200 Together - an exploration through time
2018 marks 200 years since John Oxley and his team of 15 explorers traversed the mountains from the west and surveyed our region for early European settlement. For thousands of years before our region was inhabited by the Birpai people, the traditional custodians of our land.
Port Macquarie was named by John Oxley after the governor of NSW, Lachlan Macquarie in 1818. The Hastings River was named after the Governor General of India at around the same time. Although the area had been first noticed by Captain Cook on his voyage along the coast in 1770 and again later by Matthew Flinders in 1802, it was not explored in any detail until Oxley returned in 1819.
Macquarie initiated Oxley's expedition as he was interested in the site's potential as a penal settlement. The penal settlement would be established in 1821 under Captain Francis Allman who landed at the "town green" at the top of what is now Clarence Street. Captain Allman immediately began directing the 60 convicts sent to establish the settlement, clear the area of trees and begin farming in order to become self-sufficient.
Macquarie initiated Oxley's expedition as he was interested in the site's potential as a penal settlement. The penal settlement would be established in 1821 under Captain Francis Allman who landed at the "town green" at the top of what is now Clarence Street. Captain Allman immediately began directing the 60 convicts sent to establish the settlement, clear the area of trees and begin farming in order to become self-sufficient.
Celebrating our history and people
To commemorate the history, heritage and people who have made the Hastings what it is today, various events and celebrations have been held, including our Bicentenary Event in 2021.
