One of the prime attractions in Port Stephens is the Koala Sanctuary. Not only does it allow you to see koalas, but it rehabilitates injured ones, while providing a place to live for those that cannot be returned to the wild.
Accommodation
An excellent accommodation option for the Port Stephens region are the cabins available at the sanctuary. This allows visitors to see the koalas in the evenings and mornings when they are more active.
Accommodation
Koala Sculptures
After paying for your entry, a path leads through a number of large koala sculptures. As you walk along the path, most sculptures also have an information board helping you understand the koalas, their habitat and the threats to their survival.
This is a great educational opportunity and is especially good for children.
Koala Sculpture
Koala Hospital
Before reaching the viewing area, you pass the hospital where injured koalas are treated. A window allows you to see into the treatment room and we were lucky enough to see one there, along with the vet and his assistants.
Koalas
Only koalas that are unable to be rehabilitated back to the wild are on display. Koalas that have undergone surgery and are being rehabilitated are housed in separate enclosures. Each kolas has its own information board detailing how it came to the sanctuary and what injuries it was suffering.
Because we arrived in the middle of the day they were not very active, but were able to see most of them. stationed here were two volunteers who gave talks on the koalas and the work of the sanctuary.
Information Board about the koalaKoala information boardA Kookaburra
What Did We Think?
This was a great visit and would recommend it to anyone wanting to see or learn about koalas. It’s similar to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital although larger and offering onsite accommodation.
The annual chalk drawing festival Chalk the Walk Newcastle 2023 ran from late September to early October 2023. This year’s theme, All Creatures Great and Small was reflected in the drawings, which ranged from whales to spiders.
As a bonus, Jenny McCracken’s whales located outside Harry’s Cafe de Wheels on Market Street lawn will be a permanent 3D pavement mural. Although the other murals had some protection added to protect them from the rain, this was only temporary and they have now been removed.
Octopus breaking through pavementDog and skateboard in Civic ParkGiant spider on Hunter Street.Whales and birds on Market Street lawnAnimals in front of the Newcastle Information CentreFrog Pond on Hunter Street
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Held over the weekend of 18-19 November 2023, the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show 2023 featured both air and static ground displays. The first days was a free community events with flying displays over Nobbys Beach and the Newcastle Harbour. Day Two had a nominal $10 entry fee to the RAAF Williamtown Air Force base where most of the aircraft flying on day one were on display. The Royal Australian Air Force and Newcastle Council did an amazing job of organising this event.
Getting There
Parking in the inner city was limited because of road closures. However, the council provided a park and ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, while additional ferries brought people from Stockton where large carparks had been set up.
Day One
Commencing at 10:00 AM, the air display was continuous until 12:30. At 2:00 PM it started again and ran through until 4:00PM. By start time, the foreshore and Nobbys Beach were packed. Additional premium viewing was available at Fort Scratchley, providing the highest vantage point on the day.
Sitting near the surf club we had an excellent view of the displays as they performed just off shore, or flew down the harbour.
Warbirds
Flying started with old warbirds and training aircraft, such as the CAC Winjeel, CAC Mustang (a licence built North American P-51 Mustang) and Supermarine Spitfire. Operated by 100 Squadron RAAF, these old planes preserve the history of military flying in Australia.
Current RAAF Aircraft
Following the warbirds, the RAAF aerobatic team the Roulettes put on a skillful flying display. They were followed by the current combat aircraft operated by the RAAF. Fortunately we brought ear plugs, because we knew the F-35 and F/A-18F would be noisy. They certainly didn’t disappoint and put on an amazing display of their flying capabilities.
Closing out the air display were the RAAF’s larger aircraft, the P-8 Poseidon used maritime surveillance, the E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C and the KC-30 MRTT multi role transport and tanker.
CAC Winjeel A85-439 over Nobbys Beach CAC CA-18 Mustang Mk. 23, A68-170 AM-G over Nobbys BeachRAAF Roulettes aerobatic team over Nobbys BeachLockheed Martin F-35A and CAC CA-18 Mustang over Nobbys BeachLockheed Martin F-35A over Nobbys BeachBoeing E-7A WedgetailRAAF Boeing P-8A Poseidon Boeing P-8A Poseidon flying over the Nobbys Beach Surf ClubAirbus KC-30A MRTT of 33 Squadron RAAF over Nobbys BeachLockheed P-3C Orion during the flying display over Nobbys BeachThe crowd on the beach while a Lockheed P-3C Orion flies over Nobbys HeadlandPart of the crowd with a Lockheed P-3C Orion flying over Nobbys BeachLockheed P-3C Orion during the flying display over Nobbys BeachPilatus PC-21 of the RoulettesBoeing FA-18F Super Hornet
Day Two of the Newcastle Williamtown Air Show
Held at the Royal Australian Air Force Base at Williamtown just north of Newcastle, Day 2 was a non-flying day, although most of the aeroplanes from Day 1 were on display.
The RAAF provided parking on base, with busses taking people onto the base. This was an excellent idea because the base also hosts Newcastle Airport which provides domestic civilian air services. The buses allowed the airport to keep the runway operating while people were transported to an from the display area.
Each of the aircraft on display were attended by RAAF personnel who were happy to discus what they do and the jet’s capabilities. We had a great time walking around them all, including the warbirds.
The Airbus KC-30 MRRT was available for a walk-through but the queue was too long so we just looked at it from outside.
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II A35-37 of 3 Squadron RAAFBoeing F/A-18F Super Hornet A44-218 of 1 Squadron RAAFBoeing EA-18G Growler A46-313 of 6 Squadron RAAFPilatus PC-21 A54-038 of the RAAF Roulettes aerobatic teamBoeing E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 of RAAF 2 SquadronClose up of the radar housing of the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail A30-001 of 2 Squadron RAAFBoeing P-8A Poseidon of 11 Squadron RAAFAirbus KC-30A MRTT of 33 Squadron RAAFWeapons bay of an Boeing P-8A PoseidonCAC CA-18 Mustang Mk. 23, A68-170 AM-GSupermarine Spitfire Mk.XVI TB863 FU-P of No. 453 Squadron (R.A.A.F). In its original markingsCAC Wirraway A20-653 BF-F of the Air Force Heritage Squadron. Painted in 5 Squadron colours.CT-4 Airtrainer A19-077
Fighter World
Fighter World the RAAF’s museum of fighters aircraft was open on Sunday and free to enter. Several of the fighters were outside the hanger which was great because the displays inside are usually close together. This allowed us to get close to some interesting planes. Most RAAF operated jets were on display from early Gloster Meteors to F/A-18s and an F-111. See out blog on Fighter World for more information and photos.
Gloster Meteor F.8 in the markings of A77-851, 77 Squadron during the Korean War
