GUULABAA – Place of Koala, the world’s first purpose-built wild koala breeding and visitor centre, has been recognised with a major honour at the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards. The forest-based tourism precinct in the Cowarra State Forest took out the Australian Good Design Award Winner accolade in the Built Environment category. Presented by Good […]

FIGURES released by the Australian Electoral Commission this week show a candidate’s donations and marketing spend are no guarantee of success. Financial disclosure return information shows that Cowper Independent Caz Heise spent $2 million on her Federal Election campaign – more than any other candidate in the country. Ms Heise received $2.1 million from 55 […]

HOUSEHOLDS across the Mid North Coast will soon have access to a new tool to help manage grocery costs, through a partnership between Greater Bank and Newcastle-based fintech “Grocerize”. Created by Newcastle dad Blake Bennett, Grocerize compares supermarket prices and highlights savings opportunities for families. Greater Bank told News Of The Area that users of […]

Some of the buildings are leased by the Port Macquarie Art Society. The markets were founded 55 years ago by the late Maureen Cooke. A security vehicle blocks access to Hamilton Green on Sunday, 12 October. Photo: Peter Varley, FB. The road into Hamilton Green was clear on Wednesday. CONFUSION and bewilderment have followed the […]

‘Hope’ the Joey at Port Macquarie’s breeding facility. Photo: supplied. GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan presents an award to Sue Ashton, Koala Conservation Australia Chairperson. Photo: supplied. Mayor Adam Roberts also accepted an award from GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan. Photo: supplied. Tim Cadogan and the Koala Conservation Australia team. Photo: supplied. KOALA Conservation Australia (KCA) has […]

Port Macquarie Marine Rescue members Grant James, Lilly De Belle, Alison Cameron-Brown, Dustin Welbourne, Noel Woodward, Robert Breskal, Chris Wood, Ron Caffyn, Robert Britten and Leonard Smart. Marine Rescue Port Macquarie radio operator Noel Woodward. Bolt cutters were used during the mission. PM 30 crews assist the stricken skipper. A line is established. THE Marine […]

TRANSPORT for NSW is leading a “once-in-a-generation” review of the Roads Act 1993 and is seeking input from councils, community members, peak bodies and industry experts about how the legislation should be reformed. “The aim is to create a more modern, flexible and easy-to-use law that can help enable NSW Government initiatives such as housing […]

LOCAL author Hayley Lawrence will appear at Collins Booksellers Port Macquarie from 11am to 12pm on Saturday, 11 October, for signed copies of her latest young adult novel, “Into the Wild”. Hayley Lawrence is one of Australia’s best-selling authors of young adult fiction, celebrated for her emotionally charged stories and moral depth. Wendy Ranger, owner […]

A drone shot of some of the 10 or 11 juvenile humpbacks off Port Macquarie on Monday. Photo: Alex McNaught, roving-eye.com. This spectacular breach off Port Macquarie’s Town Beach last week has been shared around the world. Photo: Jodie Lowe’s Marine Animal Photography. Whale spotter Leigh Mansfield at Tacking Point Lighthouse. Photo: Sue Stephenson. THERE’S […]

DRIVERS across the Mid North Coast can look forward to safer journeys, with the NSW Government investing more than $6.5 million in road safety upgrades. Member for Oxley Michael Kemp welcomed the funding, describing it as a major boost for residents, freight operators, and visitors who rely on the region’s busiest and most challenging routes. […]