HUNTER ,

this great  area encompassing  region of Newcastle , as well the grape vineyards of Hunter River and the holiday play ground of Nelson  is a place  to visit and  enjoy its  attractions. Already 1790^th first Europeans were exploring that region and some. When in  stormy , wintery weather of June 1796 fishermen  sheltering from  rough conditions found coal here  the place was called Coal River , but officially in 1797  area was re- named Hunter, after Captain John Hunter who was Governor of the British colony in New South Wales at that time.So coal was found  so soon start to creating the industrious region started  and continued until today .  Major town  of the district , Newcastle , well positioned , with  solid buildings of formidable era when  the town  was holding prime position as an industrial centre  presents many interesting sights to visit .  Monumental Cathedral representing great faith of the parishioners of that town is truly solid symbol of Catholic faith. This  house of God   constructed  in such  impressive  concept of the building , positioned on the hill , solid edifice , definitely  symbolizes  great trust in GOD  . Newcastle  is the town where the  adventure  of  exploration of the area , truly begins .  From here the Hunter Valley River vineyards are  easily accessible . There in this picturesque  area top wines are produced .  The produce of that  excellence  invites itself to be taken to  Port Stephens  to enjoy it  with   “ sea food “ of these  pristine  waters of  holidaymakers  paradise.  Oysters , prawn and wide range of  fish delights one pallet with Hunter Valley wines  in one of many restaurants or simply  on the beach while enjoying  dolphins watching  during romantic evening  of colorful sunset.  Great beaches  like Shoal Bay , Fingal Bay , for swimming , snorkeling . Nearby sand dunes are used by 4 wheel  drive cars for wild adventures .  Boat or ferry can be used to cross the waters ,  while meeting dolphins, to Tea Gardens .It is rather pleasant, peaceful  place  where the  adventure  of kayaking of the  Myall lakes waterways can begin .

In Port Stephens one  of many walks leads  to the Nelson Head  , Inner harbor lighthouse  which was constructed  in  1872  and in these days operated on four kerosene lamps. Great history of that light house and Port Stephens which in WWII was the training ground  for the troops of Australia and US  preparing  themselves  to fight the enemy , can be learned in small but rich in information museum .

There is also Tomaree Head  which being  161m  high provides great exercise while walking to summit a and also present  attractive  vistas  and one more lesson of WWII history of area. During that time Fort Tomaree  was placed on the head there  , to defend the access to Nelson Bay , being  important  strategic place  for the security of the whole region . On the side of the Mount Tomaree there are emplacement of the guns which were placed there in this time  off WWII when in the Bay were 500 military personnel positioned.

Out of the  Port Stephens   being major  town  of Nelson Bay one can visit Boat Harbor to  enjoys short bush walks  and swim in the pretty horseshoe  shape bay. Anna Bay with the historical grave stones on the sand against the Stockton Beach on horizon is also interesting spot to come , relax and reflect on the mighty nature of the place .

Accommodation is plentiful . Camping , caravan parks , motels and also first class  Anchorage  Hotel present wide range  to overnight  places  .

The Hunter region can be reached by car , train from Sydney . Also international traveler while flying to Sydney on Singapore  Airlines  , Qantas Airlines, or Thai International  who connect with Polish Airlines out of Europe  can use  air services and fly to Williamtown Airport , which serves the  Newcastle and Hunter region .

December 2013

WMIG

town  in the  center of the  Central Western  region on New South Wales . Just 4 1/2 hours by train from Sydney into  this attractive part of NSW . XPT as it is called , this comfortable train service of “ Countrylink NSW “,  takes  visitor  into rich history of  the  early settlement of   New South Wales  .

At first , area where Orange is situated  was called “ Blackmans Swamp “ only to be named   later on ,  by the  first Surveyor-General Thomas Mitchell , with proud name  of  ORANGE .   The name is not   associated with citrus fruit. Contrary apples are grown here .  Maybe the orange colour of gold which brought prospectors and all these who hoped for easy and quick riches of finding  this pressures metal ,still plentiful in the region . As the matter of fact the name  given to this ,already in early 1800 prosperous place , to  honour   Prince of Orange, who later became the King of Holland. Orange  being on the open , flat area  situated  over 862 m above the sea level,  provides  crispy fresh air in winter and warm , dry temperatures in summer . Under the  foot of Mt. Conobalas , which is extinct volcano , on  the  rich soil  full of minerals  ,resulting out of great  geological phenomena magic of takes place .  Artistically  hanging , from its bushes ,  grapes , drenched in the sun,   bathing in the  right temperatures,   give birth ,in these picturesque vineyards of area   to some of the  best Australian wines .

Orange  with  great homes  , attractively positioned on broad streets in this purpose designed  town  is true  pleasing experience  for visitor  . One can see that it  must be also very comfortable and  great place to domicile , as the locals confirm  during the friendly encounters .  This pleasant town  while visiting parks , gardens  , observing nice houses framed by colourful floral arrangements , stimulates  one imagination and takes one  into  rich  past  of days gone by .

While walking around the place along the routes of some of historical paths in town one  is bound to visit some of  many magic  parks .  Cook Park with its  majestic  Bhutanese Cypress lining  walkways   is truly great place of  charming beauty .  Robertson Park in the center of town ,where many great historical pubs are placed , is welcome place to seat and observe the locals going about their lives or relaxing under some of  tall gum trees . From here one can go to one of the pubs and  over the  refreshing glass or two of beer , immerse oneself into  the historical past  . The Royal Hotel , while reading the history of that place one can  take  self for a historical  ride into the past of this town . By the way the hotel was called in its days of early history  , more specifically in 1850  , Wellington Inn and was opened by  citizen of that already  important  town ,  Denis Hanrahan . Here the bookings for the Cobb &Co services   journeys across the plains of NSW  or carriage of gold , were taken  . The original Inn  during  1881 was renamed  and is holding  ever since  name of  Royal Hotel . Up to  1930  it was one story building . As town went through dynamic changes,  hotel also changed . Appearance   became in these days very fashionable style  Art Deco  structure , which even  now gives joy to the onlookers .  Many  more buildings in Orange  were constructed  in this  charming form of Art Deco style . These structures  shine in the  former glory  with their facades  and frontages for aesthetic  pleasure of all .  Park View Hotel  on other hand with great timber shades enveloping its structure ,also by the Robertson Park , beside great meals serves top deserts  . The Mexican  Caramel Tart is a true winner , even mentioned in the  major Australian newspaper “ Sydney Morning Herald “ for its delicious  taste and  culinary art of its creative appearance  . On the large , white plate  rests  crust  of pastry  adorned with ice cream and caramel which after a while  slowly start  flow like volcanic lava into pebbles of white , and dark chocolates, to stimulate one appetite for this delight of an extraordinary   desert .

While relaxing in town in spring time  the thoughts are  enriched by music of cicadas which were as in the past , one can only imagine  enriching and stimulating artistic mind of famous  Andrew Barton  Paterson , who is know as Banjo Paterson . This great Australian poet ,writer , author of “The man from Snowy River “ written  in 1895 ,reflects the pioneer mood and spirit  of early development of Australia , which could be only assumed were also common in Orange . Banjo Peterson was born at
Narrambla near Orange .

Orange Railway Station where  one after the rail trip from Sydney  arrives and also  has to return  again  to this great building  ,to embark  for travel back to  Sydney  present great visual and historical experience . This station in  the past witnessed  many important events. Great Australian operatic  soprano Dame Nellie Melba  in 1907 was welcomed  here  by many  lovers of her great,  already world renown and loved, voice .  Here  in 1920 Prince of Wales , later King Edward VIII also was  welcomed by Orange citizenry at this very attractively designed building .  So in comfort of the NSW Railways crew of “ XPT “ we travel back via Bathurst , Lithgow , Blue Mountain back to “ pearl of Pacific ”  Sydney .

To Sydney overseas visitors arrive  on board of Qantas Airways , Singapore  Airlines , Air China which with LOT Polish Airlines provide great airfares from all corners of our Globe to Sydney and other regions of Australia .

November 2013

WMIG

Websites helpful with planning the trip to  and in Orange :
http://www.nswtrainlink.info/  – for XPT – Countrylink train bookings ,
http://www.visitnsw.com/visitor-information-centres/orange-visitor-information-centre    -Tourism information Centre  NSW – Orange ,

http://www.parkvieworange.com.au/home.html     – Hotel Park View Information / accommodation
and meals ,
http://oesc.com.au/     – meals at RSL – Return Servicemen League ,

http://www.visitorange.com.au/   – Orange Visitors bureau