The event is on September 26 and 27.

Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail project manager Margret Meagher says the latest addition to the trail - Chief, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service pilot - will be front and centre at this year's treasure hunt.

"The festival is taking place right across the region," Ms Meagher said.

"There are events and activities happening in conjunction with sponsors, but the main focus of this year's festival is the search and rescue treasure hunt.

"The trail is delivering this with our new charity partner, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

"To commemorate that partnership, our newest koala, Chief, will be unveiled," she said.

"This brings to 77 the number of koalas on the trail."

Ms Meagher said local residents and their visiting family and friends are encouraged to participate in the treasure hunt over the two days.

The event is free to enter but participants need to register online.

With Port Macquarie expected to be a mecca for holidaymakers, Ms Meagher said it was important to register early.

The treasure hunt is being held over two days and across the region.

"Families and individuals will be hunting for 30 of our 77 koalas as part of the treasure hunt," she said.

"We have a COVID safety plan in place and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the festival and the treasure hunt can proceed in a safe way.

"By registering online, we will be providing regular notifications about what is happening with the treasure hunt and if there are any changes to health guidelines.

"Social distancing is key to the success of this event and we will implement any necessary NSW Health guidelines."

Read more: 2019 Hello Koalas Festival includes symposium

Ms Meagher said the treasure hunt was designed to be a leisurely activity enabling participants to enjoy the best of our local produce.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service liaison officer Richard McGovern acknowledged Westpac bank for sponsoring Chief the koala pilot.

"It is fantastic to be involved in this koala festival," he said.

"The service plays a vital role in the community through providing transport for people in emergency situations and hospital transfers.

"By partnering with the festival and the trial we are continuing to fly the flag within the community.

"We are hoping to remain part of the festival and the trail for a number of years through the treasure hunt."

Mr McGovern said the recent bushfire season had a major impact on the local koala population and he looked forward to a successful festival and treasure hunt.

Artist Pauline Roods was the first artist involved in painting one of the koalas as part of the trail.

She has now been responsible for 14 of the koalas and says the joy for her was watching the expressions on children's faces.

"We get to see the expression on everyone's faces," she said.

"These koalas have become synonymous with Port Macquarie. They have become an icon.

"The real joy is watching people take photos with the koalas and to see the different, individual personalities of each of the 77 koalas.

"And each koala has their very own story to tell.

"There is so much we can learn from these koalas. There is a real community ownership," she said.

Ms Roods said that Mack the surf lifesaver was probably her favourite koala of the trial.

"But they are all beautiful in their own way," she added.

Her next koala is likely to be a unicorn.

Photographer Lindsay Moller has been involved with the project since its inception in 2013.

he described it as "an honour" to be involved with the project.

"The highlight for me includes being able to work with the artist at the end of the project and sharing that with the community," he said.

"I also enjoy watching the kids' faces light up when they see a new koala.

"They are always so excited and amazed. Each of the koalas has their own personality," he said.

Mr Moller said the koala trail was taking on greater importance in highlight the importance of koalas in Port Macquarie.

He said the plight of koalas had been reinforced during the recent bushfires.

"We have the opportunity as a community to help ensure the koalas future," he said. "It is up to us now."

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