Destination's Journey

Tag: Central Coast

  • Broken Bay Pearl Farm

    Broken Bay Pearl Farm

    Broken Bay Pearl Farm

    Established in 2003, Broken Bay Pearl Farm is New South Wales’s only pearl farm. Although Sydney Rock oysters used for eating are farmed here, this is the first business to farm pearls.

    Located at Mooney Mooney on the Hawkesbury River, parking was at a premium, with some people on our tour parking at the Mooney Mooney Club and walking (only a 5-minute walk away). Starting at an old oyster shed, now used as a sales room and “Shellar Door”, we checked in and waited for the tour to start.

    The two-hour tour starts with a history of oyster harvesting in Australia. Archaeological evidence indicates that Aboriginal people (the Darkinjung and Ku-ring-Gai) fished for oysters at least 20,000 years ago. With colonialization, oysters were used for food and later for use in concrete, where their shells were used for lime. Pearl farming first commenced in Broome, Western Australia in 1946.

    Local pearl farming started when Agoya oysters were noticed growing on Sydney Rock oysters. This species of oyster produce beautiful mother of pearl, a prerequisite to make pearls. After trials, it was found they could be successfully farmed, leading to Broken Bay Oyster Farms.

    Mother of Pearl Oyster Shells Broken Bay Pearl Farm
    Mother of Pearl Oyster Shells
    Oyster Shells
    Oyster Shells

    The Tour

    After learning all about pearls, we boarded the catamaran for a one-hour cruise to see the oysters. On the way the guide stopped to show us Aboriginal rock carvings.

    Located next to a beautiful little beach, the oyster lease currently contained eight-month-old oysters, because others had been moved out to sea. This was because recent rain had flushed too much fresh water into the area, which was not good for their development.

    Our guide retrieved some from their baskets, so we had a chance for a close-up look at them. He then showed how pearls are seeded before they are returned to the water.

    Tour Boat Broken Bay Pearl Farm
    Tour Boat
    Train Bridge over the Hawkesbury River
    Train Bridge over the Hawkesbury River
    Aboriginal Fish Rock Carvings
    Aboriginal Fish Rock Carvings
    Beach Near the Oyster Lease
    Beach Near the Oyster Lease
    8 Month Old Oysters
    8 Month Old Oysters
    8 Month Old Oysters
    8 Month Old Oysters
    Oyster Growth Stages Broken Bay Pearl Farm
    Oyster Growth Stages
    Pearl Seed and Damaged Pearls
    Pearl Seed and Damaged Pearls

    What Did We Think?

    This was a great tour and something we hadn’t heard about before. Until discovering them, we had no idea about farming pearl oysters on the east coast, let alone being able to go on a tour. We really enjoyed the two hours we were there, because it was interesting and educational.

  • Wyrrabalong National Park

    Wyrrabalong National Park

    Wyrrabalong National Park

    Getting There and Parking

    Located on the Central Coast Highway near Norah Head, Wyrrabalong National Park is an hours drive south of Newcastle. We parked in a small car park just past the Pelican Beach Road turn-off, which was small, but well maintained. Signs and an information board provide information about the park and its tacks.

    • Entrance Sign
      Entrance Sign

    Lilli Pilli Loop Track

    The day we visited was wet and overcast, but this added to the fun of the walk, making the trails very atmospheric. The Lilli Pilli Loop Trail meanders through coastal rain forest along narrow bush tracks. The tracks are often made of sand, but have been reinforced with wooden boards to prevent erosion of this fragile environment.

    This is one of the few remaining intact areas of rainforest on the Central Coast, which makes it a very special place. An information board on the lake side of the track details the forest and its wildlife.

    The damp conditions encouraged mushroom to grow on dead trees which let us see some beautiful ones as we walked by.

    • Typical Walking Track
      Typical Walking Track
    • Fallen Trees on the Lilli Pilli Loop Track
      Fallen Trees on the Lilli Pilli Loop Track
    • Lilli Pilli Track
      Lilli Pilli Track
    • Mushrooms Growing on a Fallen Log on the Lilli Pilli Track Wyrrabalong National Park
      Mushrooms Growing on a Fallen Log on the Lilli Pilli Track

    Red Gum Loop Track

    The Lilli Pilli Loop Track joins the Red Gum Loop, at this point you can either return to your car or continue on. We chose to walk the new track, because the vegetation changes to red gum forest, from the rainforest we had just walked through.

    The path down to the track is steep, but reinforce with sturdy wooden sleepers, making it safe to walk down. This also prevents erosion of the sand dune, so is environmentally safe too.

    The forest in this area is more open with less undergrowth, making views of Tuggerah Lake possible in places. Lookouts have been built in places where the views are best, but it was overcast during our visit, so the lake was not visible. On a clear day, the view would be great.

    • Steep Descent on the Track Reinforced With Wooden Sleepers Wyrrabalong National Park
      Steep Descent on the Track Reinforced With Wooden Sleepers
    • Lookout and Seat on the Red Gum Loop Track
      Lookout and Seat on the Red Gum Loop Track
    • Red Gum Loop Track
      Red Gum Loop Track
    • Red Gum Trees
      Red Gum Trees

    What Did We Think of Wyrrabalong National Park?

    Both of the loop tracks in the Wyrrabalong National Park were fun to do, because of the different vegetation. We were also pleased we did it while it was wet and damp, as this added to the fun and the environment we passed through.

    • Sign Post at the Intersection of the Tracks Wyrrabalong National Park
      Sign Post at the Intersection of the Tracks
    • Information Board Wyrrabalong National Park
      Information Board
  • Arboretum and Bellbird Tracks in Strickland Forest

    Arboretum and Bellbird Tracks in Strickland Forest

    Strickland State Forest

    Two great walks located in the Strickland State Forest are the Arboretum and Bellbird Tracks. Located on the Central Coast of NSW, less than an hour’s drive north of Sydney, south of Newcastle, or a 10-minute drive west of Gosford, Strickland State Forest is a great place to visit.

    The forest is only five square kilometres but contains an impressive variety of flora and fauna species, along with extensive walking tracks. These wander through varying forest types, past waterfalls, under cabbage tree palms and along creeks.

    The forest has excellent picnic facilities including an all-weather shelter, picnic tables and toilets located at the Banksia Picnic Area

    • Entry Sign to the Strickland State Forest
      Entry Sign to the Strickland State Forest

    Arboretum Loop Track

    Located at the end of the Strickland Forest Road, the car park for the Arboretum Loop Track is well maintained but has no facilities. You will find these at the Banksia Picnic Area, which you pass on your way in.

    From the car park, walk down the trail to Stoney Creek, which has rocks laid out as steppingstones. On our visit, the creek was running high, because of rain and many rocks were under water and slippery. We took our time crossing to make sure we didn’t slip.

    The trail then winds through forest, while staying close to the creek. On reaching Narara Creek, you will find a suspension bridge, which make the creek crossing easy, safe and, fun.

    Continuing along the trail you will come across a sign to the Arboretum Loop. This area is great to walk through as much of it was planted over 100 years ago making the trees large and mature. Many of the tree are have signs to show their species, which adds to the interest of the walk. At two points large trees have fallen over the creek, forming natural bridges, although they are covered in moss and slippery.

    • Stoney Creek Crossing
      Stoney Creek Crossing
    • Arboretum Loop Track
      Arboretum Loop Track
    • Cabbage Tree Palms on the Arboretum Loop Track
      Cabbage Tree Palms on the Arboretum Loop Track
    • Stoney Creek From the Arboretum Loop Track
      Stoney Creek From the Arboretum Loop Track
    • Fallen Tree Over a Creek
      Fallen Tree Over a Creek
    • Fallen Tree Over a Creek
      Fallen Tree Over a Creek
    • Suspension Bridge Over Narara Creek
      Suspension Bridge Over Narara Creek

    Bellbird Track

    Located not far from the Arboretum Track, the Bellbird Track starts at a well-made signpost, making it easy to find. From here it winds through fern filled forest, before reaching a creek crossing. The creek was running high because of recent rain, which made the crossing difficult. Usually, the concrete steps are easy to use, but these were under water.

    We found leaches on our legs after the crossing, which we quickly removed. Leaches are common in the area, particularly after rain, so be prepared for them.

    • Sign Post
      Sign Post
    • Trees and Ferns on the Bellbird Track
      Trees and Ferns on the Bellbird Track
    • Narara Creek Crossing Bellbird Track
      Narara Creek Crossing Bellbird Track
    • Bellbird Track
      Bellbird Track
    • Ferns on the Bellbird Track
      Ferns on the Bellbird Track
    • The Bellbird Track
      The Bellbird Track
    • Moss Covered Trees on the Bellbird Track
      Moss Covered Trees on the Bellbird Track

    Things to be Aware Of

    Falling Pinecones

    Signs at the car park warn of falling pinecones in some seasons, so be aware of this.

    Creek Crossings

    Depending on the tracks you take, several creek crossings may be required. After heavy rain the water will be higher and the rocks in the water may be slippery when standing on them to cross the river, so be careful.

    Leaches

    Leaches live around the creeks and in the wet undergrowth, especially after rain when they are very active. Assume that you will be bitten by them and come prepared with salt and anti-leech sprays as well as decent boots.

    What Did We Think?

    Apart from the leaches and the slippery creek crossings, we had a great time. It was wet and raining, but this added to the atmosphere in the forest, with everything being wet and damp.