WHEN it comes to koalas, the Port Macquarie-Hastings region of NSW is in a field of its own, with the largest population anywhere on the east coast.
So it's only natural that Port Macquarie will pay tribute to its beloved marsupials at the Hello Koalas Festival on the NSW long weekend of June 9-11.
First staged last year, the event builds on the success of the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail - 60 large-scale koalas hand-painted by different artists which are found dotted around Port Macquarie.
The focus is also on shining a spotlight on the plight of the koala, which is a threatened species in many parts of NSW.
Port's famed Koala Hospital is a major festival partner, as is National Parks' Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, which has a Save Our Koalas boardwalk.
Here you can see the environmentally themed koala sculptures nestling along the rainforest walk and meet Hello Koala sculpture Ranger Riley.
Highlights include a Sea Acres paint-your-own-koalas workshop and a Hello Koalas high tea at Rydges Port Macquarie.
The Foreshore Markets at Westport Park on Saturday morning will have a special koala twist and there will be a chance to see some of your favourite Hello Koala sculptures including festival "queen" Lady Lola, The Dancing Koala.
Lady Lola's creator, Francessca O'Donnell, who also created the mosaic koalas Kalido and PK Sparkles, will be around to meet fans at the Glasshouse Arts and Visitor Centre.
And on the Sunday, head to Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard for the Hello Koalas Classic Cars and Coffee event, 8.30am-2pm.
If you go...
PORT Macquarie is about a seven-hour drive from Brisbane.
The NSW TrainLink service between Brisbane and Sydney stops daily at Wauchope, 20 minutes inland from Port. A coach connection is available. To book visit nswtrainlink.info or call 13-22-32.
Virgin Australia flies daily between Brisbane and Port. Flights take about an hour.
