Hunter Valley Archives - Page 12 of 28

8 February 202223 January 2022

Walka Water Works Maitland

Walka Water Works Maitland

Once the main water supply for the Lower Hunter Valley, the Walka Water Works at Maitland is now a public reserve. With free public access, it has barbecues, picnics areas, a playground, walking trails and a 7 1/4-inch gauge miniature railway that operates passenger rides each Sunday.

History of the Water Works

Newcastle and the Hunter Valley’s increasing population during the late 1800’s led to a requirement for a permanent water supply. The Walka site near Maitland was selected for the water works, with construction completed in 1887. Not only was drinking and washing water guaranteed, but it enabled sewerage to be installed, improving the health of the urban population.

As the population continued to grow, additional water sources were developed, such as Chichester Dam. As a result, Walka became a back-up supply from 1923 to 1940. In 1947 the station closed and the pumps and equipment sold for scrap.

Although re-commissioned as a power station in 1956 it finally closed in 1976.

A Public Reserve

Featuring an Italianate architecturally designed structure with an ornate brickwork the pumphouse is the centrepiece of the reserve. With the machinery sold for scrap the interior is empty, but you can admire the outside. We walked around the building and chimney stack before walking to the dam.

Near the dam, a small 7 1/4-inch miniature railway operates on Sundays, taking a small loop before returning to its station. It’s very popular with kids and the young at heart when running. Check to see it its operating before you go to avoid disappointment.

Several walking tracks weave around the dam, providing great opportunities to see some of the 300 species of birds that visit during the year. Still intact, the dam wall forms a large lake that is also home to turtles, some of which we saw sunning themselves on the rocks.

A great place for families to visit for a picnic or barbecue as well as learn about some of Maitland’s industrial past.

5 February 202223 January 2022

Maitland Regional Art Gallery 2022

Maitland Regional Art Gallery January 2022

Our visit to the Maitland Regional Art Gallery in January 2022 was a chance to see the galleries’ latest exhibitions. Three of the four will stay until February, but one is due to be replaced by the Archibald Prize paintings. An unusual display was the models used for a stop-motion production, Lost Property Office, which contained some amazing hand-built models.

Artwork on display:

A Conspicuous Object

A tribute to soon-to-be closed Maitland Hospital, A Conspicuous Object aims to bring its stories to life through art. Having existed since 1840, a lot of history and people have passed through its doors. Because the artists used different styles the displays were very interesting.

Indigenous Art for the Maitland Hospital — A Conspicuous Object

National Art (Part One)

National Art was a selection of artworks by 50 Australian artists who studied at the National Art School in Sydney. This exhibition celebrates some of the extraordinary artists it has trained over the past seven decades.

Down on His Luck — National Art Part One

Storylines

Using drawing, the artists in Storyline examine Australian History and how we interpret it. Australia’s greatest racehorse Phar Lap looks totally different drawn as a skeleton rather than a full horse. A nearby metal sculpture of his heart shows what powered this magnificent horse.

Par Lap Maitland Regional Art Gallery January 2022 — Phar Lap

Lost Property Office – Daniel Agdad

Our favourite exhibition, Lost Property Office is a stop-motion production. Produced by Daniel Agdad over 18 Months, the meticulously made models are simply amazing because of their detail. The 1,258 hand-made cardboard models are artworks and deserve a display as well as the film viewed.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery 2022 Hotel and Diner — Lost Property Office – Daniel Agdag

What Did We Think of the Maitland Regional Art Gallery 2022

This was a fun visit, with some very interesting artworks to see, particularly the Lost Property Office. Not only were traditional paintings on display, but the cardboard models were amazing.

1 February 20226 January 2022

Heritage Walking Track Minmi

Heritage Walking Track

Originally a coal mining area dating from the 1840s, little remains to remind you of its past. Following its closure in the 1980s, rehabilitation and dedicated work by the Minmi Heritage Landcare Group have removed many of the scars. Plantings of native trees, the eradication of invasive plants and the installation of barbecues and picnic facilities have produced a beautiful community park. The Heritage Walking Track winds through the regenerated bushland.

Located near the outer western Newcastle suburb of Minmi, the park has plenty of parking and a small toilet block. The walking tracks are shown on an information board near the car park.

The Track

We chose the Heritage Walk because it includes the brick tower of an old ventilation shaft from the coal mine. Starting at the end of the car park, the track immediately splits into two paths. There are no signs to show which way to go, but the correct direction is to the right of the large white tyre. Not far from here, a track leads off to the left. Fortunately, there are two signs here showing that this is the way to go.

From the left turn, the well-maintained path follows a shady route through regenerated Australian bushland. We didn’t see any wildlife but could here plenty of cicadas.

The trail intersects another track, where you will find the brick tower. This remnant of the old coal mine used to provide ventilation to the mine’s underground workings. Turn right at the intersection, where another well-formed track takes you back to the car park.

Only a few minutes’ walk from the car park is the old Minmi Cemetery, where you can see the graves of many of the mine workers and their families.