Port Macquarie Hastings Heritage
Port Macquarie Hastings Heritage
Port Macquarie Hastings Heritage
5
Cultural ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursWalking ToursArchaeology Tours
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About
Port Macquarie Hastings Heritage, winner of the 2010 North Coast Tourism Award and again recognised in 2011, offers the following walking tours: 1) Uncovering Our Past - This tour covers the history and archaeology of Port Macquarie, it is 2 1/2 hours in duration and departs at 9:30am Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday. 2) Grave Tales - This tour takes you on a journey through our historic cemetery, it is 1 1/2 hours in duration and departs at 2pm every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tours do not depart on pubic holidays.
Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Port Macquarie Hastings Heritage
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5.0
207 reviews
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188
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19
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margaretclincoln
Lincoln, UK929 contributions
Nov 2019
As ex-tour guides ourselves, we always go on local tours, you learn so much. We also can be the strongest critics too!! Mitch McKay gave us one of the best tours we have been on. 2.5 hours being shown around the Historical sights and locations of 'old' Port MacQuarie by a man who, in a previous life, had a lot to do with the archaeology and planning of the exhibits and buildings. We were the only two on the tour that day, and once he realised that we had a keen interest in all things Transportation and convicts, geared our tour to this perfectly. Highlights were the original remains of buildings underneath the Theatre and the ingenious portrayal of their layout on the floor upstairs, and climbing to the top of the church, convict built, to admire the view. Thanks Mitch for a great morning out. If in Port MacQuarie look him up, you will not be disappointed.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Margaret for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. So pleased to hear that you both enjoyed my tour and appreciated the history of the sites we visited and the general history of my town. Hope we can catch up next time you are in my part of the world.
Written 18 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah T
Port Macquarie, Australia1 contribution
Aug 2020
Originally, I booked the tour for one of my UNI assessments and now, I only wish I had been on the tour sooner because I left feeling much more connected to my hometown. I was blown away with the stories and information that Mitch was able to share and interpret. He was able to answer all of my questions in depth and provide additional information. It has opened my eyes to the past and has inspired me to appreciate the uniqueness of Port Macquarie's heritage.
I would highly recommend this tour to anyone, there are so many interesting things to see and learn that you would not be able to do on your own.
Thank you!
Sarah
I would highly recommend this tour to anyone, there are so many interesting things to see and learn that you would not be able to do on your own.
Thank you!
Sarah
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow Sarah thanks for the awesome review. It's great that you now feel more connected to your hometown and that I was able to open your eyes to Port's past. Good luck with your Uni course.
Written 9 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Penny K
Port Macquarie, Australia9 contributions
Apr 2021
Having just moved to Port Macquarie this tour was absolutely fabulous and we learnt so much - who knew that Port Macquarie was Australia's third oldest convict settlement? Mitch brought so much of the early convict settlement of Port Macquarie to life showing us archaeological excavations of overseers' huts and barrel drains. We also climbed up to the top of St Thomas' Church bell tower which gave an amazing 360 degree view of Port Macquarie.
Looking at Port through a whole different lens now - highly recommend this tour to both locals and visitors!
Looking at Port through a whole different lens now - highly recommend this tour to both locals and visitors!
Written 15 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Penny for your fantastic review. So glad that you enjoyed my tour and now see Port through a different lens. It certainly has a fascinating history. Enjoy your new home Port Macquarie.
Written 16 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pam R
Port Macquarie, Australia2 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Mitch provided an entertaining tour of the cemetery and its inhabitants. The experience was akin to putting the pieces of a jigsaw together or telling a really interesting story about real people who helped shape our lives. Such brave and adventurous people too were the pioneers.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review. So pleased that you found the tour entertaining and the stories of the cemetery's residents interesting. Hope to see you on another tour.
Written 5 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Judy P
Nowra, Australia52 contributions
Dec 2020
Despite the weather and COVID restrictions, we spent a lovely morning exploring the many historic sites in central Port Macquarie. This city has done a wonderful job of preserving its heritage by indicating in new buildings what is hidden below - old cottage footings, roadways etc. Their Council Heritage people are to be commended. Mitch is also a great raconteur, telling stories of convicts, ancestors, 19th century life in Port Macquarie, bringing it all to life. The Anglican Church of St Thomas is really fascinating, with many unique features. Highly recommend this tour.
Written 11 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Judy for your great review. There's a lot to learn about my town's early history and it's there for all to see when you know where to look. Glad that you and Norm took my tour and now appreciate my town's past.
Written 13 December 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Valeri A
Sydney, Australia12 contributions
Feb 2021
Taking Mitch as a guide made for a very gratifying and delightful experience. Being the second time at Port Macquarie we learnt a lot about its history and its contribution to the greater Australia that goes far beyond this relatively small population of the City of Port Macquarie. Thanks, Mitch. His narrative took us sometimes beyond the graves and each time I would come to admire the depth of his knowledge in all things local and all-Australian. It was the most important endeavour during the week we stayed at the Port.
Written 26 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much for your review Valeri. Wonderful to receive your feedback and that you found my Grave Tales tour a delightful experience.
Look forward to seeing you when you next visit Port - maybe on my Uncovering our Past walking tour.
Safe travels.
Written 26 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Archaeobuff
Sydney, Australia2,033 contributions
Dec 2021
We did the Historic Cemetery tour with Mitch and it was superb. Visiting this place with a knowledgeable guide who has personally done the research on the residents there made all the difference as many of the headstones are unreadable or only tell you the barest facts. A number of notables and relatives of notables reside here and Mitch delivers their stories with lively panache even though I am sure he has done this many times before. There was lots of opportunities for queries and interplay that made it a most enjoyable hour.
Written 19 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. The last resting place for many of Port's early residents this cemetery (1824-1886) sure has a fascinating history as you have now discovered. Glad that you enjoyed my Grave Tales tour. You now know that Port's early days just wasn't for the convicts. Safe travels.
Written 20 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gwhtraveller
Sydney, Australia9 contributions
Sept 2020
My wife and I spent 2.5 hours with Mitch as he guided us and brought to life the early history of Port Macquarie. In his role with the council and now as a consultant, he clearly has a deep understanding of Port Mac history with a detailed knowledge of the effort and expertise involved in restoring or recording the history of the area. An interesting tour, glad we did it.
Written 5 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Glen for the review. Glad that you both found the tour interesting and that I brought Port Macquarie's early history to life for you. It's those comments that I really appreciate. Hope to see you back in town some time soon.
Written 7 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan L
7 contributions
May 2021
Mitch had deep knowledge of the history of Port Macquarie right down to the drains and plumbing and how they operated. He also understood the physical relationship of the city to the various kinds of uses it has been put to--convicts, timber, tourism. It was a pity the church wasn't open at a time we could visit, but Mitch explained the process of building and renovating it in wonderful detail. It's the kind of detailed history I love!
Written 16 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Susan for your wonderful review. Glad to hear that you appreciated the detail in the information I provide in my tours. Hope you can visit our region again at some stage in the future as there is more history to discover.
Written 17 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robyn S
Willoughby, Australia22 contributions
June 2022
We did the walking tour of the Port Macquarie Historic Cemetery. Mitch has a passion for the history and leads a very informative tour. He also intertwines this with the history of Port Macquarie and indeed much of eastern Australia to bring to life the stories of many who were laid to rest there. We would recommend this tour if you are looking for an historical recount of the cemetery.
Written 18 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Robyn for your great review. Glad that you and John enjoyed my Grave Tales tour. Also great that you appreciate my passion for the history of my town. Cemeteries are often forgotten and even neglected places but I enjoy giving recognition to those that contributed so much to Port's early years by bringing their stories to life.
Written 18 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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