Hunter Valley Archives - Page 16 of 33

7 August 20217 August 2021

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.

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.

Morning Tea Clydesdale Experience in the Upper Hunter — Hunter and Leroy at 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.

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.

14 March 202116 April 2021

Grossmann House Maitland

Grossmann House Maitland

Located in Maitland opposite St Mary’s Anglican Church, Grossmann House is a heritage-listed former residence and Maitland Girls’ High School premises and now house museum. Built in 1870 by local businessman Isaac Beckett, the house represents the success of his business with Samuel Owen. The adjacent Brough House built by Owen is an identical but mirror image design.

In 1893 the first Maitland Girls’ high School was established when both Brough and Grossmann House were purchased and converted to a school. The name is derived from the first headmistress, Jeanette Grossmann who was principal at the school from 1890-1913.

Managed by the National Trust since the mid-1960s and decorated with artefacts from the 1860s.

With the interior restored to 1870s Victorian Grossmann House is open for tours on Sundays, with tickets available online.

We enjoyed our tour, finding the guides friendly and very knowledgeable on the house, which was great when we asked questions.

Hallway

Decorated with period furniture, the hallway leads to the main living area of the house, but its most interesting feature is the restored gas lights. Although stored to working order, they were not operating during our visit.

Dining Room

Furnished with a set-dining table, the dining room looks just like it would in the 1870s. The decorations are great, although the portraits on the walls are not of the original owners, but contemporary paintings.

Wallpaper

As part of the restoration undertaken by the National Trust, the original wallpaper was recreated from fragments discovered in the house. This has added to the presentation of the house, as it looks authentic.

Ladies’ Sewing Room

Containing the furnishings expected in a ladies’ drawing room, the windows overlook the garden, giving the room a relaxed atmosphere. The wallpaper here is also recreated from fragments found during the restoration.

Sofa in the Ladies Room Grossman House — Chair With Footstool and Window View

Georgian Crystal Exhibition

Several rooms had an exhibition of Georgian crystal, which although not related to the house, made an interesting addition to the tour.

Old School Room

One room was furnished as an old school room to show how the building looked during this period. The photo on the wall is of Jeanette Grossmann the first headmistress.

Kitchen

The kitchen contains an old oven and other nineteenth century fittings, which suit the age of the house.

Grossmann House Garden

Wet weather during our visit prevented a good look around the gardens, but they look nice and would be great to walk around, if it wasn’t raining.

Grossmann House Back Garden and Laundry Building — Back Garden and Laundry Building

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

6 March 20219 March 2021

Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest

Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest

In addition to being a great beach, Dudley Beach has a rock platform containing a fossilised forest which is visible at low tide. The area contains the remnants of tree branches and stumps, which are all that remains of an ancient forest.

Getting There

Located south of Newcastle, Dudley Beach has a large well maintained car park, which makes access to the beach easy. From the car park, a sandy trail leads down to the beach.

If you intend seeing the fossilised forest, make sure to check the tides, because the rock platform is only exposed then. Unfortunately, at times, shifting sand occasionally covers the fossils. Even then, you are able to explore the rock platform and beach, which are worth visiting themselves.

Dudley Beach

Rock Platform

The wave cut rock platform where the fossilised forest sits is underwater at high tide. This makes the rocks slippery because many are covered in algae. Only visit at low tide and take care, so as to avoid a fall.

The platform’s surface has many small tidal rock pools, often the home of shellfish and crabs. Some are colourful, making them worth looking for.

Wave action has cut several large crevices into the rocks. These can provide some interesting photos during big swells as the waves crash through them.

Located above the rock platform, eroded cliffs show the effects of wind, rain and waves, with interesting forms weathered into their faces.

Large Crevice in the Rock Platform — Waves on the Rock Platform at Low Tide

Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest

The fossilised remained of the forest can be found on the rock platform at low tide. The most obvious remains are the tree stumps sticking up, as they rise above the level of the platform. Closer examination however reveals fossil branches and pieces of wood, stained with iron can be found.

Baby Blow Hole

On the far side of the rock platform, a crevice funnels waves so that a cavity has formed. This has broken through to the surface and in the right tidal conditions forms a small blowhole. Certainly not spectacular with water only shooting up a metre or two, but interesting. The Kiama blowhole would have looked like this once.

What Did We Think?

Dudley Beach and its fossilised forest was a fun visit. Not only did we find the fossils, but we saw a baby blowhole forming. A great beach, with good parking and added attractions.

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

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Category: Hunter Valley

Clydesdale Experience in the Upper Hunter

Clydesdale Experience in the Upper Hunter

Meet the Clydesdales

Morning Tea

Working the Horses

What Did We Think of the Clydesdale Experience?

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Grossmann House Maitland