Hunter Valley Archives - Page 26 of 33

26 April 201924 July 2022

Balloon Aloft in the Hunter Valley

Balloon Aloft

We had an amazing time with Balloon Aloft from arrival until the trip was over. The day starts at 5:15AM when you need to check in. The gate was marked by red flashing lights and people were stationed inside to show you where to park and then direct you to the check in area. To help with the early morning, coffee is available free of charge.
Once everyone is signed in and you are given a coloured sticker for your group, there is a safety briefing and then you are taken to a minibus for the ride to the take off field. This changes daily depending on the winds.
For our trip, take off was from the Cessnock gun club and there were ten balloons from different companies preparing for launch. It was a fantastic sight as all these balloons slowly inflated and took off.

We spent an hour quietly floating over the vineyards of the Hunter Valley. The view is breathtaking and the quiet of the balloon ride adds to the amazing feeling.

Landing and Breakfast

After an hour in the air our pilot chose a field to land in and we made a surprisingly smooth landing. We had thought it would be a bit bumpy but instead it was very gentle.

The ground crew were there to meet us having been in radio contact with the pilot. We all helped pack the balloon away and then went back to Petersons Winery for breakfast. On your arrival you were offered orange juice and champagne.

As part of the package we booked, breakfast was included and we didn’t have to wait long before what we had ordered was delivered. This was a great way to finish the morning and we left with great memories of a fantastic experience.

For other great trips around the Hunter Valley,please click here.

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28 December 201812 May 2019

Hands On Beekeeping Workshop Newcastle

How often have you seen shows on television where people get dressed up in white protective clothes and open up a beehive? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have bees crawling over and flying around you while you looked at their hive? If you do, Hands On Beekeeping Workshop Newcastle is a great educational experience that we really enjoyed.

The Hands on Beekeeping Workshop is run in Toronto (Newcastle New South Wales; not the Toronto in Canada). The workshop is scheduled to run two and a half hours, but often goes longer, to ensure everyone gets to participate and all questions are answered. Ours went for three hours and we enjoyed every minute, because it was so interesting.

Bee Keeping Theory

Starting with the different types of hives and their maintenance, we then moved on to learn about keeping the bees healthy and the hives clean of pests. We were shown how the bees build their honeycombs and raise new worker, drone and queen bees. This theory section was fascinating and provided all of the information we would need to start our own hives.

The Hands On Bit

The practical section started with smoking the bees to make them docile, followed by removing the lid. A brood frame was removed and any bees on it removed by shaking them back into the hive. This ensures they are safe during the cleaning process. In order to check each frame with ease you need to put the brood frame on the ground beside the hive. Using a hive tool the frames were cleaned of extra bits of burr comb . Each frame is then taken out Individually to inspect before being replaced. The last step is to put everything back together, being careful not to hurt any bees. Everyone was able to do this and is was incredibly interesting, it was deceiving how heavy some of the frames were when filled with honey. We enjoyed doing this!

With the practical side finished, we tasted some of the honey we had harvested. It really tastes great straight from the honeycomb, because it is so fresh.

What Did We Think?

We had a great time doing something different and came away with the knowledge to start up a hive if we want to. The hands on experience was great, because you were able to do everything yourself.

Bee Hives Hands On Beekeeping Workshop Newcastle — Bee Hives

Bees Entering the Hive Hands On Beekeeping Workshop Newcastle — Bees Entering the Hive

Open Hive Hands On Beekeeping Workshop Newcastle — Open Hive

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16 December 201816 December 2018

Fingal Bay and Port Stephens Lighthouse

Fingal Bay

Located in Port Stephens near Newcastle Fingal Bay is a quiet town catering to the tourists interested in the beach and surroundings. Our reason for visiting was to walk across the sand spit from the mainland to Shark Island. This spit is submerged at high tide, so we chose two hours before low tide for the walk. There are warning signs stating the dangers of crossing if the spit is submerged. We started the morning with a snack at the Longboat Cafe before walking down the beach and across to the island. This was a very relaxing walk, with great scenery.

Rock Formations Shark Island Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia — Rock Formations on Shark Island

Mount Tamaree From Shark Island Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia — Mount Tamaree From Shark Island

Port Stephens Lighthouse and Shark Island

Once on the island, we followed the marked trail to the Port Stephens Lighthouse, which was an easy walk. Well maintained, the lighthouse is still operational and therefore cannot be entered. The old lighthouse keeper’s cottage is being restored by National Parks and Wildlife, but still looks nice, with its old sandstone walls. Before returning to across the spit, we explored the sand cove on the island. Here, we found some interesting rock formations as well as views out to Tomaree Headland.

Walking Track to Port Stephens Lighthouse Shark Island Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia — Walking Track to Port Stephens Lighthouse

Port Stephens Lighthouse Shark Island Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia — Port Stephens Lighthouse

Light House Keeper's Cottage Shark Island Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia — Light House Keeper’s Cottage

Barry Park Lookout

While in the area, we also visited Barry Park Lookout. There are beautiful views out over Fingal Bay towards Shark Island, making this a great stop while here. The gardens and short walks are well put together and maintained and the seating makes it a great place for a picnic.

Barry Point Lookout Fingal Bay Port Stephens Australia — Barry Point Lookout

We have previously walked to the summit of Mount Tomaree and visited Nelson Bay and these are two other great options if you are in the area.

Remember to check the tide times for Fingal Bay before you go as people have drowned in the area, while trying to cross the spit.

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

Category: Hunter Valley

Balloon Aloft in the Hunter Valley

Balloon Aloft

Landing and Breakfast

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Hands On Beekeeping Workshop Newcastle

Hands On Beekeeping Workshop Newcastle

Bee Keeping Theory

The Hands On Bit

What Did We Think?

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Fingal Bay and Port Stephens Lighthouse

Fingal Bay

Port Stephens Lighthouse and Shark Island

Barry Park Lookout

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Balloon Aloft

Landing and Breakfast

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Hands On Beekeeping Workshop Newcastle

Bee Keeping Theory

The Hands On Bit

What Did We Think?

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Fingal Bay

Port Stephens Lighthouse and Shark Island

Barry Park Lookout

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