The Aberdeen Highland Games is held annually in the Upper Hunter town of Aberdeen in New South Wales Australia.
Getting There
Held in Jefferson Park Aberdeen, access is very easy with signs directing you where to go for parking and entry to the park. There is ample parking available on site which is managed by with local SES volunteers. They will direct you to a parking spot and ensure they car parking is orderly so that people can get in and out safely.
Buying Tickets to the Aberdeen Highland Games
Tickets can be purchased on the day, or on-line. On-line purchases give you a discount of $5.00 (in 2018). Tickets purchased on-line also enable faster entry which is a great way to avoid queuing.
All action is based in one of two ovals and a dancing stage and fully surrounded with market stalls selling Scottish heirlooms and souvenirs.
It’s very cold so rug up or dress in theme.
Typical Scotsman at the Games
Events on the Day
Initially there is an opening chieftain’s address welcoming guests and sponsors and giving information about what’s happening during the day (you can also buy a guide book).
The day’s events then start with the massed pipe bands. Each clan and band enters dressed their clan’s tartan playing bagpipes and drums. Once all of the bands are on the field, they perform a massed march of the bands. They march up and down the field several times, so there is ample opportunities to see everything and take photos.
Massed Pipe Bands
The Australian Defence Force sent the Australian Federation Guard Precision Drill Team. Selected from all three services, they provided an amazing display of precision marching and weapons firing.
Australian Federation Guard Precision Drill Team
The Scottish dancing competitions are held on the central stage. These are very popular, so to get a good view, get in early and get a good spot.
The strong men in the tartan warriors competition is a highlight of the day. Events include the sheaf toss, caber toss and commenced with the stones, or Clach Cuid Fir.
The Tartan Warriors
The bands compete individually to choose the best band, so the sound of bagpipes is in the air the whole day. This gives a great atmosphere throughout the day.
To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.
Singleton is located in the New South Wales Hunter Valley. The region is known for its vineyards and coal mines. Often used as a rest point or base for further adventures in the area the town has a few things that are worth looking at if you are in the area.
Burdekin Park
At one time this was the centre piece of the town. A nice park with mature trees (cirrus pines) and the town’s war memorials. Unfortunately a colony of fruit bats colonised the trees and over the last few years have severely damaged them. As a result most of the large trees have been removed. The Park is now very open, but safe to enter.
If you are interested in the fruit bats there are still some inhabiting the remaining trees, but not the vast numbers that were previously present.
War Memorial
The Singleton War Memorial is located in the centre of Burdekin Park. It commemorates the sacrifices made by local residents in wars Australia fought in. The ANZAC ceremony was held here until the bats arrived and has now been moved next to the civic centre.
War Memorial
South African War Memorial Burdekin Park
Mayor Munro Monument Fountain
Historical Museum
Also located in Burdekin Park, the Museum houses some interesting relics from Singleton’s past. If the Museum is not open, there are some external exhibits of old farming equipment on display. For the full story about the museum, please click here.
Singleton Historical Society Museum
Tractors at Singleton Historical Museum
Townhead Park
If travelling from Newcastle this is the first park you will see when entering town. There are plenty of car spots available along with picnic areas and covered tables. There is also a great playground for kids to let them run around after hours in a car.
The town’s tourist information site is located here, along with a café with outside seating available overlooking the park.
Also located in the park is a Matilda Tank used by the Australian Army in World War Two.
Matilda Tank Townhead Park Singleton
Saint Catherine’s Church
Located on Queen Street, Saint Catherine’s is the town’s Catholic Church. The area comprises the church, school and convent of the Sisters of Mercy. The sisters have a tour available called Sacred Spaces which allows you to see their buildings and gardens.
St Catherine’s Catholic Church Singleton
World’s Biggest Sundial
The World’s biggest sundial can be found on Ryan Avenue overlooking the Rise Point sports fields. A present to the town from a mining company to celebrate Australia’s bicentenary.
Giant Sundial Rose Point
Jacarandas in Bloom
If you visit Singleton during the jacaranda flowering season, around October, you are greeted by a sea of purple..
Jacarandas in Bloom
Civic Precinct
The civic precinct contains Singleton’s council buildings. In addition there is a statue commemorating early European settlers in the area and a memorial for service personnel. This memorial is the location for the Anzac Day dawn service held each year on the 25th of April.
Pioneer Statue Singleton
War Memorial Civic Centre Singleton
Court House
The Singleton Courthouse is located in Elizabeth Street. Built in 1841, it is still in operation today.
Court House Singleton
Wynyard Street Corner Shop
This is one of the original corner shops that used to exist in small towns but have mostly disappeared. The sort of shop that stocks the essentials so that you don’t need to visit the supermarket.
General Store Singleton
Uniting Church
A nice church shaded by a lot of trees in the centre of Singleton.
Uniting Church Singleton
All Saints Church
Located in High Street the All Saints Anglican Church dates from 1913, although there has been an Anglican Church on the site since 1845.
All Saints Anglican Church Singleton
Presbyterian Church
The old Presbyterian Church is located just up from the Court House in Elizabeth Street. No longer a Presbyterian Church, it is used by the Singleton Evangelical Church.
Presbyterian Church Singleton
Apex Lookout
The lookout is situated out of town near the light industrial area. It gives a nice view over Singleton and the surrounding area. While you are here have a look at the mural painted on the toilet block. Unfortunately it is a little faded and over sprayed but worth a quick look.
Street Art – Toilet Block Lookout Singleton
York Street Aboriginal Mural
What used to be an old rusty iron fence has been painted in an aboriginal theme. Is is located near the Singleton RSL in York Street.
Street Art York Street Singleton
Singleton Train Station
The Singleton Train Station dating from 1863 is a nice old building on the edge of town. Worth having a look at if you are passing by.
Railway Station Singleton
Nearby
Camberwell
Located in the small village of Camberwell 15-minute drive north of Singleton is St Clements Anglican Church. No longer in use for services, the church’s interior was extensively damaged by fire in 2009. If you are driving the New England Highway and want to see a typical small village church, stop here and have a look.
A small dirt track leads down to the church just past the turn off from the highway. On arriving we found the gate to the churchyard unlocked, so we walked around the grounds.
This church was often booked by people from out of town for weddings because of its appearance, but unfortunately the fire has stopped that.
St Clements Anglican Church
Whittingham
Two memorials can be found on the east side of Singleton at the intersection of the New England Highway and Range Road, Howe Memorial Reserve, Whittingham. Located near the rail overpass to Range Road, a parking bay makes stopping to have a look easy.
The first and largest commemorates the sesquicentenary of the arrival of John Howe`s exploration party in the vicinity on the 15th March, 1820.
Sesquicentenary of John Howe Expedition Memorial
The second, smaller monument commemorates those from the district who served in World War One. Originally the Whittingham War Memorial had a German machine gun on top, but this is now missing.
Whittingham War Memorial
So if you are passing through Singleton or staying for a few days, there are a few things to see around town that will keep you occupied for a few hours.
To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.
There are some great beaches south of Newcastle as well as some interesting sights to view along the way. The beaches are nearly all fantastic and most of them are good for surfing as well as a swim or relaxing on the sand.
Lifeguards do not patrol all of these beaches, so if you plan a swim, you should go to a patrolled beach and swim between the flags. This way, if you or someone with you gets into difficulty in the water, a lifeguard is nearby.
Snapper Point is part of the New South Wales National Parks Monmouth State Conservation Area. As such you need to abide by any sign they have placed. There is a small car park when you arrive and a small fee for using the park. This was the only place we visited on the day with a parking fee.
As the name implies, it is a popular fishing spot. It is popular with rock fishers, who cast out into the ocean for the fish. From the number of memorials there, it has also proven fatal to some fishermen who have been swept from the rocks and drowned. There are now safety rings in place should anyone fall in.
We stayed clear of the lower wave washed rocks and admired the views from the top. There is a series of sea caves cut into the cliffs nearby and they are clearly visible from the lookout. The ocean views are great, but it was the sea caves that we came to see and watching the ocean waves rolling into them was amazing.
Snapper Point Sea Cave
Snapper Point
Frazer Beach
Frazer Beach is in
the Lake Munmorah State Conservation Area so is very close to Snapper Point and
adjacent to Bongon Beach. It has a camping ground right next to the beach or
you can pay for a day pass at the machines in the car park.
The beach is amazing
being wide and sandy with rock platforms on either side. Surfing is popular
here and a few groups were out in the surf when we arrived. This isn’t a
patrolled beach so swimming is not advised.
To the north of the
beach is Bongon Beach and Snapper Point while to the south is a large rock
platform, which we walked over. It has some interesting rock pools and
geological features although we found the rock pools at Bongon Beach to be
better. There were also a few rock fishermen here trying their luck.
Frazer Beach
Geological Formation South of Frazer Beach
Bongon Beach
Bongon Beach, located between Snapper Point and Frazer Beach is a very small sandy beach but has some very nice rock pools in the adjacent rock platform.
We walked to Bongon from Frazer Beach by climbing over the rock ledge dividing the two beaches. The platform near Snapper Point was very interesting as we arrived at low tide and all of the rock pools were exposed. Some were very nice with great colours and it was nice to watch the tide forcing the water into them. During the summer months these rock pools would definitely be the place to sit and relax.
Bongon Beach
Rock Pool Near Bongon Beach
Rock Pool Near Bongon Beach
Waves Filling a Rock Pool Near Bongon Beach
Catherine Hill Bay
Catherine Hill Bay is one of the best surfing spots on the coast. It has a great beach, surf house; and the town’s pub is legendary. Unfortunately for us there was a lot of road work being done in the town and the pub was full. So instead, we walked on the beach for a while and then checked out the old heritage listed coal loading pier.
Catherine Hill Bay Surf Club
Catherine Hill Bay Beach
The Beach at Catherine Hill Bay
Catherine Hill Bay Coal Loading Pier
It is a very pleasant spot and very relaxing. As we walked along the beach we were able to see people surfing and some old wooden piers sticking out of the sand, slowly being weathered away.
Coal Loading Pier at Catherine Hill Bay
Old Wooden Piers at Catherine Hill Bay
Caves Beach
Another of the great beaches south of Newcastle is Cave’s Beach named not surprisingly after the sea caves in the area. If you want to explore the cave, make sure you go at low tide. You can check this on the internet. At high tide, the cave is flooded, and access is cut off. During the week we have found it to be quiet, but on a sunny weekend, it will be crowded, with people swimming and exploring the cave.
Cave’s Beach Sea Cave at High Tide
Main Cave at Cave’s Beach
Main Cave at Cave’s Beach Looking Out
Looking out of the Main Cave
Rock Platform at Cave’s Beach
Rocks and Algae at Caves Beach
Entering the cave is not dangerous. There are no warning signs and access is free. You can walk through the cave and out the other side to a rock platform. The cliff here also has some smaller caves to look at. The platform itself is quite interesting, with rock pools with algae growing in them. Be careful of your footing as the rocks can be slippery.
There is a kiosk next to the beach selling snacks and cold drinks during the week. On the weekends, there is a bar that also opens.
A larger post on Caves Beach and surrounding walking tracks can be found here.
Swansea Heads and Reid’s Mistake
Swansea Headland looks over the entrance to the Swansea Channel and down onto Reid’s Mistake Head. There is a great view from here and if you drive to the end of the track, you will find the Maritime Rescue Station with more great views.
Below the headland, you can access the base of the cliff and the rock platform from a car park near Reid’s Reserve. If you look carefully at low tide, you will find the remains of a petrified forest that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption and buried in volcanic ash. The cliff is made of tuff, a stone made from the ash of the volcanic eruption.
Volcanic Tuff in the Cliff at at Reid’s Mistake
Reid’s Mistake Fossil Tree
Fossilised Tree Trunk
Fossilised Tree Trunk
Rock Patterns
Reid’s Mistake Rock Platform
Redhead Beach
Our last stop heading north was Redhead Beach. This is a very popular Newcastle beach and has a big car park and facilities. The most striking feature, apart from the excellent beach is the old shark spotting tower perched on rocks in front of the club house.
Redhead Beach Shark Tower
So, if you want to visit some beaches south of Newcastle and do more than just swim or sunbathe, give some of these places a try.
As you drive along the highway, see if the can spot the Big Prawn on top of the sign for a closed shopping centre. Australia loves its “Big” things.
The Big Prawn
If you want to read about Newcastle Beaches, click here
