AdBlock Detected

It looks like you're using an ad-blocker!

Our team work realy hard to produce quality content on this website and we noticed you have ad-blocking enabled.

Category: animals

Posted on

Blueberry Picking at The Giving Farm

Blueberry Bushes at The Giving Farm

The Giving Farm Blueberry Picking

A great way to spend some time on the weekend is to go blueberry picking. Not only do you get some lovely fresh blueberries, but you spend a relaxing time in the outdoors away from the city.

How to Get There

Located on Durren Road, Jilliby on the New South Wales Central Coast, The Giving Farm uses organic farming practices to supply fresh fruit and veggies. Parking is available on the road outside the farm, but don’t worry it’s only 50m to the blueberry patch. Currently, booking is required to ensure only a safe number of people arrive at one time, so ensure you do this before going.

Blueberry Picking

On arrival, you are met by the friendly owners, who explain the farm and how to pick the berries. You get as many punnets to fill as you want, which you pay for as you leave. Currently it is a requirement that you wear a mask while at the farm and while picking the berries. With twelve different varieties to choose from, we took half an hour to fill a punnet while wandering around the rows of bushes.

Blueberry Bushes at The Giving Farm
Blueberry Bushes at The Giving Farm
Blueberries Ready to Pick
Blueberries Ready to Pick
A Freshly Picked Punnet of Blueberries at The Giving Farm Blueberry Picking
A Freshly Picked Punnet of Blueberries

Other Activities

When we arrived, the field across the road had horses next to the fence, so we took some photos of them. Before leaving, we met the new additions to the farm, some milking goats, who were very friendly.

Throughout the year, the activities change, ranging from tulip and sunflower to strawberry picking.

  • Two Horses in the Fields Next Door
    Two Horses in the Fields Next Door
  • One of the Milking Goats
    One of the Milking Goats

What did We Think?

We had a great time, with friendly people and delicious fresh berries. We will be going back when the other activities are available.

Posted on

Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel

The Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel

We visited Helensburgh on a trip from The Hunter Valley to Jervis Bay, which made a fun, if a little out of the way stop. The main reason for going there was to see the Glow Worm Tunnel, an old railway tunnel, now disused but home to glow worms. In the past the tunnel was full of water, which added to rumours that it had a steam train in it. After draining, this was found to be untrue! You can however still see a good length of platform when entering the tunnel.

Access to the Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel

For four weeks each year, the tunnels close, to allow the colony of glow worms time for breeding. During this time the gates are locked closed and there is a $1,000 fine. Note the locals love this tunnel, and want to keep it in good condition, so respect for when it is closed is important. You will need to see the website for closing dates.

Just outside the tunnel is a small car park, off the road, which leads to the entrance through a gateway. A sign at the gate reminds visitors of the fragile nature of the glow worms’ environment and asks that lights and noise be kept to a minimum. This is only opened for a short period of time during the day, as people were climbing the fence to enter.

The Tunnel and the Glow Worms

Overgrown with ferns the ground near the entrance to the old tunnel was very wet when we visited. If visiting after rain, the tunnel can become flooded so use caution when entering. Some old train tracks are visible and can be followed into the tunnel, but after 50m, they disappear. The floor of the tunnel is muddy, and footing can be slippery, so wear appropriate footwear. We took good hiking boots even though it was only a short walk, glad we did.

After walking in until the outside light disappeared and waiting patiently, the glow worms came out for an amazing display.

Another great glow worm tunnel exists at Newness in the Wollemi National Park.

  • The Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel
    The Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel
  • Tunnel Entrance
    Tunnel Entrance
  • Looking Down the Tunnel From Inside
    Looking Down the Tunnel From Inside
  • Looking Back Out of the Tunnel
    Looking Back Out of the Tunnel

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

Our photos are available for purchase on

Posted on

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.

Our photos are available for purchase on