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Category: Activity

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Hunter River Kayak Maitland

Kayakers on the Hunter River

Hunter River Kayak Maitland

An initiative of the Maitland Council to encourage people to use the Hunter River and visit the Levee Precinct, the kayaks are operated by Lake Mac Kayak and Bike Hire. We hired two double kayaks for us and our two adult children. As well as the kayaks, life jackets are provided.

As suggested by Lake Mac Kayak, we took the following items along. Bringing these items made sure we had a good time on the water, didn’t get sunburnt and got dry afterwards.

  • a hat
  • sunscreen
  • sun glasses
  • a towel to get dry afterwards
  • water-friendly shoes – we used Crocks
  • A zip-lock or waterproof bag for phones to make sure they didn’t get wet.

Having an hour to use the equipment, we went upstream, paddling against the current. Although tiring, this meant we had an easier time on the return travelling with the current.

Seeing the river from this preselected was great, giving us a different perspective of Maitland. We paddled as far as the Belmore Bridge, which was interesting to see if from the underside in the middle of the river.

We had a great time even though we got wet but because we came prepared with towels and a change of clothes we soon dried out. There are chairs to sit on the side of the river also. Paddling on the Hunter River through Maitland was a fun 60 minutes. Check the website or Maitland Council to see if it’s still operating.

So, if you’re looking for something to do, hire a kayak at Maitland and spend a fun 60 minutes on the Hunter River near the Levee in the centre of town.

Hunter River
Hunter River
View From the Middle of the River
View From the Middle of the River
Bridge Over the Hunter River Hunter River Kayak Maitland
Bridge Over the Hunter River
Kayakers on the Hunter River
Kayakers on the Hunter River
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Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk

View from the top of the tower

Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk

Ever gone walking through a forest, looked up at the trees and wondered what it would look like from the canopy? Well at the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk you can find out. Situated just over half an hour west of Kiama, this walk takes you through the canopy of a temperate rainforest.

Checking In

On arrival, check in at reception to confirm you allocated time, because there is a limit on how many people can be there each hour. Make sure you don’t miss out by booking ahead on their web site. At reception they have a small gift shop and café that sells drinks and snacks. There are also toilet facilities, so make use of them as there are none on the walk.

The Walk

The 500m walkway is constructed of sturdy steel, making you feel safe when you are on it. Walking along, you look down to the forest floor 20 to 30m below. Surrounded by trees, you really are a part of the forest canopy. At two points, 25m cantilever bridges extend out from the main walkway. These bounce slightly as you walk on them, but they are very safe and anchored by large steel cables. Walking to the end of the bridges takes you over the escarpment for amazing views.

The highlight of the walk is Knights Tower, which rises 45m above the forest floor, providing beautiful views all the way to the coast.

On the walk to or from the reception building, check out the decorations and displays on the way, including a miniature village.

What Did We Think?

We had a great time here and really enjoyed the views and also the feeling of being in the treetops. For the more adventurous, there is a zip line that runs through the trees. Of course, you could always do both if you wanted.

Tiny village
Tiny village
Covered entrance to the tree top walk
Covered entrance to the tree top walk
The walkway and trees
The walkway and trees
The walkway and trees Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
The walkway and trees
Observation tower Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
Observation tower
The walkway and tree tops from the tower Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
The walkway and tree tops from the tower
View from the top of the tower Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
View from the top of the tower
Steps
Steps leading up from the end of the walk

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

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Broken Bay Pearl Farm

Mother of Pearl Oyster Shells Broken Bay Pearl Farm

Broken Bay Pearl Farm

Established in 2003, Broken Bay Pearl Farm is New South Wales’s only pearl farm. Although Sydney Rock oysters used for eating are farmed here, this is the first business to farm pearls.

Located at Mooney Mooney on the Hawkesbury River, parking was at a premium, with some people on our tour parking at the Mooney Mooney Club and walking (only a 5-minute walk away). Starting at an old oyster shed, now used as a sales room and “Shellar Door”, we checked in and waited for the tour to start.

The two-hour tour starts with a history of oyster harvesting in Australia. Archaeological evidence indicates that Aboriginal people (the Darkinjung and Ku-ring-Gai) fished for oysters at least 20,000 years ago. With colonialization, oysters were used for food and later for use in concrete, where their shells were used for lime. Pearl farming first commenced in Broome, Western Australia in 1946.

Local pearl farming started when Agoya oysters were noticed growing on Sydney Rock oysters. This species of oyster produce beautiful mother of pearl, a prerequisite to make pearls. After trials, it was found they could be successfully farmed, leading to Broken Bay Oyster Farms.

Mother of Pearl Oyster Shells Broken Bay Pearl Farm
Mother of Pearl Oyster Shells
Oyster Shells
Oyster Shells

The Tour

After learning all about pearls, we boarded the catamaran for a one-hour cruise to see the oysters. On the way the guide stopped to show us Aboriginal rock carvings.

Located next to a beautiful little beach, the oyster lease currently contained eight-month-old oysters, because others had been moved out to sea. This was because recent rain had flushed too much fresh water into the area, which was not good for their development.

Our guide retrieved some from their baskets, so we had a chance for a close-up look at them. He then showed how pearls are seeded before they are returned to the water.

Tour Boat Broken Bay Pearl Farm
Tour Boat
Train Bridge over the Hawkesbury River
Train Bridge over the Hawkesbury River
Aboriginal Fish Rock Carvings
Aboriginal Fish Rock Carvings
Beach Near the Oyster Lease
Beach Near the Oyster Lease
8 Month Old Oysters
8 Month Old Oysters
8 Month Old Oysters
8 Month Old Oysters
Oyster Growth Stages Broken Bay Pearl Farm
Oyster Growth Stages
Pearl Seed and Damaged Pearls
Pearl Seed and Damaged Pearls

What Did We Think?

This was a great tour and something we hadn’t heard about before. Until discovering them, we had no idea about farming pearl oysters on the east coast, let alone being able to go on a tour. We really enjoyed the two hours we were there, because it was interesting and educational.