Located in Maitland opposite St Mary’s Anglican Church, Grossmann House is a heritage-listed former residence and Maitland Girls’ High School premises and now house museum. Built in 1870 by local businessman Isaac Beckett, the house represents the success of his business with Samuel Owen. The adjacent Brough House built by Owen is an identical but mirror image design.
In 1893 the first Maitland Girls’ high School was established when both Brough and Grossmann House were purchased and converted to a school. The name is derived from the first headmistress, Jeanette Grossmann who was principal at the school from 1890-1913.
Managed by the National Trust since the mid-1960s and decorated with artefacts from the 1860s.
With the interior restored to 1870s Victorian Grossmann House is open for tours on Sundays, with tickets available online.
We enjoyed our tour, finding the guides friendly and very knowledgeable on the house, which was great when we asked questions.
Hallway
Decorated with period furniture, the hallway leads to the main living area of the house, but its most interesting feature is the restored gas lights. Although stored to working order, they were not operating during our visit.
Hallway
Gas Light Chandelier
Internal Staircase
Dining Room
Furnished with a set-dining table, the dining room looks just like it would in the 1870s. The decorations are great, although the portraits on the walls are not of the original owners, but contemporary paintings.
Dining Room
Dining Table
Wallpaper
As part of the restoration undertaken by the National Trust, the original wallpaper was recreated from fragments discovered in the house. This has added to the presentation of the house, as it looks authentic.
Reproduced Wallpaper
Ladies’ Sewing Room
Containing the furnishings expected in a ladies’ drawing room, the windows overlook the garden, giving the room a relaxed atmosphere. The wallpaper here is also recreated from fragments found during the restoration.
Chair With Footstool and Window View
Sofa in the Ladies Room
Georgian Crystal Exhibition
Several rooms had an exhibition of Georgian crystal, which although not related to the house, made an interesting addition to the tour.
Georgian Crystal Display
Georgian Crystal Display
Old School Room
One room was furnished as an old school room to show how the building looked during this period. The photo on the wall is of Jeanette Grossmann the first headmistress.
Old School Room
Kitchen
The kitchen contains an old oven and other nineteenth century fittings, which suit the age of the house.
The Oven
Grossmann House Garden
Wet weather during our visit prevented a good look around the gardens, but they look nice and would be great to walk around, if it wasn’t raining.
Back Garden and Laundry Building
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
The country music capital of Australia, Tamworth is famous for its music festival and hall of fame. Although many of the town’s attractions associate themselves with country music, the historical buildings in the centre of town provide something else to see.
Located three and a half hours north of Newcastle, Tamworth is a great place to stop, whether it’s a rest break or a longer one to see the town’s attractions. This was our last stop on a road trip through Dubbo and Gunnedah.
Oxley Scenic Lookout
Overlooking town, the Oxley Lookout provides amazing views of the surrounding countryside. Named after the first European explorer to visit the area, the lookout also acknowledges the original inhabitants, with information boards providing information on the Kamilaroi people.
A great place for a break on your journey, if you don’t want to stop in the town centre. The large carpark allows plenty of space for parking, including caravans.
Tamworth From the Oxley Scenic Lookout
Oxley Scenic Lookout Picnic Area
Bicentennial Park
Located in the city centre, with easy access, Bicentennial Park is a great place to relax, with ponds, grassed areas, a playground, and walking tracks. We walked from Peel Street where we had left our car, because this let us see the CBD as we walked. Starting at Fitzroy Street with the country music busts, we walked through the park enjoying the views.
Entrance to Bicentennial Park With Bust Of Country Artists
Country Music
Reflecting Tamworth’s association with country music, a large section of the park had busts and other artwork dedicated to country musicians.
Buddy Williams Bust in Bicentennial Park
Female Country Singer Sculpture Bicentennial Park
Mural in Bicentennial Park
Sculptures
Scattered throughout the park we found several sculptures placed around ponds and in garden beds.
Rock Carving at the Pond
Emu Sculpture in Bicentennial Park
Waler Memorial
The Waler Monument commemorates the Australian Light Horse and depicts an Australian Trooper saying farewell to his Waler Horse in the deserts of the Middle East at the end of World War One.
In the early stages of World War One, they were mostly purchased from NSW which gave them the name of Walers, coined by the English.
The most famous of all feats of the Waler Horses at war was the Light Horse charge on Beersheba in 1917. The horses were without water for 48 hours in the hot Sinai Desert and then undertook a 4km cavalry charge across the burning plains to take Beersheba and its wells.
Waler Memorial
Tamworth War Memorial
The War Memorial stands next to the Waler Monument and depicts service personnel on granite blocks. The names of those killed in battle are engraved on the plaque.
War Memorial
Man O’ War Gates
These interesting gates originally stood on Bennelong Point, but were removed with the construction of the Sydney Opera House. Purchased by a local family and gifted to the local Returned Servicemen’s League they now stand as a tribute to the Royal Australian Navy.
Man O’ War Gates
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, features a collection of memorabilia from Australian country music artists. If you are a country music fan, this is a must visit while in town. Located on the corner of the New England Highway and Peel Street, makes it easy to find.
Tamworth City Centre
Dominican Convent Building
Now the local conservatorium of music, this old building dating from 1882 was once a convent. Now leased by the conservatorium, it is well maintained and preserved for future generations to admire.
Conservatorium of Music in the Old Dominican Convent Building
Saint Nicholas Catholic Church
Dating from 1877 Saint Nicholas Catholic Church is on the corner of White and Marius Streets.
Bells Out the Front of Saint Nicholas Church
Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall
Located in Fitzroy Street, the Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall was opened in 1934 as a memorial to Tamworth and district soldiers and war workers.
Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall Fitzroy St
Slim Dusty Statue
The statue of Slim Dusty and his wife Joy McKean recognises the contribution the couple made to Australia’s music heritage. Located in busy Peel Street, it is easy to find.
Statue of Slim Dusty and Joy McKean
Street Art
Wandering through the CBD, we came across several pieces of street art and sculptures. These reflect local culture, from the music festival, sport, bushrangers, and aboriginal heritage.
Street Art in Peel Street
Sculpture Outside the Library
Street Art in Peel Street
Buildings
Walking through the streets of the CBD we found some beautiful old buildings. Many have changed hands since being built but have managed to retain their character.
Post Office
The Old Bell Tower 152 Marius St
Bussell Apartments Peel St
Courthouse Hotel on Peel St
Power Station Museum
Tamworth Power Station Museum
The Big Golden Guitar Tamworth
In keeping with the country music theme for Tamworth, its contribution to “Big Things” is a giant golden guitar. The golden guitar is presented to the winner of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, making this Big version appropriate. Located on the south side of town, it is one of the first things you will see if travelling from Sydney.
The Golden Guitar
Roll of Renown
Located not far from the Big Golden Guitar, the Roll of Renown sits outside the Entertainment Centre. The award honours Australians and New Zealanders who have shaped the industry by making a significant and lasting contribution to Country Music.
Roll of Renown outside the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
In addition to being a great beach, Dudley Beach has a rock platform containing a fossilised forest which is visible at low tide. The area contains the remnants of tree branches and stumps, which are all that remains of an ancient forest.
Getting There
Located south of Newcastle, Dudley Beach has a large well maintained car park, which makes access to the beach easy. From the car park, a sandy trail leads down to the beach.
If you intend seeing the fossilised forest, make sure to check the tides, because the rock platform is only exposed then. Unfortunately, at times, shifting sand occasionally covers the fossils. Even then, you are able to explore the rock platform and beach, which are worth visiting themselves.
Dudley Beach
Access Down to the Beach
Dudley Beach
Rock Platform
The wave cut rock platform where the fossilised forest sits is underwater at high tide. This makes the rocks slippery because many are covered in algae. Only visit at low tide and take care, so as to avoid a fall.
The platform’s surface has many small tidal rock pools, often the home of shellfish and crabs. Some are colourful, making them worth looking for.
Wave action has cut several large crevices into the rocks. These can provide some interesting photos during big swells as the waves crash through them.
Located above the rock platform, eroded cliffs show the effects of wind, rain and waves, with interesting forms weathered into their faces.
Waves on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
Green Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
Exposed Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
Small Tidal Pool
Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
Eroded Sandstone
Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest
The fossilised remained of the forest can be found on the rock platform at low tide. The most obvious remains are the tree stumps sticking up, as they rise above the level of the platform. Closer examination however reveals fossil branches and pieces of wood, stained with iron can be found.
Fossilised Wood
Fossilised Wood
Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
Fossilised Tree Branch
Fossilised Tree Branch
The Fossilised Forest at Dudley Beach
Baby Blow Hole
On the far side of the rock platform, a crevice funnels waves so that a cavity has formed. This has broken through to the surface and in the right tidal conditions forms a small blowhole. Certainly not spectacular with water only shooting up a metre or two, but interesting. The Kiama blowhole would have looked like this once.
The Baby Blow Hole Dudley Beach
What Did We Think?
Dudley Beach and its fossilised forest was a fun visit. Not only did we find the fossils, but we saw a baby blowhole forming. A great beach, with good parking and added attractions.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
