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Category: Activity

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Walking With Llamas in the Hunter Valley

Cool Llama Walking With Llamas

Walking With Llamas

Run by the Llama Collective and based at Lindemans Winery, Walking With Llamas is a fun and relaxing way to spend an hour in the Hunter Valley vineyards. Participants meet at the Lindeman’s car park where you can take pictures before you start your walk with your allocated Lama. The owners are very friendly, relaxed and amazing people that are passionate about their animals. When you get there, you have your name ticked off and then introducing to your llama. The name of our llama was Spudnik and being only a year old, was still learning what to do. Llamas were paired depending on the age and animal experience of participants.

  • Lindemans Winery
    Lindemans Winery
  • Spudnik the Llama walking with llamas
    Spudnik the Llama
  • Cool Llama Walking With Llamas
    Cool Llama
  • Walking With Llamas Ready to Go
    Walking With Llamas Ready to Go

Spudnik was great to lead around although he did like to stop and eat grass and leaves at every opportunity. At one stage he decided to lie down and refused to get up until he saw his friends walking off. They don’t like to be away from their friends at all.

The llamas all had individual personalities and friends. They liked to walk with friends which makes it easier to guide them.

There were plenty of stops to take photos with the llamas and the vineyards or Brokeback Range in the background. The owners will happily take photos for you!

Brokeback Ranges From Lindeman's Walking with Llamas
Brokeback Ranges From Lindeman’s

The hour went quickly and before we knew it we were back at the carpark where we said goodbye to Spudnik. We must add that we were not rushed at the end to go, we also got a certificate with a picture of our Llama!

Cheese Chocolate and Olive Oil at Lindemans

Whilst at the vineyard we decided to see what else there was on offer. On the second floor of the Lindemans Winery you will find Hunter Belle Cheese and Hunter Olive Co. This is a great place to go after you have finished with the llama walk and buy some great tasting products to take home. There is ample opportunity to do some amazing tasting!

Hunter Belle Cheese have some wonderful cheeses, all made from local products that are very tasty. We tasted at least six types of cheese, from brie and camembert to cheddar and blue, taking home the first two. They also have some chocolate for sale, which was also delicious, which we didn’t take home, because we ate it with our coffee from Lindemans Cafe.

Next door is Hunter Olive, selling olive oil in many different flavours, making it a great place to taste and buy more local produce.

  • Scenery Around Lindemans
    Scenery Around Lindemans
  • Hunter Belle Dairy Co.
    Hunter Belle Dairy Co.
  • Chocolate Tasting at Hunter Belle
    Chocolate Tasting at Hunter Belle
  • Hunter Valley Olive Co.
    Hunter Valley Olive Co.

What Did We Think?

We finished the morning with a coffee at the Lindeman’s Cafe overlooking the fantastic Hunter Valley scenery. Walking with Llamas was a great experience and something a little different to the usual winery tours in the Hunter Valley. We also enjoyed the cheese, chocolate and olive oil tasting, which are highly recommended.

To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.

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Balls Head Coal Loader

Coal Loadout Tunnel Balls Head

Balls Head Coal Loader

How Did We Get There?

We caught the train from Central Station to Waverton Station and then walked to Balls Head coal loader. It was a great walk through a nice neighbourhood. Alternately, you could drive and park nearby.

The Balls Head Coal is a relic of Sydney’s past when it was an exporting port. Although much of the infrastructure has gone several important sections of the old terminal remain. Entry is free and considerable effort has gone into providing access by installing quality walkways, paths and a lift.

The Coal Loader Tunnel at Balls Head

Our first area of interest was the old loadout tunnel that runs under the hill. We used the stairway to get down to it but the lift is an option if you have mobility issues. One of the twelve tunnels is open to the public allowing you to walk its whole length. The walkway is well lit, but damaged in places, so be careful with your footing. As you walk through you will meet the pigeons who have made the tunnels their homes, roosting in cavities in the walls.

Coal Loadout Tunnel Balls Head
Coal Loadout Tunnel Balls Head

The Coal Loader Wharf

After the tunnel we looked at the old wharf, at first from the lower level and later from the top of the hill for a different perspective. It appears to be in poor condition because of the many loose boards and debris scattered over it.

  • Coal Loading Wharf
    Coal Loading Wharf
  • The Old Coal Loader Wharf
    The Old Coal Loader Wharf

Upper Level

We returned to the upper level using the lift. It is glass sided giving you some great views as you go up. At the top we spent some time reading the panels that have been set up to describe the history of coal mining and its importance to the development of new south wales. Previously used for coal stockpiles, the upper level is now a modern garden and viewing area.

From this level there is a great view of the old pier as well as the Cape Don and old ferry that are moored here.

Off to your right you will also be able to get a glimpse of HMAS Waterhen where the Australian Navy bases its mine hunter ships.

  • Upper Level Coal Loader
    Upper Level Coal Loader
  • Upper Level Coal Loader
    Upper Level Coal Loader
  • MV Baragoola
    MV Baragoola
  • MV Cape Don
    MV Cape Don
  • HMAS Waterhen RAN Base
    HMAS Waterhen RAN Base

What did We Think?

The Coal Loader was a great place to visit, because of the history it displays, as well as the fantastic utilisation of an old industrial area. A combination of steps, ramps and a lift provide excellent access to all levels. It is worth visiting if you are in the area.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Long Jetty on the Central Coast

Long Jetty

Located next to The Entrance on the Central Coast, Long Jetty is a quiet coastal spot with some great scenery to enjoy. We found parking easy all along the foreshore but, imagine it would be busy during holiday periods.

Our first stop was Toowoon Beach for a coffee overlooking the beach while we relaxed after our drive. Sitting and looking over the water while drinking the coffee was very relaxing after the drive.

After this we drove to Long Beach where we parked the car and walked along the foreshore. There are thee jetties of varying lengths going into the lake. We walked out on the two largest ones for some great views and photos. The length of the jetties is deceptive and you don’t realize how long they are until you reach the end and look back.

Long Jetty
Long Jetty
Old Boat Shed on Lake Macquarie
Old Boat Shed on Lake Macquarie

There are several grassed areas with picnic facilities and families were using them. Along with the play equipment here it looked like a great place for kids.

Old Park Bench
Old Park Bench
Seat With View over the Jetty
Seat With View over the Jetty

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