Hunter Valley Archives - Page 12 of 33

5 April 20225 April 2022

The Mighty Hunter Valley

Originally a brick works that diversified into terracotta pottery for pipes and tiles, the site has undergone many changes while maintaining its heritage listing. Additions by previous owners included accommodation, a restaurant and a brewery, while maintaining a link to the past through its name – Potters Hotel Brewery Resort. The current owners Foghorn Brewery renamed it The Mighty Hunter Valley and upgraded and modernised the facilities.

Located five minutes from Cessnock or 20 minutes from Singleton in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, it is in the heart of wine country. Driving there takes you past many picturesque vineyards, most of which offer cellar door sales and tasting.

The five heritage listed brick kilns are an easy way to find the brewery as they can be seen from the road. After parking, we walked around them to take a few pictures before heading inside. Visible from the bar, the brewery has tours available, but not on the day we visited. Instead, we chose a beer tasting, buying a paddle each. You choose four beers per tasting depending on your preference.

We sat outside under a veranda to drink and relax. Deciding that we would have lunch there too, we ordered at the adjacent restaurant and had several more relaxing beers before eating.

We enjoyed going here, the beer was great and the meals delicious. The outdoor setting in the shade was relaxing and peaceful.

Pottery Kiln The Mighty Hunter Valley — Pottery Kiln

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

2 April 202231 March 2022

Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre

Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre New South Wales Australia

The recently opened Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre (March 2022) is an extension of the Visitor Information Centre showcasing local artists. Including a café, playground, and children’s bike track, it’s a great place to stop when passing through town for a break to stretch the legs. Also in the area is a World War Two Matilda II tank, just next to the highway.

The Visitor Information Centre contains displays of local produce, like wines and a help desk. The help desk can provide you with information on local events, places to go and accommodation.

Past the help desk, the art gallery contains two galleries which host rotating displays by local artists.

Located in the same building, Parkview Café offers light meals and refreshment for weary travellers passing through. There is also a deck out the back where you can relax and look over the park.

Entrance to the Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre — Entrance to the Cultural Centre

Inside the Visitor Information Centre Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre — Entrance to the Cultural Centre

We Are Singleton: Portrait of a Town by Edwina Richards

Edwina Richards’ photographic study of the people of Singleton is displayed in the main gallery. The portraits show the life of everyday people, celebrating the diverse identity of Singleton in 2022.

This display leaves the gallery on 8 May 2022.

We Are Singleton: Portrait of a Town by Edwina Richards

Mapping Wanaruah / Wonnarua by Debbie Becker

We really enjoyed the exhibition by Debbie Becker, not only because of the style, but because the art depicts local culture. Places like the fig tree meeting place, events such as bushfires and historically important events such as the Myall Creek Massacre are included.

Debbie’s work is on display until 8 May 2022, so you will need to be quick to see it.

Fig Tree Meeting Place by Debbie Becker Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre — Myall Creek Massacre by Debbie Becker

Matilda Tank

Located outside the café, the Matilda tank gives Townhead Park its unofficial name of Tank Park. Easily visible from the highway it’s very popular with kids, because the can climb all over it.

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

31 March 20225 April 2022

Warbirds Over Scone Air Show 2022

Warbirds Over Scone Air Show 2022

Having purchased tickets pre-covid, we were pleased to be finally going to the Warbirds Over Scone 2022. Unfortunately, the wet weather that has plagued the summer in Eastern Australia paid a visit. The Sunday we attended was particularly wet. Constant showers and low cloud cover resulted in no planes taking off, which was understandable. You do not put pilots at risk, just for an air show. Anyway, we did get to see the planes on the ground, even if not flying.

Some planes were able to fly the day before, so people who attended on Saturday saw the warbirds in the sky. The big drawcard this year were three Spitfires, four P-51 Mustangs and four P-40 Kittyhawk fighters. This was a record for an Australian air show, with crowds on Saturday seeing them in the sky all together.

Getting There

Driving the hour from Singleton to Scone was an easy drive, despite the wet weather. Parking at the airport was well organised, with a field opposite the entrance set up for cars.

Tickets

We purchased gold tickets online beforehand, but because of covid the air show was delayed almost two years. With no planes flying due to the weather, the advantage of gold class, which was grandstand seating to get a better view of the flying was not there. Because the planes were directly in front of us, we had a close-up view of them. Unfortunately, there was no undercover seating here, so we spent some time in the general admission area, where we could shelter from the rain.

The Air Show

Walking around the airfield we saw the planes that were on display, with several we had not seen before. This included several of the Spitfires and P-51s.

By midday, the organisers cancelled all flying for the day, but opened the flight line, so that spectators could get up close to the warbirds. We thought this was a great fall-back option and jumped at the opportunity. Being able to get up close to the warbirds and talk to the owners and pilots was a real bonus.

We also spoke to the owner of one of the kubelwagens (a German car from World War Two). It turned out to be a survivor from the Battle of Kursk on the Eastern Front. He was great to talk to and very knowledgeable about its history and historic armour vehicles in general.

So, despite the weather and no flying, we saw some great planes, armoured vehicles and spoke to some interesting people. Not the day we had planned, but still fun.