Only opened in late 2022, the new 230m long Swansea Boardwalk is a great way to experience Lake Macquarie and the mangrove forest. Located near Swansea New South Wales it is easily accessible with a newly upgraded carpark. Access onto the boardwalk is wheelchair friendly, with the boardwalk being flat its entire length.
The Boardwalk
At only 230m, this is a very short walk, however the views are amazing. Being able to walk through the mangroves and not getting you feet wet and muddy is great. You are able to see into mud flats at low tide and see into the forest.
As you walk the views over the lake are great. At the end of the walk, you can see over the Lake to Wangi Wangi and the old decommissioned power station. A small dirt track continues from this point along the Swansea Channel for those who want to extend their walk.
The Boardwalk passing through mangrovesView across Lake Macquarie from the boardwalkMangroves near the boardwalkMangroves and Lake Macquarie from the boardwalkWangi Power Station Across Lake MacquarieWangi Power Station Across Lake MacquarieShore of Lake MacquarieShore of Lake MacquarieEnd of the boardwalkContinuation of the track along the shore of Lake Macquarie
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Based at Bobs Farm near Port Stephens, the Shark and Ray Rescue Centre is dedicated to the rehabilitation and rehousing of sharks and rays. An association with local Professional Fishermen allows injured sharks, rays, and other marine creatures caught as a by-catch to be saved.
Getting There
Interior of the Centre
Housed undercover, the centre operates in all weathers, so is great to visit on a rainy day when other activities in Port Stephens close. With only a 40-minute drive from Newcastle, or 20 minutes from Port Stephens it’s easy to get to. Parking is on site with plenty of room available.
What to See When You Arrive
On arrival, a staff member takes you around the centre, so that you are familiar with what’s on display and how to interact with them.
We chose to walk around the tanks and enclosures to view the displays, but for a small fee you can also get in the tanks and feed the sharks. Several people were doing this, mostly young families. They seemed to be having a great time in the water and the sharks they were with were not dangerous.
Leopard SharkPort Jackson SharkPort Jackson SharkFiddler RayFiddler RayShovelnose RayStingrayStingray
Birds
The Centre has expanded its operations to include other animals in need, including birds. We were pleased to be able to enter the parrot aviary where a staff member explained about them. Even better, they perched on our shoulders and arms, which was something we were not expecting to do when we arrived.
Eclectus parrot
Chestnut Fronted Macaw
Other Displays
Housed in large enclosures and several glass cages, the centre has a collection of lizards on display.
A butterfly house has now opened giving visitors the opportunity to see them up close. Our visit did not match its open times, so we will have to go back to see it.
At times, octopus and other marine creatures may be housed here. This is variable, depending on the need to rehabilitate the.
This was a fun and interesting place to visit. A great way to see sharks and rays up close, something you don’t often get to do. The experience with the parrots was also great as was seeing the lizards. It’s wonderful that someone is helping rehabilitate injured marine life and rehousing them.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
On display at the Newcastle Lock-Up until 5 February 2023, “Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt” by Alex Seton was specifically made for the cells of the Lock-Up. The title of the show refers to Kurt Vonnegut’s anti-war novel “Slaughterhouse-Five” about the fire bombing of Dresden that dislocates linear time.
These beautiful artworks are worth the visit and with free entry it’s even better. We had a great time here, slowly walking around the exhibits.
Our previous visit to the Lock-Up can be found here. It details the building’s history and shows the rooms and cells with no artwork installed.
Old Gaol Cellsby Alex SetonEverything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Alex SetonThe Amber of this Moment by Alex Setonby Alex SetonStill Very Much Alive in the Past by Alex SetonStill Very Much Alive in the Past by Alex SetonPillar of Salt by Alex Seton
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
