Wauchope

Postcode: 2446

Wauchope (pronounced "War-hope") is a town in the Australian state of New South Wales, in Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. It is 19 km (12 miles) inland on the Hastings River west of Port Macquarie. The town is 406 km north of the state capital Sydney.

Wauchope is the location of Timbertown, a popular heritage theme park based around the logging industry that formed the basis for Wauchope's early economy and prosperity. The town has a population of approximately 4,000 (as of 2005). It has also played an important role in the Hastings Valley dairy market.

By 1828 a number of land grants had been made along the Hastings River. It was not until 1836 that the village of Wauchope first came into existence. In that year Captain Robert Andrew Wauch (whose father dropped the 'ope' from the end of his name as a result of a family dispute) paid a deposit on 760 acres on King Creek. He bought more property and built Wauch House.

Robert Wauch died in the Macleay area in 1866, and the Government Gazette published the deeds of his properties, specifying that they should be called Wauchope. When the post office opened in a nearby settlement in 1881, it was named Wauchope, although the Government Gazette misprinted the name Wanghope, an error that was not corrected until 1889.

Wauchope was founded based on the timber industry. At different stages, the railway station shipped more timber than any other town in Australia. This is giving way to farming and other more modern industries such as tourism.

Tourism is an important part of the local economy. The Wauchope railway station services as an interchange for passengers travelling to nearby coastal centres such as Port Macquarie.

Timbertown, the best-known attraction, is a colonial-era themed village attraction, which is located on the outskirts of Wauchope. It features static displays and attractions such as a working steam train, bullock team, and a Cobb and Costage coach.[3][1] Previously, the Big Bull was an important attraction between Wachope and Port Macquarie, however it is now closed.

Other important attractions include the historical society, historic buildings, Broken Bago vineyards, and natural attractions including state forests and national parks.

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