Macksville is located on the banks of the Nambucca River 498 km north-east of Sydney and 12 km south of Nambucca Heads. Noted for its fishing and oyster-farming, it is Kumbaingeri or Ngamba Aboriginal land.
The first Europeans were cedar-cutters who explored the Nambucca and Bellinger Rivers searching for timber in 1839.
After the 1861 Lands Act, the first white settlers began to establish large dairy herds. A small settlement known as Nambucca or Central Nambucca emerged in the 1870s at the same time as Bowraville and Nambucca Heads.
The name Macksville is derived from two Scotsmen, known as Angus Mackay and Hugh McNally, who subdivided their selections for a township which became known as 'Mack's Village'. In 1885 McNally became the first licensee of the Star Hotel. East of the Hotel there was once a public wharf used by steamers which picked up timber and cream from the district. By 1897 the village had 120 settlers, a police station, courthouse, post office, school and bank. The railway arrived in 1919.
A park in town is named after Frank Partridge, a local who won the Victoria Cross in 1945 for leading a successful attack against Japanese bunkers in the Bougainville campaign.
Fishing and boating are popular. You will find boat ramps on both sides of the river.
The Macksville District Ex-Servicemen's Club first opened its doors as a licensed club on December 2 1948 and has steadily grown to become the thriving club it is today. Located right on the highway in the centre of Macksville, with off street parking and easy access for all, our Club offers a relaxing friendly atmosphere. The Club is newly re-furbished, and presents first class facilities for dining, entertainment, functions and meetings.
