie Day with free entry today. The day was aimed at raising awareness of history and cultural material collections and encouraged people to visit and interact with museums and collections in different and creative ways. It was another way we are making our collections and their stories more accessible.

BICENTENARY POSTCARDS

19 November 2020

We have produced a series of postcards to mark Port Macquarie’s Bicentenary in 2021. The postcards feature designs created by Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design) third year students – Kim Adams and Chaney Boyle. The postcards have been supported by a CSU CUP Grant.

MUSEUM REOPENS

5 June 2020

We are pleased to announce our reopening. In accordance with Government guidelines we have made some changes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our visitors and volunteers including changes to visitor flow, physical distancing measures and increased cleaning frequency. New opening times Monday to Saturday – 10.00am to 4.00pm, discounted admission fees and same warm welcome.

60TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS POSTPONED

18 March 2020

To protect our volunteer staff and the community we have closed our Museum to visitors for the time being. We were to celebrate our 60th Birthday from 18 April with free entry and a new exhibition 'Looking Forward, Looking Back'. These will be rescheduled.

'OUT OF THE FRAME' OPENS

10 February 2020

Out of the Frame, a collaborative exhibition with Port Macquarie U3A textile, fibre and acrylic artists, and clients of Lisa Hort, Creative Ageing Practitioner was opened tonight by Leslie Williams, Member for Port Macquarie. The exhibition is supported by a NSW Seniors Festival Grant and runs until 31 March 2020.

TOURISTS PARADISE ONLINE

22 January 2020

Announcing the launch of Tourists Paradise, a new online exhibition https://touristsparadise.com.au/, Check it out and discover why generations have made Port their holiday destination. Share your Port Macquarie holiday photos and memories with us #portmacquarietouristsparadise

MUSEUM SELFIE DAY 2020

15 January 2020

Museum Selfie Day was again popular with people visiting Port Macquarie for the holidays. Visitors from across Australia and beyond took the opportunity to experience our award winning museum for free and shared photos of their visit with family and friends on social media. #PortMacquarieMuseum. Visitors can also experience the museum for free on the first Sunday of each month.

HERITAGE WALK BROCHURE & APP

28 August 2019

Today we officially launched our new Heritage Walk brochure and app as part of NSW History Week celebrations. The brochure was supported by a Create NSW Cultural Grant administered by the Royal Australian Historical Society.

ARTWALK

18 July 2019

It was a full house for Artwalk 2019. Over 2,000 people visited us during the evening event. The Forest Courtyard with its red and green polka dot lights show was a big hit with the younger visitors, as was Forest the Koala sculpture. The historic film 'Forest Wealth' was projected in the garden area and 'Sixties in the Spotlight' was shown indoors. Artwalk is an initiative of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

UPGRADE PLAN PROJECT UNDERWAY

16 April 2019

Our Museum Upgrade Master Plan and Schematic Design project is officially underway. Project consultants met with us today to discuss the design brief and project timelines, and to gain a greater understanding of the museum site, its buildings and the Clarence Street cultural precinct. The project will support investment to upgrade and improve visitor, exhibition and collection facilities.

WOMEN'S WEEK

06 March 2019

We celebrated NSW Women's Week with an interactive lecture titled 'Her Stories' by Museums and Heritage consultant Kylie Winkworth. Several women brought along objects and shared their own stories, or memories of important women in their lives. The event was supported by a 2019 Women's Week grant from NSW Family and Community Services and Port City Bowling Club.

'WHERE WE CALL HOME' OPENS

11 February 2019

Where we call home, a collaborative exhibition with Port Macquarie U3A textile and fibre artists, Port Macquarie U3A photography group and Omincare Alliance Creative Connection participants was opened tonight by Leslie Williams, Member for Port Macquarie. The exhibition is supported by a NSW Seniors Festival Grant and runs until 31 March 2019.

YouTube

VISIONARY UPGRADE PLAN GAINS FUNDING

18 January 2019

Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams has announced funding of $113,965 for our Museum Upgrade Master Plan project from the NSW Government's Regional Cultural Fund. The $152,000 project is also supported by a Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Community Grant and cash and in-kind contributions from the Port Macquarie Historical Society.

MUSEUM SELFIE DAY 2019

16 January 2019

Museum Selfie Day was a big hit with families visiting Port Macquarie for the holidays. Visitors from across Australia and beyond took the opportunity to experience our award winning museum for free and shared photos of their visit with family and friends on social media. #PortMacquarieMuseum. Visitors to Port Macquarie can also experience the museum for free on the first Sunday of each month.

GRANDPARENTS DAY

28 October 2018

We took the Museum out of the building and down to Port Macquarie's Town Green on NSW Grandparents Day as part of Port Macquarie's '200 Together' community day celebrations. There were opportunities for families to connect, interact and share. The highlight of the day was our photo booth supported by a Grandparents Day grant from NSW Family and Community Services.

WORKING TOWARDS DEMENTIA FRIENDLY

26 September 2018

Port Macquarie Museum is one of many local businesses recognised as actively working towards becoming a dementia-friendly organisation.

The Museum has recently updated its dementia friendly action plan, is progressively making improvements to its facilities, signage and programs and has implemented a dementia awareness program for its volunteers.

MUSEUM UPGRADE VISION

12 September 2018

The Port Macquarie Museum is preparing an application to the NSW Regional Cultural Fund for funding to undertake an upgrade master plan project. The Museum's buildings are no longer fit for purpose and are not fully accessible to many members of the community.

TOURISM AWARDS HALL OF FAME

26 July 2018

The Port Macquarie Museum was inducted into the North Coast Regional Tourism Awards Hall of Fame last night! A big thank you to all our volunteer staff who make everything we do possible. We also picked up a Silver in the Cultural Tourism category.

Congratulations also to our partners and collaborators Arts Mid North Coast, Hello Koalas and Forestry Corporation who all won Gold in their categories.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

30 May 2018

We have recently completed an update of our Conservation Management Plan. The updated report will guide the management of our State Heritage Register listed building in coming years and inform future upgrades to improve visitor experiences. The project was supported by funds provided by the NSW Government through the Office of Environment and Heritage, The Copland Foundation and Port Macquarie- Hastings Council’s Community Grants program.

MUSEUM AUDIO GUIDE LAUNCHED

18 May 2018

Today was International Museum Day and we celebrated with free museum entry and launched our new free audio guide using the Izi.TRAVEL app. Visitors can now take a voice assisted tour of the museum onsite using their smart phone or tablet, or at any time on the web. Just another way we are reaching and connecting with audiences worldwide and sharing our collections and stories with new publics.

POSTCARD CONNECTIONS OPENS

5 April 2018

Postcards Connections, a collaborative exhibition with Port Macquarie U3A textile artists, Lisa Hort, Creative Ageing Practitioner, and Omnicare Respite Centre clients opened tonight. Over 70 people attended the launch with the exhibition officially opened by Leslie Williams, Member for Port Macquarie. The exhibition is supported by a NSW Seniors Festival Grant and is on show until 30 April 2018.

NSW TOURISM AWARDS FINALIST

5 October 2017

Port Macquarie Museum is a finalist in the 2017 NSW Tourism Awards - Cultural Tourism category. The category recognises tourism operations that foster a greater understanding and appreciation of authentic culture, history and heritage. Thanks to our team of hard working volunteers who continue to make our Museum a great visitor experience.

THANK YOU CSU STUDENTS AND STAFF

22 February 2017

Today we officially thanked Charles Sturt University staff and students for their work on our new window designs showcasing the talents of CSU Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design students and featuring objects from our collection. The project was assisted with a small grant under CSU's community-university partnership rural and regional arts and culture program. Thank You!

NEW WINDOW DESIGNS

14 December 2016

Thanks to a partnership with Charles Sturt University, new window designs showcasing the talents of CSU Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design students and feauring objects from the Museum's collection have been installed. The project was assisted with a small grant under CSU's community-university partnership rural and regional arts and culture program.

THE FOREST COURTYARD OPENS

7 November 2016

The Forest Courtyard has been officially opened by the Hon. Leslie Williams, MP, Member for Port Macquarie. The Forest Courtyard is an initiative of Forestry Corporation of NSW in partnership with the Port Macquarie Museum and a gift to the local community to celebrate Forestry Corporation's centenary. It is also home to Forest the Koala, part of the award-winning Hello Koala Sculpture Trail.

MUSEUM WINS GOLD TOURISM AWARD

30 July 2016

The Port Macquarie Museum has won gold in the Cultural Tourism category at the North Coast Destination Network and The Legendary Pacific Coast Tourism Awards for the third consecutive year. Congratulations to our wonderful team of volunteers and a big thank you to all our supporters.

REGIONAL TOURISM AWARDS FINALIST

25 July 2016

The Port Macquarie Museum is again a finalist in the 2016 North and The Legendary Pacific Coast Tourism Awards. Thanks to our team of hard working and committed volunteers who have continued to make our Museum such a great place to visit for over 7,000 visitors this past year.

WORKING TOWARDS DEMENTIA FRIENDLY

29 June 2016

The Port Macquarie Museum is now one of 19 businesses in Port Macquarie recognised as actively working towards becoming a dementia-friendly organisation.

The Museum has completed a dementia friendly action plan, is progressively making improvements to its facilities and signage, and has implemented a dementia awareness program for staff.

OUR RIVERS OUR HISTORY WINS MAGNA

20 June 2016

Port Macquarie Museum together with six other museums from Museums Australia - Mid North Coast Chapter has won a 2016 Museums and Galleries National Award (MAGNA) for the innovative online exhibition Our Rivers Our History. The project was in collaboration with Camden Haven, Kempsey, Mid North Coast Maritime, Tinonee, Wauchope and Wingham Museums.

MUSEUM WINS 2015 IMAGINE AWARD

18 November 2015

The Port Macquarie Museum has won a 2015 Museums and Galleries NSW IMAGinE Award for Waterways - Our Rivers Our History, an innovative online exhibition. The project was in collaboration with Camden Haven, Kempsey, Mid North Coast Maritime, Tinonee, Wauchope and Wingham Museums.

MUSEUM LAUNCHES NEW LOGO

20 October 2015

The Museum launched its new name, logo, brochure and website on Sunday 11 October with a Museum Muster. Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor, Peter Besseling, officiated at the event which attracted over 300 visitors across the day.

Thanks to Port Macquarie - Hastings Council, 48th Regiment of Foot Re-enactment Group, Greta Warner, Wauchope Youth Theatre, Bago Magic, Andre Storer, Amber and Jason Bradshaw, 2Way FM, Rosanna Vanderlay and all our wonderful volunteers.

PORT MACQUARIE MUSEUM STRIKES GOLD!

August 2015

The Port Macquarie Museum has won gold for the second year in a row at the 2015 North Coast Tourism Awards.

Winning gold in the Cultural Tourism category recognises the extraordinary efforts of our museum’s 60 volunteers and their commitment to providing a quality tourism experience.

Yes, we are open! Entry is subject to NSW Public Health Orders.