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Category: Activity

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The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong

The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong

The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong

Originally built in 1934 to allow access for workers to the nearby Sanitarium factory, the Swinging Bridge replaced rowing or swimming as the means to get to work. Crossing Dora Creek at Cooranbong the bridge can be tricky to find because it is located behind residential houses. We parked in Victory Street and walked down the public access track between Nos. 19 and 29. Once behind the houses the bridge is in front of you.

Crossing the bridge is fun as it bounces slightly as you walk. On the far side of Dora Creek, the old private access road to the Sanitarium Factory leads along the creek. Lined with palm and flowering trees, the old road looks great, especially as the trees were in bloom.

The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong
Looking Over The Swinging Bridge over Dora Creek
The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong
The Swinging Bridge over Dora Creek
Pathway after leaving the bridge The Swinging Bridge Cooranbong
Old Private Road to the factory

Following the creek, we saw palm trees lining the far bank which was unexpected. The creek passes the old factory which has been closed and changed hands. Visible through the surrounding fence, the old entrance would be nice to see up close. We made do with looking over the fence, because access is not allowed.

Palms on the bank of Dora Creek
Palms on the bank of Dora Creek
The Old Sanitarium Factory
The Old Sanitarium Factory

Sandy Creek Trail

Returning to the bridge, we decided to walk the Sandy Creek Trail, because it follows two creeks and goes through regrowth woodland. A sign showed other walks in the area, but this one held more interest for us. This walk is in yellow on the photo below. The well-maintained track follows Jigadee Creek until it meets Dora Creek. At this point the M1 Motorway from Sydney to Newcastle crosses the creeks several hundred meters down Dora Creek.

The track then follows Dora Creek back to the swinging bridge, where we crossed the creek and returned to our car.

Bush Track
Bush Track
Dora Creek Looking at the M1 Motorway
Dora Creek Looking at the M1 Motorway
Map of the Tracks around Avondale
Map of the Tracks around Avondale

What Did We Think?

This was a great little walk, with some industrial heritage as well as the bridge and bush walking.

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Minnamurra Rainforest

Suspension Bridge over Minnamurra River

Minnamurra Rainforest

Part of Budderoo National Park west of Kiama, Minnamurra Rainforest is a subtropical, dry, riparian and temperate rainforest. Only a 30-minute drive from Wollongong, it’s a great place to experience the Australian bush.

Parking is available near the visitor centre, for a small fee. Alternatively, if you have an annual pass for NSW National Parks and Wildlife, parking and entry are free. Advice on the walks and information on the area is available at the visitor centre.

Two walks are available, the Lyrebird and Falls walks. It is possible to do Lyrebird and extend it to the Falls. Each takes around an hour to complete, so two hours for both. Unfortunately on our visit, heavy rain had closed the Falls Walk, so we only did Lyrebird.

The track follows the Minnamurra River, crossing it four times as you walk along its valley. The majority of the track is board walk to is easy to walk, although it is steep in places. The track also has up and down grades as you move along the valley and is rarely flat. Even so, we found it an easy walk, taking us under an hour, even with constant stops to admire the scenery.

At two points suspension bridges cross the river, providing great photo opportunities and views along the river.

Don’t rush the walk, but look at the plants growing along the path. We found some amazing looking mushrooms growing there.

Minnamurra River
Minnamurra River
Suspension bridge over the Minnamurra River
Suspension bridge over the Minnamurra River
Suspension bridge over the Minnamurra River Minnamurra Rainforest
Suspension bridge over the Minnamurra River
The boardwalk that makes up most of the track Minnamurra Rainforest
The boardwalk that makes up most of the track
Suspension Bridge over Minnamurra River
Suspension Bridge over Minnamurra River
Small creek along the walk
Small creek along the walk
Mushrooms growing on a fallen log
Mushrooms growing on a fallen log
A creek flowing through the rain forest
A creek flowing through the rain forest
Minnamurra River
Minnamurra River
Rain forest along the walk Minnamurra Rainforest
Rain forest along 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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Clydesdale Experience in the Upper Hunter

Leroy About to Start Work Clydesdale Experience in the Upper Hunter

Clydesdale Experience in the Upper Hunter

Located in the Hunter Valley near Jerrys Plains, The Clydesdale Experience is a fantastic way to spend three hours. Not only do you get to see the horses up close, but you see them work and learn their history, all in the beautiful Hunter Valley.

Visits are by appointment only, which can be done through their website.

Meet the Clydesdales

Greeted by our hosts on arrival, we then met the four Clydesdales that currently call the farm home. While getting up close to the horses, we learned about them and the owners’ history with the breed. For such large animals, they were extremely gentle, although we were reminded to be careful as they are very strong.

  • Wilfred
    Wilfred

Morning Tea

After meeting the Clydesdales, our hosts put on morning tea and coffee. Very nice coffee and homemade scones and cakes, which were delicious! Two of the horses joined us in the shade while our hosts explained all about Clydesdales.

  • Hunter and Leroy at Morning Tea
    Hunter and Leroy at Morning Tea
  • Morning Tea Clydesdale Experience in the Upper Hunter
    Morning Tea

Working the Horses

After morning tea, we went out to the ploughing field where we had a demonstration of what Clydesdales could do. We started with a demonstration of old horse powered machinery, where the horse powers a pump or grain crusher.

We then saw ploughing and were able to take part by guiding the plough. This was great fun, and everyone had a turn.

All of this in the wonderful Hunter Valley with the Wollemi National Park as a back-drop.

  • Leroy About to Start Work Clydesdale Experience in the Upper Hunter
    Leroy About to Start Work
  • Barney
    Barney
  • Harvey Relaxing After a Hard Day Supervising
    Harvey Relaxing After a Hard Day Supervising

What Did We Think of the Clydesdale Experience?

This was an amazing experience, with friendly hosts and wonderful horses making it a great time. If you want to learn about Clydesdales, how they work or just want to get up close to them, this is a great experience. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed it.