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Port Macquarie is older than every Australian capital city other than Sydney and Hobart.
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And that level of history will be brought to life thanks to heritage consultant and author Mitch McKay during Heritage Week 2017.
Mr McKay will lead two separate walking tours of Port Macquarie during the festival which gets underway on April 16.
Uncovering our past is a two-hour tour of some of Port Macquarie’s best kept secrets including our history and archaeology while the Grave Tales tour is focused on the historic Port Macquarie cemetery.
“Port Macquarie has a fascinating past since those days back in 1821 when it was founded by the British as a penal settlement,” he said.
“This tour gives an insight into how and why Port Macquarie was originally settled as well as looking at how the town as developed since those early days.
“There is no better way to appreciate the town’s history than on foot.”
The tour includes stories and anecdotes while visiting some of the historical sites and to see how the history of Port Macquarie is being interpreted.
The Grave Tales tour offers up some informative stories about the historic cemetery, where first settlers, convicts and members of the military are now buried.
This tour includes learning about the history of the cemetery, the intriguing stories of some of its occupants and their relatives and hear about the ongoing conservation of the monuments.
“Many locals probably don’t realise the depth of history Port Macquarie has,” he said.
“For me, this tour gives a real appreciation and understanding of Port Macquarie.
“We also give some stories and background on some of the dubious characters, the convicts and the early settlers now in the cemetery.”
The Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Heritage Week features the theme Having a Voice.
Current events for heritage week include, grave tales, a walking tour of the Port Macquarie’s Historic Cemetery, uncovering our past, Port Macquarie's history and archaeology and the Innes Ruins Historic Site – a vanished dream.
The Heritage Festival is on from April 16 until 30.
To book your place on this tour contact 6581 8111 or email council on council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au for more information.
You can also book for the Mitch McKay tours by contacting 0447 429 016 or the website www.pmheritage.com.au
