The premier officially launches the Hello Koalas Public Sculpture Trail at an invitation-only event with sponsors, many of the artist, and local politicians on hand.

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said she was pleased that Mr Baird has taken the time to again visit her electorate, this time as Premier.

The trail is a public art project which will see 50 one-metre high fibreglass koalas, painted by artists from the region and across the world, take up prominent positions in Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Comboyne and Camden Haven.

"The NSW Government has sponsored one of the Koalas which features an artist's innovative design to raise awareness of dementia in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region," Mrs Williams said.

"The Port Macquarie electorate has the second highest prevalence of dementia in the state and our community is working co-operatively to establish our area as the first dementia friendly community in Australia."

"The dementia friendly koala is magnificent and I believe it will be a standout attraction when it's on display at The Westport Club."

An initiative of Arts and Health Australia, the project has received international attention via an appearance on BBC television, at the Australian Embassy in Paris and will soon feature on Sydney Weekender on Prime7.

Each of the 50 koalas will start to be placed on the trail within a week or two.