The map, drawn up in the early 1900s, is a proposed design for the development of Pindimar City which was hoped to act as a port to international shipping and naval base for the Pacific Fleet.

The map alongside story panels detailing the Port's natural and human history, audio-visuals and artifacts, artworks by local artists and information on East Coast shipwrecks will also be part of TMA's free exhibition, which has been funded through a Port Stephens Council vibrant spaces grant.

"This vibrant spaces display represented a wonderful collaboration between the Tomaree Museum Association, Port Stephens Historical Society and Australian National Maritime Museum," TMA chair Ian Farnsworth said.

"This grant... enables us to provide a unique attraction that showcases the region's history and identity."

The exhibition will also launch the Tomaree Museum Project, outlining TMA's vision to develop a world class, publicly owned regional culture centre in Port Stephens.

Its core element will be the Tomaree Museum, which would tell stories of local history and environment, and explore the community's identity.

The pop-up exhibition will be held at Broughtons at the Bay at d'Albora Marina from December 21 to January 8. It will be open each day except Christmas Day from 10am to 4pm.

The map of Pindimar City was loaned to TMA by Phil Power, the great grandson of Fred Phillips, a businessman who lived in Nabiac in 1903 and advocated for the Pindimar City plans.

Designed by W. Scott Griffiths and covering an area of 7000 acres, the Pindimar City plans included farming lots for returned soldiers, a railway link, industrial and educational zones, a cathedral, golf links and cemeteries.

The proposal was later rejected and the city never eventuated.

"Pindimar is a great example of the sometimes obscure but important history of Port Stephens," Mr Farsworth said.

"Port Stephens' north shore towns feature prominently in the heritage being promoted by the Tomaree Museum project."