Managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve, is a small, but important park. Located 40km north of Newcastle, it contains colonial heritage and an important bird habitat.
We parked in a car park near St. Andrew’s Church, which let us walk to Tom’s Cottage and to the swamp and its bird hut. The walk is graded as 5, implying that it is difficult, however, this is due to a lack of signs. The walk is flat, but you need to follow the tracks made by previous visitors as there is no signage.
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church
Built in 1860, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church is an interesting little church, notable for being one of the few buildings in Seaham to escape the 1939 bushfires. We parked nearby in the car park, so spent a few minutes wandering around looking at it.
St Andrew’s Anglican Church Seaham
St Andrew’s Anglican Church Seaham
Tom’s Cottage
Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve is home to a historic slab cottage known as Tom McLellan’s Cottage, or simply Tom’s Cottage. This is an example of a typical colonial era rural dwelling which was moved to its current location in the early 1900s. Though it’s named for Tom, the cottage was actually first built as a retirement home for his mother, Mary McLellan.
Track From St Andrew’s Anglican Church to Tom’s Cottage
Tom’s Cottage
Tom’s Cottage
Inside Tom’s Cottage
Inside Tom’s Cottage
Seaham Swamp Near Tom’s Cottage
Seaham Swamp
An important bird habitat, Seaham Swamp provides refuge for migratory waterfowl. Depending on the time of year, different species are present, but during our visit, we only saw a few ducks. It was still an interesting walk because the swamp and trees provided interesting photos opportunities.
Only 300m one-way, it is an easy walk, but no signage means you need to keep track of where you are.
Seaham Swamp
Seaham Swamp
Birdwatching Hut
The birdwatching hut is an all-weather bird hide allowing you to watch from a platform, ensuring you get great views and photos of the birds without disturbing them. Identification photos show the species that frequent the swamp, along with information boards explaining about the local wildlife.
Inside the Birdwatching Hut
Information Board Inside the Birdwatching Hut
Seaham Swamp From the Birdwatching Hut
What Did We think?
These two short but interesting walks were fun. Not only did we see an old colonial slab hut and the swamp, but were able to see an old church too. Simple to find with easy parking, it made for a fun morning out.
Located in the central west of New South Wales, Dubbo was our first main stop during our road trip. A five hour car trip from Sydney, or a three and a half hour trip from our home in Singleton, stops along the way are needed. The first European settlement was established in 1828, but aboriginal history dates back over 40,000 years.
With so many attractions to visit in the area, we planned a two day stay here, to see as much as we could, without rushing.
Attractions
Dubbo Visitors Information Centre
Our first visit was the Visitors Information Centre, so that we could get a map of a street walk of historical buildings in town. Only available here, it was also a good chance to see if anything else was happening in town, that had not been mentioned online.
Outside the visitor centre is an information board detailing the dwarf planet Pluto. This forms part of a giant solar system model, centred on the Siding Springs Observatory in Coonabarabran. We passed the position of Neptune at Dunedoo.
Outside the centre is a medicinal garden growing plats that the Wiradjuri People used. An information board describes the uses of the plants.
Pluto Information Board
Medicinal Garden
Town Centre
Following the Dubbo Heritage Trail, we got from the Visitor Information Centre, we found some nice old buildings spread through the centre of town. With 37 buildings and locations, there is a lot to see, but we decided to only find ones that interested us.
Of interest was the old post office, which was designed by the famous architect James Barnet. Another great building was the Old Bank, which is now a pub and restaurant, where we had dinner.
Dubbo Courthouse
Colonial Mutual Building
Old Dubbo Post Office
Westpac Bank Building
St Brigid’s Catholic Church
Catholic Presbytery St Brigid’s
Street Art
Spread all over town, is a variety of street art and sculptures. We noticed them while driving around, but were not aware how many there were.
Aboriginal Street Art on the Overpass Near the Visitor Information Centre
More Aboriginal Street Art on the Overpass Near the Visitor Information Centre
Aboriginal Street Art on the Overpass Near the Visitor Information Centre
Cockatoo Art Work at the Visitor Information Centre
Aboriginal Street Art in the city centre
Statue of William Ferguson, a Champion of Aboriginal Rights
Sheep Silhouettes in the City Centre
Rhino Statue at the Entrance to the Airport
Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is the most popular tourist attraction in the Dubbo area because of its collection of endangered animals in an open range setting. To view all of the exhibits, we spent a full day at the zoo, walking between enclosures. Your entrance ticket is valid over two days, so you can return the next day if you want to see more. To read our full blog about our visit, click on the link above.
Black Rhinoceros
Old Dubbo Gaol
Old Dubbo Gaol is one of the locations on the heritage trail and is a popular attraction for many tourists. Maintained in excellent condition and easy to access from the centre of town, it’s a fun place to visit and learn about the gaol’s past. The buildings are all close together, so a visit here only took us an hour. The blog of our visit can be found here.
Male Prison Building
Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden
If you like Japanese gardens, you will love this one. Rated one of the best in Australia, the Shoyoen garden is beautiful to walk around and very relaxing. The other section of the Regional Botanic Garden display’s local flora, so if you want to see some without bushwalking, this is a great place to visit. Our full blog can be found here.
Japanese Gardens
Old Bank
The Old Bank Restaurant and Bar is, as the name suggests a converted bank. Bookings are essential, as we were lucky to get a table when we arrived. To read our blog on the Old Bank, click here.
Main Meal Lamb Rump
Western Plains Cultural Centre
The Western Plains Cultural Centre is a combined museum and art gallery, showcasing local talent and history. From high school students’ art, international artists, aboriginal artefacts, and old horse drawn carriages, there is something here for everyone.
Wilkins Kennedy and Spence Coach Builders Buggy
Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre
The RFDS Visitor Centre is a new, state of the art museum which details the RFDS history. Not only does it have old equipment and two aircraft on display but uses large screens and interactive video to tell its story. We enjoyed our visit and spent longer than we had originally anticipated because it had so much to offer.
de Havilland Fox Moth VH-UQM Replica
War Memorials
As with most towns across Australia, a war memorial commemorates those who were killed fighting for their country. Dubbo is no exception, but’s its Shrine of Remembrance is huge and surrounded by several other memorials. One of these is in memory of a local pilot who earned the Victoria Cross flying a bomber during World War Two. Although he was killed, he saved the lives of five others onboard, while flying the plane home despite being severely wounded.
Shrine of Remembrance
Memorial to Pilot Officer Rawdon Hume Middleton, who was awarded the Victoria Cross (V.C.) in World War Two.
Macquarie River and Emile Serisier Bridge
Located near the Visitor Centre, the Emile Serisier Bridge caught our attention because of its solid steel work construction. It spans the Macquarie River, so while looking at the bridge, we had a look at the river too.
A better view is available on the opposite side of the river, where you can walk under the structure.
Rail Bridge Over the Macquarie River
Rail Bridge Over the Macquarie River
The Macquarie River
Dubbo Observatory
We booked tickets ahead if time for the observatory, opting for the 10:30PM to 12:30AM visit. This allows visitors to use their own cameras on the telescopes to take photos. Unfortunately, the sky was cloudy so our session was cancelled(with a full refund), so next time we are in Dubbo we will try again.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Our last night on our recent road trip was spent at Goonoo Goonoo Station (pronounced Gunna G’noo), south of Tamworth. Goonoo Goonoo means ‘running water over rocks in times of drought’ in the Kamilaroi language.
Access to the station is restricted to booked guests, but the Glasshouse Restaurant, is open to the public (book ahead as it is very popular). On arrival, either turn right at the gate if going to the restaurant or drive up to the gate and key in the code you would have been sent.
Still an operating cattle station, you will see might horses and cattle during you stay if you are lucky. During our visit, several horses were in nearby fields, which was great.
Entrance to Goonoo Goonoo Station
The Excellent Signage
Locked Gate to the Goonoo Goonoo Station Village Area
Cattle Yards
Accommodation
We stayed in the shearers’ quarters, which look rustic on the outside, but are modern and clean inside. Clean and modern, the interior is fully airconditioned and very comfortable. One side retains the old veranda, so you can relax outside and take in the scenery.
The Shearers’ Quarters Exterior
Shearers’ Quarters Exterior
The Shearers’ Quarters
View From the Back of The Shearers’ Quarters
The Shearers’ Quarters Interior
The shearers’ Quarters’ Interior
View From The Shearers’ Quarters
The Chapel
For weddings, Goonoo Goonoo has a beautiful chapel in the middle of the village, providing a great setting for that special day.
Chapel in the Village
Chapel in the Village
Village Buildings
On arrival, you get a map of the village and are encouraged to walk around, which was a great way to wind down before dinner at the restaurant. To get to the Glasshouse Restaurant, you either drive your car back out the main gate or take a short walk up the hill. We chose the latter as it was a beautiful evening.
Village Map
Stone Building
Signage for The Directionally Challenged
Stone Building
Gardens and Archway
Glasshouse Restaurant
Sitting on top of a hill the Glasshouse Restaurant has amazing views from its full-length glass windows. As the sun sets and you enjoy a great dinner, you get to take in the scenery. We loved the meals we ordered along with dessert and some nice cold drinks.
Glasshouse Restaurant
Railway Sleepers on the Outside of the Glasshouse Restaurant
Main Meal
Dessert
Drinks
Old Shearing Sheds
What Did We Think of Goonoo Goonoo Station?
This was a great place to finish our trip, with amazing accommodation and wonderful meal. We loved staying here, particularly the setting and the way the rooms have been refurbished from old workers sheds.
