Tag: Newcastle

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Microlight Flight Lake Macquarie

Airborne M4 Sport Microlight Aircraft

Microlight Flight Lake Macquarie

This was a fantastic Christmas present from my wife. A 30-minute microlight flight out of Lake Macquarie Airport, with amazing views of the coast.

Operated by Airborne Flight Training, who also build the Airborne M4 Sports microlight we flew in, the flight surpassed all of my expectations.

After a quick safety briefing and the fitting of safety helmet and seatbelt, we were off and flying in no time. We were soon over the coast and heading north towards Newcastle. Flying over places we have hiked has a totally different perspective from 500m. Everything seems more accessible and open, whereas when hiking you feel closed in by the trees. The pilot pointed out places of interest and asked if there was anything specific I was interested in seeing.

Flying over Redhead Beach, we saw the shark tower, while people walked on the beach. At Merewether, the Ocean Baths were busy with swimmers doing laps while surfers waited for waves. On reaching Newcastle the view over the city and harbour was amazing, letting us see further north to Nobbys.

The return flight south took us further inland, so the views changed. Flying in this direction, we could see over Lake Macquarie and Blacksmiths Beach.

Before I knew it, we were back on the ground at the airport and taxiing along the runway. This was an amazing experience that I really enjoyed. The expert and professional pilot made me feel safe at all times which is very important in such a small aircraft. This is a family run business, and the flights could be longer if you wish. See the web for more details.

Airborne M4 Sport Microlight Aircraft
The Airborne M4 Sport Microlight
Microlight Aircraft Microlight Flight Lake Macquarie
And We’re Away
Redhead Beach From the Air
Redhead Beach From the Air
Glenrock State Conservation Area
Glenrock State Conservation Area
Merewether Baths
Merewether Baths
Bar Beach Microlight Flight Lake Macquarie
Bar Beach
Newcastle's Coastline Microlight Flight Lake Macquarie
Newcastle’s Coastline
View From Merewether to Nobbys
View From Merewether to Nobbys
Newcastle and Harbour
Newcastle and Harbour
Coastline of Lake Macquarie From the Air
The Coastline of Lake Macquarie From the Air

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Heritage Walking Track Minmi

Heritage Walking Track

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.

What Did We Think?

A simple easy walk, it only took us 45 minutes, including stops for photos. The well-maintained path and shady trees made the walk enjoyable.

Blue Gum Hills Regional Park Info Board
Blue Gum Hills Regional Park Info Board
Decorated Toilet Block
Decorated Toilet Block
Playground Mine Entrance
Playground Mine Entrance
Maze
Maze
White Tyre Heritage Walking Track
Take the path to the right of the big tyre
Sign
Sign to the Heritage Walk
Sign
Sign to the Heritage Walk
Heritage Walking Track
The Heritage Walk
Brick Tower Ventilation Shaft
Brick Tower Ventilation Shaft
Heritage Walking Track
Heritage Walking Track

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on

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Catalina War Memorial Rathmines

The Bowling Club's Club Catalina

Catalina War Memorial Rathmines

Once an air base in World War Two, little remains of RAAF Rathmines apart from some re-purposed buildings and a war memorial dedicated to the crews of Catalina flying boats based here. The beaching ramp where the Catalinas were brought ashore is now a boat launching ramp. Behind the memorial, the bowling club was once the officers’ mess.

History

Formed in 1939, the RAAF Station at Rathmines became one of the major flying boat bases for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II, and housed Nos 9, 11, 20, 40,41, 43 and 107 Squadrons at various stages during the war. Used as a training base after World War 2 it was closed and then sold in the early 1960s.

The Memorial

The area where the memorial stands was the site of the Commanding Officer`s residence and control tower. Built in 1972 and dedicated to all RAAF personnel who served on flying boats at Rathmines a Catalina propeller sits on top of the memorial. Walls on both sides commemorate those who died or served for their country and had passed through the base at Rathmines. Reading the names, we saw how young some of them were.

Club Catalina

Now a bowling club, Club Catalina was once the officer’s mess for the RAAF base. Unfortunately closed during our visit, the club contains a memorial wall commemorating and honouring RAAF personnel who operated and trained at the base during its service years.

What Did We Think?

Very easy to find with plenty of parking, we loved the history of the area as well as the views over the lake.

The Catalina War Memorial
The Catalina War Memorial
Wall of Remembrance Catalina War Memorial
Wall of Remembrance
Wall of Remembrance Catalina War Memorial
Wall of Remembrance
The Dedication Plaque
The Dedication Plaque
The Memorial Viewed Through Trees
The Memorial Viewed Through Trees
Commemoration of the Renaming of the Bay
Commemoration of the Renaming of the Bay
Catalina Bay
Catalina Bay
The Bowling Club's Club Catalina
The Bowling Club’s Club Catalina
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