The event is on Saturday and Sunday September 26 and 27.

Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail project director Margret Meagher says the annual festival celebrates Australia's much-loved iconic koala. This will be the fourth annual festival.

Ms Meagher said all participants needed to register on the website but assistance with registering is also available by contacting 0416 641 482.

"This year our major focus for the festival is the Hello Koalas search and rescue treasure hunt," Ms Meagher said.

"The two-day event, coincides with the first weekend of the September school holidays, is presented in collaboration with our new charity partner Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

"The ambassador for the treasure hunt is a brand new Hello Koalas sculpture called Chief, a helicopter pilot with lots of panache. The development of Chief has been supported by Westpac Bank and the sculpture was created by local artist Pauline Roods.

"One of the most intriguing challenges of this year's treasure hunt is to find the whereabouts of Chief and take a selfie or two.

"Chief, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter pilot, will be hanging with some Hello Koalas friends during the festival," Ms Meagher said.

"Post your selfie with Chief on Facebook and Instagram and you could win a helicopter flight around Greater Port Macquarie with Affinity Aviation which is based at Port Macquarie Marina.

"Affinity Aviation and Marine has just sponsored their own Hello Koala sculpture, also by Pauline Roods, called Koalasaurus-MAX which will be on display during the festival."

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Another big adventure is finding all 30 Hello Koalas sculptures specially selected for this year's search and rescue treasure hunt and taking more photos.

This photographic expedition commences at 9am on the Saturday concluding at 5pm on the Sunday.

Everyone who has registered by this weekend will receive an email with some early information about the treasure hunt and some clues as to the list of koalas to search and rescue on the treasure hunt.

A second email with further clues and suggestions about where to start the treasure hunt will be revealed when the full list of clues arrives in your inbox on Thursday September 24.

Due to COVID-19, the annual Hello Koalas treasure hunt is the main focus of this year's Hello Koalas Festival, with complementary events and activities promoted under the festival umbrella, created and managed by Hello Koalas partners and sponsors who have donated prizes for those people who post the most imaginative photos.

These include vouchers from Hot 'n' Chill Restaurant, McDonalds, KFC and SeaSalt Cafe & Restaurant.

Hello Koalas is also collaborating with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's ArtWalk - from October 1 until 8.

Other activies for the festival include, a window display at the Hastings Co-op Department Store, and the popular Artist Market on Sunday September 27 from 9am until 1pm, at the Mid North Coast Maritime Museum.

Ms Meagher said COVID-19 safety and health protocols would be observed during the festival.

For more information or assistance with registrations, email info@hellokoalas.com or phone 0416 641 482.

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