For about 125 years it was the thriving business centre of the town, important mainly because it ran parallel with the Hunter River.

In the past food, produce and other materials could be loaded and off-loaded from the rear of the businesses in King Street.

The Hunter River was the major transport means before decent roads linked the town with Newcastle.

But it was the big floods of 1955 which sounded the death knell for King Street as a viable commercial centre and businesses gradually moved away from the flood-prone street.

Today most of the buildings in King Street still date from the 1890s and the street was named in honour of James King, from Irrawang.

The two large fig trees on the river side were used for the earliest marriages in the district.

In 2010, the street featured in the hit film Tomorrow, When the War Began.

It provided a different view of the town with King Street transformed into a battle zone for the film.

Since the beginning of this year, King Street has been the topic for many people in the town after Port Stephens Council announced it was preparing a Raymond Terrace/Heatherbrae Strategy.

As a result of a discussion map, many in the community have said they want the street transformed to enhance its heritage ties.