Why Camden Haven?
What 2443 has that nowhere else does. Every fact sourced.
- Bob Hope's surprise landing in 1944
On 14 August 1944 a Catalina seaplane carrying entertainer Bob Hope made an emergency landing on Camden Haven next to Laurieton. He kept in touch with locals for decades afterwards.Source: Wikipedia
- Dooragan and the three brothers
In a Birpai Dreamtime story, three brothers are buried where the mountains now stand. The youngest, Dooragan, gives the national park on North Brother its name.Source: Wikipedia
- Mountains named twice: Birpai, then Cook
Captain Cook named 'the Brothers' on 12 May 1770. The Birpai people had already given the mountains the same name.Source: Wikipedia
- Ships were built at Laurieton
Between 1901 and 1903, the steamships Hastings and Cobar and the sailing ship Isabella de Fraine were all built at Laurieton.Source: Wikipedia
And the whole area: Why Port?
Big river, bigger story. Every fact sourced.
- Koalas get their own hospital
Port Macquarie's Koala Hospital was the first dedicated koala hospital in Australia.Source: Koala Conservation Australia
- Birpai Country
The Birpai people are recognised as the Traditional Custodians of the Port Macquarie area.Source: Wikipedia
- A lighthouse from 1879
Tacking Point Lighthouse was built in 1879 to a design by Colonial Architect James Barnet.Source: Wikipedia
- Started as a penal settlement
Port Macquarie was founded as a penal settlement in 1821, named by explorer John Oxley after Governor Lachlan Macquarie.Source: Wikipedia
- Wauchope timber in the Opera House
Timber from the Yarras Plywood Sawmill near Wauchope was used in building the Sydney Opera House.Source: Wikipedia
Know a fact we've missed? Tell us.