MOREE ,

being, rather not very well known town in the North- Western  plains   of NSW  , despite that  it  is     renowned as the Spa Capitalof Australia .
Especially in days of search  for   wellness and desire for the healthy bodies  , this is  outright  treasure   for  many  Australians and overseas visitors  as the   place where  all natural goodness of the  artesian waters  is absorbed  through often tired and  aching    bodies  of users of the Spa waters   .

The   town  holds and presents  many  charms  .   Hidden and not visible in the water  but   after  a while of the stay there ar to be  discovered as in many cases cures  for the  problems  related to the arthritis, only to sense  it that problems with the condition start to subside   .   It is what many attendees and users   of the spa waters claim and many believe .  Moree Hot Artesian Pool Complex (Spa Baths) is  basically Moree’s major tourist attraction.   Truly supported by the  New Australians of European background . Well   , if one feels  weary from travels or  just looking for a place to relax, this is a place .  The benefit of soaking  mineral rich   artesian water should sooth and revitalise one straight away. These mineral  waters posses “ life “ energy proprieties . These  waters  as it is said , rejuvenate . Jump into nature  made goodness of  Moree’s original artesian baths.  These  soothing mineral-rich water,  present  the luxury of constantly flowing, naturally  filtered water and also  opportunity to  make new friends in this tranquil
environment.  It’s like nothing you’ve   ever experienced!  The water used in the   spa pools is renewed approximately every six – ten minutes and comes from the  Great Artesian Basin, one of the largest artesian basins in the world and   underlying about one-fifth of Australia. It covers a total area of more than
1,711,000 square kilometres. Some artesian water is believed to be over two  million years old.  The Moree Pool bore  brings water to the surface from 868 metres under the ground. People call the   Moree Baths a fountain of youth. One thing is certain. An hour spent at the  Complex will be one of the most relaxing hours of any holiday. The original   dwellers of the region Kamilaroi Tribe of indigenous  Australians  called this special place “MOREE” , meaning “long water hole”.

The modern history of this Great Artesian Basin dates from  the moment when  Canadian  contractors  Crawfords and McCray  sunk on 09 November 1895 bore which eventually  started to bring the flow of contineouse   supply of  2.7 million litres  a day of 45 degree Celsius  warm   artesian water . the magic chemistry  of the water  being  slightly alkaline  contains   63.75 parts per 100000 parts of water  sodium carbonate and Calcium Chloride  . These waters  are  called “water of wellness” . The Moree Spa is  very popular and  visited on the frequent  basis by Australians  of European  background.  Visitors  from all over Australia , Australians  of Balkan , Russian , Central European  background  discovered   this great place  many years ago  and perform the annual “ pilgrimages “  to Moree to  relax and improve their bones strengths and   postures  . Also visitors  from Asian  countries  visit Moree.  All in joyous mood enjoy  the Spa , the waters  of Moree   while soaking the goodness from the water to cure  in many cases  arthritis or other problems  related to bodily bone structures .

Beside health benefits  Moree provides visitors with wide range of aesthetic elements of  its  architecture  and street scope . One can see in Moree great examples of  the “ art decor “design  of attractive  buildings beside the some representation of Colonial styles of  early XX century designs . Here on the  BALO main street of  one can enjoy true taste of coffee under the vines flowing from  tastefully set columns  gardens  to provide welcome shade .  Moree presents true delight of relaxation in  stylish atmosphere .  One can also enjoy great  artistic creations of renown artists  displaying their works at  the  truly interesting , attractive  building built in Edwardian style in 1910 for  the CBC Bank & Managers’s residence.

So the walk  through  the street  where  the buildings  from the period between 1920 and 1939 allows one to see some elements of XX century history of this interesting region of Australia and NSW .  Art Deco  being   mix of   the “ secession “ era  and  ancient geometry   of  design styles allows one to sense here  the  great atmosphere of international  cooperation in architectural design where   the influences of  American,  Egyptian, Greek and Spanish designers are  felt . Moree  can be reached  by plain , car  or by use of great  , very comfortable train service provided by  NSW Railway system .  While travelling by  train one enjoys the  interesting sites   of NSW . On the way to Moree  one crosses  great Liverpool Plains where amongst   “ chocolate “ colour mineral rich soil  successful townships  of   Quirindi , Gunnedah and Narrabri   thrive .  This area provides food  to many millions of people in NSW and in Australia as well lots of produce from  that soil is exported  overseas.   Just as the train approaches Moree one enters  other  special region  being  Moree Plains .  This amazing area of the Moree  Shire is the most productive agricultural  shire in Australia. Here again ,  cotton, beef,  cattle, wheat, sheep wool, cereal crops are harvested  to enrich     diet of Australians  and other nations of the world.   The black alluvial soils of the Gwydir Valley are some of  the richest in the southern hemisphere. Moree Plains Shire  is the most  productive agricultural shire in Australia. Our major agricultural industries  are cotton, beef cattle, pecan-nuts, olives, wheat, sheep wool, cereal  crops.  The Pecan Nut Farm is  one of  main attractions to enjoy as the tours option to the  farm  located 35 kilometres east of Moree on the Gwydir Highway. 95 % of Australia’s Pecan-nut crop is produced by Trawalla Pecan Nut Farm. It is the largest orchard in the Southern Hemisphere.  From here one can also arrange to  excursion to Lightning Ridge , town know for its opal mines  .  Moree is definitely place worth of adventurous trip , especially when one can reach the place in comfort and style of Country Link system of railroads on NSW .

WMIG April 2013

Sites to visit prior to visit of Moree  :

-planning trip by train to Moree : http://www.countrylink.info/planning_your_trip

Staying  in Moree:
Village Travel Inn Moree :  http://www.spavillagetravelinn.com.au/

Or  Maria Motel :   http://www.mariamotel.com.au/home.html

NSW  Tourism Bureau  :

http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/moree-and-narrabri-area/moree,

Information on Moree   and the Shire : http://www.mpsc.nsw.gov.au/

What a place , just short trip away from  Sydney and one can enjoy scenery , nature  and great holiday life style . Locals await the visitors : swim with dolphins , walk with koalas  and run with rabbits in between  the joys of great
meals serving local  produce and  sea foods  to be complimented with nearby  vineyards of Hunter Valley .

Port Stephens just like most of great  places in Australia and around the world  being  true  jewel of mid coast of  New south Wales , has also 10 things , maybe
not must to do, but definitely  to consider  for enjoyment .   So, number  one  are : 1.Great waterways  and water playgrounds  with golden sand  beaches  around the calm bay of Port Stephens  where  dolphins greet kayakers  or ferry riders to Tea Gardens . There is  plenty  of  surfing  fun at the  ocean beaches .  2.Warimi  conservation lands  with the
Stockton  Bight huge sand dunes provide lots of fun including camel rides by the ocean .3.Snorkling  on the reefs of the Port Stephens Bay.  4. Nelson  Head Heritage  Lighthouse  where  one learns lots of history of the area which  was already sighted by Captain Cook in 1770
and named in honour of  Sir Phillip Stephens  Secretary of Admiralty . 5.Tomaree Headland , which allows after  ½ hour climb  amazing vista of the area. The views are
scenic sometimes providing opportunity to see in the bush koalas, lizards or dolphins catching surf at the Zenith Ocean beach .

6.Gan Gan lookout  which presents pretty view on Nelson Bay and other places around the Bay . 7.Boat to Tea Gardens, little historical Ferry is a must as one can visit other side of the bay  with Tea Gardens  being starting point to Mayall river  and also Hawks Nest  attractively positioned by the ocean beach.
On the way one  sees  playing and fishing dolphins . Also diving for fish or elegantly drying its wings on oyster beds cormorants  and  high above soaring sea eagles  are some of great experiences .   8. Trying local foods and produce at the elegant restaurants and eateries is fun for the
pallet .9.Surrounding Islands, like Cabbage and Broughton can be base for rewarding fishing. 10.  And Bushwalking can be truly joy when one beside seeing nice flora of the area one sees also walking koala who searches for his comfortable special tree to feed on .

This place of amazing beauty , tranquility  has very interesting history  related to early days of Colony and was for the first  time visited by convict escapees who on the way to Java sailed here in  1790 and later on  in  1791  these welcoming water were visited by the “The Salamander” the  convicts transport ship . In XIX century at  Port Stephens , at early years some Chinese fishermen  started to operate fishing  and drying  and smoking fish for shipment  to China .The 1800’s Pt. Stephens  witnessed beginning of its proper development
into center of area  with coal mining in Tomago , lime burning  also gold search and early  stage of timber  industry . In 1942, as  the WWII Pacific  “ war theatre “  involved Australia , 20 thousands American troops landed here  and were training for the battle against Japanese  aggressor .  So the place has all aspects of attractions to satisfy anyone and any form of travel fun . Port Stephens can be reached from Sydney  by rented car , train or bus  using the route to  Newcastle and next to the destination of great experience . Sydney can be reached on other hand from any world corner by use of Singapore  Airlines , Qantas Airways and also their partner airline LOT Polish Airlines.

December  05 , 2012     WMIG

Official Pt. Stephens site:

http://www.portstephens.org.au/