Hastings Region

The Hastings catchment extends from the New England tablelands to the Pacific Ocean, encompassing 84km of coastline. The population of around 85,000 is dominated by the town of Port Macquarie, situated at the mouth of the Hastings River. Other major towns include Wauchope and Laurieton. The catchment comprises two major rivers, the Hastings, and the Camden Haven which flows through coastal lakes to the sea.

Large areas of State Forest and National Park occur in the steep upper reaches of the catchment as well as on the coast. The fertile Comboyne Plateau and alluvial soils of the middle reaches of the rivers support dairy and beef industries. In the lower reaches, grazing, fishing, oysters, grapes, tourism, and urban and rural residential are important land uses. Timber, grazing and tourism are significant industries in the steep and less fertile upper reaches of the catchments. Wauchope serves as the major regional centre for the inland area.

Area (km2)	4484
Number of sub catchments	17
Tree Cover	72%
Major Land Uses	Dairy, grazing and timber production