Located in Shortland just outside of Newcastle, the Hunter Wetlands Centre is a community based project returning this once industrial wasteland back to important wetlands. Numerous migratory birds pass through here as well as local birds that use it as a nesting place.
There is ample parking and a café provides snacks for either before
or after your visit.
Several short walks wind around the ponds and stands of trees,
providing different aspects of the area and differing habitats for birds. We
found the tracks very easy to negotiate and well maintained.
Main Water Body at the Wetlands CentreWater Birds at the Wetlands CentreBirds at theWetlands CentreIbisMangrovesWetlandsWalking Track
After our walk we sat in the café overlooking the central pond and watched the birds as they flocked around the central pond..
For other stories about Newcastle and the Hunter Region, please click on this link.
Located next to The Entrance on the Central Coast, Long Jetty is a quiet coastal spot with some great scenery to enjoy. We found parking easy all along the foreshore but, imagine it would be busy during holiday periods.
Our first stop was Toowoon Beach for a coffee overlooking the beach while we relaxed after our drive. Sitting and looking over the water while drinking the coffee was very relaxing after the drive.
After this we drove to Long Beach where we parked the car and walked along the foreshore. There are thee jetties of varying lengths going into the lake. We walked out on the two largest ones for some great views and photos. The length of the jetties is deceptive and you don’t realize how long they are until you reach the end and look back.
Long JettyOld Boat Shed on Lake Macquarie
There are several grassed areas with picnic facilities and families were using them. Along with the play equipment here it looked like a great place for kids.
Old Park BenchSeat With View over the Jetty
For other great stories from Australia, please use the main menu above, or click on this link
The Tocal Field Days is an annual event held at Tocal Agricultural College in the Hunter Valley. It is an opportunity for suppliers to display their latest products and services to the farming industry. It is also an opportunity for people to display their skills and produce to the general public.
Parking is well set up with officials directing vehicles where to go. Each row of cars is numbered so it is easy to find your way back, unlike some events where you can get lost in a vast field of cars.
Tocal Agricultural College
As expected, manufacturers of farming equipment had displays of their latest products. There were many rows of tractors and other farm gear.
Tractors on Display
Farming Equipment on Display
We were in time to see a cow milking demonstration and my wife was able to fulfil a lifelong dream of milking a cow.
Jersey Cow Ready For Milking
Cows Were Everywhere
Cows Were Everywhere
We watched a piglet race where 6 pigs race around a track, there was a bowl of food as the end, which they aim for. They ignore barriers and tend to jump fences to get to the end first. It was all good fun and they seemed to enjoy the run. We loved watching them!
Piglet Races
Llamas
There was a large llama display by the Llama Collective with a number of the animals present. Despite a reputation for spitting, they were all very well behaved and great to pat. There was even a llama kissing booth! A small alpaca was present, and you were able to see the difference between the two. If you are interested, the difference is the shape of the back and ears, with llamas having curved versus an alpaca’s straight ears.
Llamas on Display
Llamas on Display
Alpacas
Llamas Kissing Booth
Other Animals
Apart from the usual animals, there were colourful chickens and several bison, which made a nice change to the usual displays.
Colorful Chickens
There were even Bison
What Did We Think of the Tocal Field Days?
We had a great time looking around the displays, watching the pig races, patting the llamas and milking a cow. It was a nice way to spend a day, slowly wandering around and looking at the displays.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
