Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail wins National Art Awards

25 Feb 2024Media Release Feb 2023 – Australian Street Art Awards Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail WIns National Art Tourism Award Share this Press Releases

Hello Koalas named in top 10% of attractions worldwide

24 Aug 2021Being named in the world’s top 10% of attractions for one of the toughest years tourism has known says something pretty special about Port Macquarie’s Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail. Hello more.. Press Releases

$3 Million funding for Cowarra nature-based tourism precinct

29 Jul 2021Guulabaa – Place of Koala is an exciting partner-project we are undertaking in Cowarra State Forest! In The Media

Hello Koalas Festival features drawcard treasure hunt event

20 Sep 2020This year’s Hello Koalas Festival will feature a search and rescue treasure hunt, artist market and window displays. The festival, now in its fourth year, celebrates Australia’s much-loved koala and more.. In The Media

Big Koala

18 Sep 2020BIG statues are a big part of the big Aussie road trip and now it’s Port Macquarie’s turn, with plans for the Big Koala …. In The Media

Tribute to firefighters a work of art

20 Aug 2020In the midst of the January bushfires that came within a kilometre of her home, 12-year-old Jessica Miles found herself reflecting on the bravery of firefighters protecting lives and property more.. In The Media

Frankie the Firefighter koala sculpture joins the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail

17 Aug 2020A young woman’s bright idea to thank hard-working firefighters has become a reality after a new koala sculpture was unveiled in Port Macquarie. Frankie the Firefighter is the brainchild of more.. In The Media

Next big thing: Work under way on big koala for Port Macquarie as ‘an icon for our region’

14 Jun 2020“We have tagged ourselves (in Port Macquarie) as Australia’s capital for koalas and we see the Big Koala as signifying that status.” In The Media

Hello Koalas Wins Gold at NSW Tourism Awards

5 May 2020Super proud of Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail (Port Macquarie) winning Gold for Cultural Tourism last night at the @NSWTourismAwards. A wonderful recognition for project director Margret Meagher, our amazing artists, sponsors more.. News

Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail exhibition at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, October 3

25 Sep 2019The successful Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is heading to Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Twenty four of the hand-painted – and popular – koalas will take pride of place in the more.. In The Media

2019 Mid North Coast Winners – NSW Business Chamber

22 Sep 2019Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail creator Margret Meagher accepted the award for Excellence in Innovation at the Mid North Coast Regional Business Awards gala at Sails Port Macquarie by Rydges. Hello Koalas more.. In The Media

Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail scores gold at Destination North Coast Regional Tourism Awards

22 Sep 2019The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail has added to its “significant number of awards” after claiming gold for cultural tourism at the Destination North Coast Regional Tourism Awards. In The Media

Hello Koalas Festival 2019 presents Cars for Koalas Show and Shine

22 Sep 2019Proud car owners travelled from as far as Sydney, Tamworth and Newcastle to display their vehicles in the Cars for Koalas Show and Shine. Just over 30 cars were on more.. In The Media

Caring for our Koalas and Environment Symposium to kick of three-day festival in Port Macquarie

3 Jun 2019Everyone is looking forward to the 2019 Hello Koalas Festival. In The Media

Kempsey Shire’s koala population to be highlighted at Hello Koalas event in Port Macquarie

31 May 2019A day dedicated entirely to discussing koala care and research at Port Macquarie on Thursday June 6 is attracting state-wide attention. The Hello Koalas Caring for our Koalas and our more.. In The Media

Hello Koalas a hit in Canberra

27 Feb 2019#PortMacquarie‘s #HelloKoalas are making quite a hit in the capital! Twenty of our fantastic #HelloKoalasSculptures are making their home in Canberra this March at the beautiful #AustralianNationalBotanicGardens. Discover how you can more.. In The Media

Arts / Koalas take over the Botanic Gardens

25 Feb 2019FORGET about Edna Everage’s “Hello Possum” it was all koalas this morning on the lawns of the Australian National Botanic Gardens as a pop-up sculpture trail was unveiled to the more.. In The Media

Silver for Hello Koalas at NSW Tourism Awards

23 Nov 2018EVERYONE, including NSW Tourism, loves Port Macquarie’s Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail which last night won Silver for Cultural Tourism at the 2018 NSW Tourism Awards. Hello Koalas was also a more.. News

Hello Koalas on the Today Show

22 Jul 2018Following the Hello Koalas Festival, Hello Koalas founder Margret Meagher featured on the Channel 9 Today show with a selection of Hello Koalas Sculptures and friends. Port Macquarie turned on. more.. In The Media

Lady Lola makes the news!

1 Jun 2018Stop Press: Lady Lola will be appearing at the Hello Koalas Festival MamaMia Music and Dance Party. 6.30 June 8th Panthers Port Macquarie. MamaMia – Here we go again! Hello more.. News

Press release: Celebrate Koalas at the Hello Koalas Festival

23 May 2018Announcement of the NSW Government’s $45 million package to protect the state’s threatened koala population is reason to celebrate, and the best place to party is at the Hello Koalas more.. News

Say Hello to Cars & Coffee – June 10

29 Apr 2018Another festival Highlight! Hello Koalas Festival Cars and Coffee Meet at Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard, Sunday 10 June, 2018, 8.30am to 10.30am, Live bands from 9am, Devonshire tea, more.. News

Ranger Riley on the loose.

19 Dec 2017Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is the region’s most popular attraction with widespread support from local business, government and community organisations, including the acclaimed Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, more.. News

Download the latest trail map here

19 Dec 2017Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is the region’s most popular attraction with widespread support from local business, government and community organisations, including the acclaimed Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, more.. News

Hello Koalas Festival – Celebrating Koalas Everywhere!

1 Jun 2017Hello Koalas Festival is believed to be the world’s first festival celebrating Australia’s iconic species, the koala, with the specific objective of promoting koala care and conservation. Designed as an more.. Press Releases

Mrs LESLIE WILLIAMS, MP for Port Macquarie informs the House of Representatives

31 Mar 2017Mrs LESLIE WILLIAMS, MP for Port Macquarie informs the House of Representatives of a very exciting event that is gathering momentum in the Port Macquarie-Hastings area on 28 May 2013 In The Media

2016 Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards nominee: Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail

31 Mar 2017Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is the signature cultural/tourism attraction for Port Macquarie-Hastings, encompassing 50+ sculptures, hand painted by artists, and sponsored by business and community.  In a very short space more.. In The Media

Volunteers recognised for great work

31 Mar 2017Leslie Williams MP presents volunteers with certificates of appreciation.  Local volunteers have been recognised and presented certificates of appreciation at a morning tea at the CWA rooms on December 6.   Local more.. In The Media

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Scoop found!

31 Mar 2017PORT Macquarie’s search for its missing koala has finally come to an end. Scoop, the Port News sculpture from the iconic Hello Koalas tourist trail, has been found, after a more.. In The Media

NSW Tourism Award honours for Hastings tourism businesses

31 Mar 2017TOURISM businesses from the Hastings took home gold, silver and bronze in the NSW Tourism Awards. The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail won bronze in the tourist attractions category.  The awards promote and more.. In The Media

Where to see Hello Koalas

31 Mar 2017FIFTY large-scale sculptures, manufactured in fibreglass and hand-painted and decorated by celebrity artists, professional artists and community groups, now dot our landscape. It travels from the mountains of Comboyne through more.. In The Media

Hello Koala’s Ranger Riley has a new gig

31 Mar 2017The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail has claimed numerous business and tourism awards but is now moving into a new phase of awareness raising.  At an artist’s talk at Sea Acres more.. In The Media

Funds to Promote Tourism

14 Feb 2015When Regional Tourism Minister John Barilaro was in Port Macquarie recently to announce $693,000 funding through the Regional Visitor Economy Fund to the North Coast Destination Network, the Minister and more.. In The Media

Port Macquarie Public Art damaged by vandals

15 Jan 2015Four more sculptures on Port Macquarie’s popular “Hello Koalas’ trail have been damaged by vandals. In The Media

More Hello Koala Trail vandalism

13 Jan 2015VANDALISM of the koala public sculptures across the Hastings and Camden Haven has reached new lows. Another four of the immensely popular koalas located along the Town Green were damaged more.. In The Media

Leaving a local mark on Paris

8 Jan 2015Former Boorowa local, Sophie Corcoran has left her artistic mark on Paris recently. The young artist has been involved in the Greater Port Macquarie’s ‘Hello Koalas Sculpture Project,’ which has more.. In The Media

Hello Koalas!

8 Jan 2015You won’t see these guys sleeping in the trees or being bad mannered with the tourists, but you will definitely be able to see them because a one metre high, more.. In The Media

John Williamson backs koala trail

8 Jan 2015It would have seemed almost criminal not to have Port Macquarie Koala Hospital patron John Williamson involved in the Hello Koalas Public Sculpture Trail which becomes a reality in the more.. In The Media

Blue koala comes with a message

8 Jan 2015Artist and sculptor Kerry Smith-Taughkin has designed a “Dementia Koala” to take its place on the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail to be launched in September. In The Media

Wauchope businesses back Hello Koala Project

8 Jan 2015The Wauchope Community has mobilised to ensure that Wauchope is included on the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail In The Media

Koala Sculpture proving popular

8 Jan 2015The “Granny Square” design painted on its koala sculpture will welcome people and symbolise the warmth and care provided by the staff of Wauchope Hospital. In The Media

Hello Koala Trail has local input

7 Jan 2015The Hello Koalas project, which is developing a “sculpture trail” of 50 artistically decorated koala sculptures through the Hastings region, is sending one of its “blank” koala figures to Wauchope more.. In The Media

Hello Koalas launch

7 Jan 2015NSW Premier Mike Baird made a brief appearance in Port Macquarie on Monday for the unveiling of the 50 colourful critters that will form the Hello Koalas Public Sculpture Trail. In The Media

Oma gone: Maybe forever?

6 Jan 2015On Saturday December 20 at around 10pm local police were informed that OMA the Hello Koala sculpture was stolen from Longworth Park. In The Media

Oh, Hello Koalas

6 Jan 2015The koala trail around the Hastings has been installed. Will you see them all? Share your photos with us! In The Media

Big is better when it comes to koalas

6 Jan 2015Big is beautiful and those infamous big landmarks that dot the Australian landscape are set to get a new sibling in Port Macquarie.Yes folks, the Big Koala is coming! In The Media

Be a tourist in our backyard

6 Jan 2015Do you have relos visiting for the school holidays? Are the kids already bored? Why not be a tourist in your own backyard? In The Media

Call for Koala artists

6 Jan 2015A Kaleidoscope of colourful mosaics is artist and dance teacher Francesca O’Donnell’s vision for one of the 50 sculptures which will form the Hello Koalas Public Art Project. In The Media

Hello Koalas invasion is now complete

6 Jan 2015An army of 50 large-scale koala sculptures have taken over local vantage points and landmarks these school holidays. In The Media

Port News’ very own koala ready for the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail

6 Jan 2015Work has started on the Port News’ very own koala for the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail being launched in September. In The Media

Stolen Hello Koala returned

6 Jan 2015Crowing on social media undid those who allegedly stole Hello Koalas sculpture Starry Soul from the Town Green early on Monday. In The Media

NSW Premier Mike Baird in Port Macquarie to launch the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail

6 Jan 2015NSW Premier Mike Baird will come face to face with 50 sculptured koalas at Emerald Downs Golf Club on Monday. In The Media

Your Hello Koalas pictures

6 Jan 2015Fifty large-scale sculptures, manufactured in fibreglass and hand-painted and decorated by celebrity artists, professional artists and community groups, now dot our landscape. In The Media

Editorial: Protecting our koalas

6 Jan 2015When the Port Macquarie News informed our readers about the theft of one of the Hello Koala sculptures, the outpouring of support from the community was overwhelming. In The Media

Watch out for giant koalas

6 Jan 2015Macleay Valley artists have contributed to a spectacular art project involving giant koalas. In The Media

Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail

6 Jan 2015Explore Port Macquarie along a sculpture trail featuring one of Australia’s most beloved animals. In The Media

Hello Koalas

6 Jan 2015Port Macquarie Hastings Council is principal sponsor of the Hello Koalas project. Cr Mike Cusato believes the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail will be an important local attraction. In The Media

Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail

6 Jan 2015On 8 September 2014, local communities will wake to the enigmatic smiles and whimsical designs of the 50 large scale fibreglass koalas sculptures residing in various locations across the Port more.. In The Media

Koalas set to break the mould

5 Jan 2015In September 2014 the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail will take tourists and residents on a journey across the Hastings, its hinterland and the Camden Haven. In The Media

The Trail Blazers

5 Jan 2015Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail welcomes its inaugural Community Champions! In The Media

Hello Koalas Sculpture Project Official Launch by the Hon. Premier Mike Baird and Special Preview Ceremony.

5 Jan 2015The NSW Premier, the Hon. Mike Baird was special guest at the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail Preview Ceremony for over 200 artists, sponsors and supporters at Emerald Downs Golf Course more.. In The Media

The Bear Essentials

5 Jan 2015When you mix koalas and food, most people would think gum leaves, but in Port Macquarie they are thinking tourists. In The Media

Koalas colour Port’s world

5 Jan 2015PORT Macquarie, four hours drive north of Sydney, has become home to the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, featuring 50 one-metre high koala sculptures. In The Media

Koala sculptures attract Tourists

2 Jan 2015THE koala sculptures dotting our landscape are a hit with the influx of holidaymakers. In The Media

Students get to say hello to koalas

3 Dec 2014 In The Media

Kidnapped koala Starry Soul back in place on Port Macquarie’s Town Green

21 Nov 2014STARRY Soul is at last back on his plinth at Town Green, among his fellow Hello Koala Public Sculpture Trail friends, thanks to a French tourist and public outcry in more.. In The Media

Westport Public School workshop targets threatened species

17 Nov 2014Threatened wildlife species of Australia were highlighted at a workshop for Westport Public School students at Sea Acres Rainforest Centre. In The Media

Exploring Greater Port Macquarie – simply GREAT!

17 Nov 2014 “Jet and Lola were both mesmerised by the creatively decorated Bago Blossum, who stands a metre tall…” In The Media

Take your pick of snot bombs, Lego and a giant koala trail these school holidays

17 Nov 2014They breed their koalas big in Port Macquarie. Starting these school holidays 50 of them, each standing 1m tall, will be scattered throughout the koala capital of Australia. Next time more.. In The Media

Pick of the Bunch

17 Nov 2014Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail features in the “pick of the bunch” as part of the School Holiday Planner. In The Media

Crusader Koala inspires in the classroom

17 Nov 2014Hello Koalas Sculpture project began another chapter in its success story with the launch of an exhibition and a pilot extension education program initiated by Hello Koalas Community Champion, Sea more.. Press Releases

Your Guide to Regional NSW – October 2014 to April 2015

13 Nov 2014The new Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail celebrates Greater Port Macquarie’s claim to being the koala capital of Australia. Along the trail, you’ll see beautifully-painted koala sculptures. In The Media

Port Macquarie’s Hello Koalas drives tourism

13 Nov 2014The Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef and koalas remain Australia’s big tourist drawcards and Port Macquarie is claiming the title of home of the koala. In The Media

Port Macquarie New South Wales Mid Coast

13 Nov 2014The work of the Koala Hospital has been a key inspiration for a magical new arts and culture project for the region. The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is due to more.. In The Media

Cute and Creative but not so cuddly

13 Nov 2014It’s not everyday you can see 50 koalas in one place. Especially koalas that stand 1m tall. From September, Port Macquarie will become home to a bold new event, the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail, featuring 1m more.. In The Media

Say hello to koalas in Port Macquarie

10 Nov 2014Hello Koalas is a lead story with image in this newsletter focussed on tourism and event industry news. In The Media

Take in the Art of the New

10 Nov 2014Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail is featured as a must-do attraction in 2015. In The Media

Bear North for a koala cluster

10 Nov 2014 In The Media

Imagine all the people. The Hello Koalas Sculpture Project has truly captured the public’s attention

10 Nov 2014SITTING inconspicuously in the Zebu Bar at the Rydges Port Macquarie, you can’t help but notice their behaviour. Not more than 50 metres away along the Hastings River shoreline path more.. In The Media

Missing Koala found

10 Nov 2014There’s been a happy ending to the case of Port Macquarie’s missing koala sculpture.The much loved “Starry Soul” has been returned after it was stolen on Sunday night, and is more.. In The Media

Hello Koalas in the Camden Haven

31 Oct 2014The Trail is a new way for visitors to explore the region and see each of the koalas, which are hand painted and decorated by local and interstate artists. The more.. In The Media

Hello Koalas, a colourful creative ageing study

31 Oct 2014 In The Media

Koala trail pays tribute to backers

31 Oct 2014A TRAIL of metre high koalas in highly visible locations across the Hastings, Camden Haven and hinterland will represent the amazing creativity of many local artists and showcase the community more.. In The Media

A Life of Creativity

31 Oct 2014ARTISTIC extraordinaire Francessca O’Donnell has lived a life as vivid as the awe- inspiring pieces she breathes life to. In The Media

Hello Koalas

31 Oct 2014Sponsored by Forestry Corporation of NSW, this sculpture design has been a true labour of love for Pauline Roods. In The Media

Beagle is a Hero After Saving Koala Joey

31 Oct 2014 In The Media

Koala Food Secured

31 Oct 2014THE final contracts are being prepared for the purchase of a 93 hectare parcel of fertile bushland at Maria River to provide food security for the Hastings’ koala population. In The Media

Hello Koalas Inspires

31 Oct 2014The Hello Koalas Sculpture Project has received over 150 artist design submissions.The challenging task now is selecting just 50 for the large scale one-metre high fibreglass koala sculptures that will more.. In The Media

Colourful Koalas Represent Region

30 Oct 2014 In The Media

Giant koala sculptures on tour in Hastings

30 Oct 2014 In The Media

Hello Koalas Official Launch

30 Oct 2014A bright red metre high koala sculpture and its white glazed partner have been causing a stir around the town. In The Media

Metre-High Koalas to inhabit prominent sites as part of the Hello Koalas Project

30 Oct 2014September 2014 will see the proliferation of 50 or more metre-high koalas inhabiting prominent sites throughout the Local Government Area. In The Media

Hello Koalas is an exciting new local initiative

30 Oct 2014Hello Koalas is an exciting new local initiative that will bring national and international attention to our very own official Koala Sculpture Trail In The Media

Video: From Hull to Oz Warts and all

30 Oct 2014It stopped people in their tracks before hopping off with a string of plaudits. But now a Hull project has spawned a successor – 10,000 miles down under. In The Media

Port Macquarie Koala Trail excites Weekender TV crew

30 Oct 2014SYDNEY Weekender reporter Mel Symons was surrounded by koalas on Thursday as the television show filmed a segment on the Hello Koalas Public Sculpture Trail, to air on Prime7 in more.. In The Media

Hello Koalas trail features on the BBC Travel Show

30 Oct 2014The Hello Koalas sculpture trail featured in the latest BBC Travel Show’s ‘Global Guide’ of noteworthy cultural events happening around the world. In The Media

Port Macquarie’s Hello Koalas drives tourism

30 Oct 2014 In The Media

“Bago Blossum The Amaze-ing Koala” at Bago Vineyards featured in Your Guide to Regional NSW

30 Oct 2014“Your Guide to Regional NSW”, produced by Destination NSW has been inserted into more than 2 million newspapers across Australia in October and a further 280,000 have been inserted into more.. In The Media

Full page editorial on Hello Koalas

30 Oct 2014A full page of Hello Koalas editorial is in ‘Holidays with Kids’ magazine this Spring. HWK has a huge readership of over 600,000. This issue is currently on sale in more.. In The Media

Hello Koalas Sculpture Project features in Tourism Australia’s “Australian Stories”

30 Oct 2014 In The Media

Vandals attack koala sculptures

28 Oct 2014TWO koala sculptures were damaged in what is believed to be random vandalism on Friday night. The Port News’ koala sculpture, Scoop, was damaged as was Celtic Koala when the more.. In The Media

Hello Koalas makes The BEST FOR 2015

28 Oct 2014Hello Koalas makes The BEST FOR 2015 in yesterday’s Escape.com.au magazine!! In The Media

Hello Koalas and Wauchope Profiled on BBC

28 Oct 2014This month Linda Hall, Hello Koalas project manager, received a surprise email from BBC UK TV. The producer had heard about the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail and wanted to include more.. In The Media

Wauchope Businesses Back Hello Koala Project

27 Jun 2014THE Wauchope Community has mobilised to ensure that Wauchope is included on the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail. This public art community project comprises of 50 large scale one-metre high fibreglass more.. Press Releases

Laurieton Elders Vote for Favourite Hello Koalas Design

16 Jun 2014Residents living at The Whiddon Group Laurieton, a residential aged care service, will vote on their favourite design from the Hello Koalas sculpture project next Tuesday. The residents will choose more.. Press Releases

Meet Some of the New Port Macquarie Koala Family and their Artists

3 Jun 2014On 8 September when the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail opens locals and visitors to Port Macquarie alike will be able to finally see the 50 large one-metre high fibreglass koala more.. Press Releases

Wild!Rhino Sculpture Trail

31 Mar 2014Hello Koalas is pleased to be collaborating with Taronga Park Zoo in promoting the Wild! Rhino Sculpture Trail in Sydney and across regional NSW in Katoomba, Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Parkes more.. Press Releases

Iconic Australian singer/songwriter John Williamson picks up his paintbrush to help save the Koala

27 Mar 2014Iconic Australian singer/songwriter John Williamson is set to pick up his paintbrush in aid of helping to save Koalas for the new Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail soon to be launched more.. Press Releases

Hello Koalas Heads to Houston, Texas, USA!

9 Mar 2014The Hello Koalas Sculpture Project, an initiative of Arts and Health Australia, is proud to be participating in the Global Alliance for Arts and Health conference at Texas Children’s Hospital, more.. Press Releases

“Hello Koalas” says the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell

28 Feb 2014Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams and Margret Meagher, Executive Director, Arts and Health Australia have welcomed the funding commitment from NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell Share this Press Releases