Before the North Coast railway, one of the main deterrents to attracting more tourists to Port Macquarie was the sea voyage. A newspaper article in 1912 advocating for the railway reported ‘It is well known that many people, and especially ladies, will not brave a sea voyage under any circumstances; but if sure and comfortable railway travelling were provided, there are hundreds of families in Sydney who would be delighted to visit a restful and charming place like Port Macquarie’.