Destination's Journey

Category: New South Wales

  • Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest

    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

    Access Down to the Beach
    Access Down to the Beach
    Dudley Beach
    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.

    • Waves on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
      Waves on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
    • Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
      Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
    • Green Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
      Green Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
    • Exposed Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
      Exposed Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
    • Small Tidal Pool
      Small Tidal Pool
    • Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
      Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
    • Eroded Sandstone
      Eroded Sandstone

    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.

    • Fossilised Wood
      Fossilised Wood
    • Fossilised Wood
      Fossilised Wood
    • Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
      Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
    • Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
      Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
    • Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest Fossilised Tree Branch
      Fossilised Tree Branch
    • Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest Fossilised Tree Branch
      Fossilised Tree Branch
    • Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest
      The Fossilised Forest at Dudley Beach

    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.

    The Baby Blow Hole Dudley Beach
    The Baby Blow Hole Dudley Beach

    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.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

  • Gunnedah New South Wales

    Gunnedah New South Wales

    Gunnedah New South Wales

    Town History

    Located on the north west slopes of New South Wales, Gunnedah has a long history of habitation by the Kamilaroi people. The town’s name means Place of White Stones in the Kamilaroi language. Within 45 years

    Colonial settlers arrived in the area in 1833, taking advantage of the Patrick Plain fertile soil to farm sheep.

    Getting There

    Gunnedah was our second overnight stop on our road trip. Only a 90 minute drive from Dubbo, the road was in good condition the whole way. Direct from Sydney, it’s a five hour drive, but there are plenty of interesting stops along the way, the most notable of which is Coonabarabran.

    Attractions

    Gunnedah Town Centre

    The Gunnedah town centre is full of old historic buildings, making a walk though town interesting. While there, look at the buildings’ facades as they are often nicely decorated and show the year the building was built. Over time many buildings have changed owners but the original builder is often still displayed on the facade.

    Old Bank Chambers
    Old Bank Chambers
    Old Shop Fronts Kamilaroi Highway
    Old Shop Fronts Kamilaroi Highway
    Gunnedah Town Hall
    Gunnedah Town Hall
    Old Acropolis Café Building Kamilaroi Highway
    Old Acropolis Café Building Kamilaroi Highway

    Miners’ Memorial

    In the centre of town near Wolseley Park a statue pays tribute to the coal miners who brought wealth to the town. Many miners failed to return home because of the dangerous work and this is a memorial to them.

    Miners' Memorial Wolseley Park Gunnedah
    Miners’ Memorial Wolseley Park

    Red Chief Memorial

    Located in the town centre, adjacent to the NSW Government Offices building in Abbott Street this is first memorial erected in honour of an Aboriginal historical identity.

    Buried probably in late 1700`s. Cumbo Gunnerah was the legendary warrior and wise leader of the Gunn-e-darr people of the Kamilaroi tribe. He was buried, it is thought, in the late 1700’s in a manner befitting an Aboriginal man of great importance, that is in a sitting position, backed by a tree carved with totemic designs in his honour.

    Red Chief Memorial Gunnedah
    Red Chief Memorial

    Silo Art

    A beautiful piece of silo art now brightens one of Gunnedah’s old silos. Featuring Dorothea Mackellar and lines from My Country, it adds to the Mackellar presence in town. For our blog on the silo, click here.

    Gunnedah Maize Mill Silo Depicting Dorothea Mackellar and Lines From My Country
    Gunnedah Maize Mill Silo Depicting Dorothea Mackellar and Lines From My Country

    Gunnedah Water Tank Museum

    The Water Tank Museum contains artefacts from Gunnedah’s past, as well as an amazing mural on the outside, dedicated to the Vietnam War. To see our full blog and more photos click here.

    Gunnedah Water Tower mural
    Water Tower mural: Soldiers of 7RAR waiting to be picked up by Huey Helicopters by Jenny McCracken

    Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue

    In addition to the Silo art honouring Dorothea Mackellar, a statue of the poet riding a horse can be found near the Water Tower Museum. Our full blog and photos can be found here.

    Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue
    Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Statue

    Pensioners Hill Lookout and Sculptures

    This beautiful sculpture-filled park has great views over town, making it a must visit when you visit. An easy walk from the car park past the sculptures rewards you with magnificent views. Our blog and photos of all the sculptures is here.

    Aboriginal Man Sculpture Gunnedah
    Aboriginal Man Sculpture

    Gunnedah Rural Museum

    This is a fantastic place to visit especially for those interested in rural life in Australia from the late 1800s to late 1900s. We particularly liked the tractor and car collection, as they were extensive and in good condition. The museum also has a model railway out the front for rail enthusiasts. We really enjoyed this laid back huge museum. The full blog of our visit is here.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

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

  • Morpeth on the Hunter River

    Morpeth on the Hunter River

    Morpeth on the Hunter River

    Morpeth

    Initially created through by Edward Charles Close, who selected a property of 1,000 hectares Morpeth developed as a river port from 1831-1841.

    The river port grew steadily throughout the 1830s, but the construction of the Great Northern Railway in 1857, bypassed Morpeth. This resulted in Newcastle developing as the regional port. Morpeth became less significant commercially, but still survived as a township with its own history and heritage.

    The town is now popular with tourists because of its historic buildings and riverside setting.

    Getting There

    Sitting a 10 minute drive from Maitland, the historic town of Morpeth is one of the Hunter Valley’s major attractions. On the drive from Maitland look out for the brightly painted shed advertising “Dr Morse’s Indian Root Pills”, as it’s a well known site by the Hunter River. Originally from North America, these pills are still manufactured and sold in Australia.

    Parking in Morpeth can be at a premium on busy days, particularly in front of shops on the main road (Swan Street). There are more spots a available further down the road opposite the museum and old Post Office (now a vets).

    • Painted Shed
      Painted Shed Indian Root Pills on the Way to Morpeth

    Swan Street

    Most of the shops and restaurants face onto Swan Street, which makes them easy to find, because you are not wandering around back streets.

    • Row of Buildings in Swan Street Morpeth
      Row of Buildings in Swan Street Morpeth
    • Old Stone Walkway Morpeth
      Old Stone Walkway
    • Telephone Box in Morpeth
      Telephone Box

    Morpeth Bridge

    Opened on 15 June 1898, the Morpeth Bridge is a timber trestle bridge employing Allan trusses. It has two central iron cylinder span supports fabricated by Mort’s Dock. Spanning the Hunter River at Morpeth, the bridge is listed on the state heritage register because of its technical and historical characteristics. 

    • Hunter River Bridge
      Hunter River Bridge
    • Hunter River Bridge
      Hunter River Bridge
    • The Morpeth Bridge
      The Morpeth Bridge

    Historic Buildings

    Located on Swan Street, most of the historical buildings are in excellent condition and look beautiful. Many are now used for different purposes than what they were built for, so have small plaques in the footpath showing their original use.

    • The Old Post Office
      The Old Post Office
    • CBC Bank
      CBC Bank
    • St James Anglican Church
      St James Anglican Church
    • Derelict Trading Post
      Derelict Trading Post
    • Courthouse Plaque
      Courthouse Plaque
    • Commercial Hotel Plaque
      Commercial Hotel Plaque

    Campbell’s Store

    Located on the corner of Swan and Tank Streets, Campbell’s store is a collection of small businesses in one large building. From second-hand dealers, clothes and food, there is a lot to see and explore here. At the back of the building is a café and the Morpeth art gallery, which sells art and often has exhibitions on the second floor.

    • Ally Next to Campbell's Store
      Ally Next to Campbell’s Store
    • Post Box
      Post Box Outside Campbell’s Store
    • Rear of Campbell's Store
      Rear of Campbell’s Store
    • Old Railway Carriage
      Old Railway Carriage

    Other Interesting Things to See

    Walking around, you will find several interesting sights, including painted lane ways, sweet shops, and old telephone box, and a mannequin inviting you for free ginger beer tasting.

    • Free Ginger Beer Morpeth
      Free Ginger Beer Tasting
    • Painted Murals on Berkley Street Morpeth
      Painted Murals on Berkley Street
    • Painted Murals on Green Street Morpeth
      Painted Murals on Green Street

    What Did We Think?

    Morpeth is a great place to spend a day out exploring, because it has so much to offer. From historic buildings, antique shops, or a relaxing meal overlooking the Hunter River, it’s a great place to visit.

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