Running along the northern side of the Wagonga Inlet, the Mill Bay Boardwalk is the perfect way to appreciate Narooma. Narooma itself is located on the New South Wales south coast, around a three-hour drive from Canberra, Australia.
Getting There
Access is very easy, with a large carpark nearby. Accessible to wheelchairs, the boardwalk is flat and runs for 350m around the bay.
The Boardwalk
While walking along the boardwalk, keep a lookout for wildlife. We were lucky enough to see an Australasian Darter eating a fish it had caught. Resting on a rock not far away, a pelican was sunning itself and drying its wings.
At several places, the pathway has been widened and bench seats installed so that people can fish. This is great, because it allows room to fish, while people can walk through on the boardwalk without getting tangles in fishing lines.
This was a nice little walk with great views over the water. Worth having a look at if you are in the area.
Australasian Darter eating a fishAustralasian Darter eating a fishInformation board on seagrassPelican drying itself offLooking over Wagonga Inlet from the Mill Bay BoardwalkThe BoardwalkSteps leading up to Centenary DriveBench seats and fishing spot on the boardwalkYacht moored on Wagonga Inlet
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Nestled on the banks of a lake with the same name, Smiths Lake is a small village in the Myall Lakes National Park. We spent a week there using it as a base to explore the surrounding lakes, bush walks and beaches.
Facilities in town are limited to a bakery, general store, bowling club, and café. We found most of what we needed at the general store, had some meals at the bowling club and coffee at the Frothy Coffee.
Our accommodation was a beautiful holiday house overlooking the lakeshore. We could walk along the shore to the café, or just enjoy wonderful views over the lake. A deck at the rear was perfect for relaxed evenings where we often had guest kookaburras and lorikeets visit.
A beautiful place to visit. Not far from Newcastle with plenty to see and do.
The Frothy Coffee CafeView over the lakeThe lake shoreBoats at the lake shoreView from our accommodationRainbow LorikeetKookaburraSunset over the lake from our accommodation
Based at Bobs Farm near Port Stephens, the Shark and Ray Rescue Centre is dedicated to the rehabilitation and rehousing of sharks and rays. An association with local Professional Fishermen allows injured sharks, rays, and other marine creatures caught as a by-catch to be saved.
Getting There
Interior of the Centre
Housed undercover, the centre operates in all weathers, so is great to visit on a rainy day when other activities in Port Stephens close. With only a 40-minute drive from Newcastle, or 20 minutes from Port Stephens it’s easy to get to. Parking is on site with plenty of room available.
What to See When You Arrive
On arrival, a staff member takes you around the centre, so that you are familiar with what’s on display and how to interact with them.
We chose to walk around the tanks and enclosures to view the displays, but for a small fee you can also get in the tanks and feed the sharks. Several people were doing this, mostly young families. They seemed to be having a great time in the water and the sharks they were with were not dangerous.
Leopard SharkPort Jackson SharkPort Jackson SharkFiddler RayFiddler RayShovelnose RayStingrayStingray
Birds
The Centre has expanded its operations to include other animals in need, including birds. We were pleased to be able to enter the parrot aviary where a staff member explained about them. Even better, they perched on our shoulders and arms, which was something we were not expecting to do when we arrived.
Eclectus parrot
Chestnut Fronted Macaw
Other Displays
Housed in large enclosures and several glass cages, the centre has a collection of lizards on display.
A butterfly house has now opened giving visitors the opportunity to see them up close. Our visit did not match its open times, so we will have to go back to see it.
At times, octopus and other marine creatures may be housed here. This is variable, depending on the need to rehabilitate the.
This was a fun and interesting place to visit. A great way to see sharks and rays up close, something you don’t often get to do. The experience with the parrots was also great as was seeing the lizards. It’s wonderful that someone is helping rehabilitate injured marine life and rehousing them.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
