New South Wales Archives - Page 2 of 127

29 February 202420 February 2024

Tocal Homestead New South Wales

Located in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, the Tocal Homestead is a historic house and associated buildings originally established in 1822 by J. P. Webber. In 1834 the property was sold to Caleb and Felix Wilson, who commissioned the homestead as a country retreat from their Sydney business.

Subsequently the farm was leased to the Reynolds family who occupied it for two generations adding many of the wooden buildings to the farm. In 1926, four siblings of the Alexander family purchased the property. The last, C.B. Alexander died in 1947, leaving all of his properties tied in a complex will which stipulated that it was to be used for destitute and homeless children. Eventually this became the Tocal Agricultural College, now run by the NSW Department of Agriculture. The college is located not far from the homestead and is now an important educator in the agricultural industry.

An additional stipulation of the will was the allowance of his two nieces Myrtle and Marguerita Curtiss be allowed to live out their lives at the homestead. This they did until 1985 when they died within five days of each other.

Getting There

Located a 15-minute drive from Maitland, the homestead is well sign posted and easy to find. During our visit, it was only open on Sundays from 10:00AM to 3:00PM, but check their website for updated times and dates.

Tocal Homestead

The tour of the homestead is self-guided, with a map and personal audio player provided at reception. This allows you to self-pace around the property, taking your time at places of interest and moving on from others. The descriptions of each room, their uses and furnishings were excellent.

Alexander was keen to use new technology, installing electricity in the homestead. Not only did he purchase a generator, but also sufficient battery storage in case the generator failed.

Battery storage for the generator Tocal Homestead New South Wales — Lister engine and generator

Internal Lift

Another innovation Alexander adopted was the internal lift so that the upper floor could be accessed as he aged. Unfortunately, on one night while alone in the house, one of the Curtiss sisters was trapped in the lift. She had to wait until the staff arrived in the morning to let her out.

Farm Buildings and Equipment

Designed by architect James Blackett the largest barn has amazing internal framework for the roof is a work of art. As you walk around, you get to meet some of the animals as you walk past the pig stye and chicken run.

Near the homestead is a garage with a 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom in immaculate condition, along with the first tractor used at Tocal, a Twin City 17-28 imported from Minneapolis USA.

Bull barn Tocal Homestead New South Wales — Bull barn

Wedding Venue

The homestead is a popular wedding venue, with its wonderfully decorated rooms and gardens.

Fig tree in the homestead garden. A favorite spot for wedding photos.

Visitors’ Centre and Cafe

At the end of the tour, we went back to reception where we ordered a Devonshire Tea. The little cafe overlooks the surrounding farmland and was very relaxing.

27 February 202420 February 2024

Animal March Sculptures Maitland

Animal March Sculptures at Greenhills Maitland

If you get tired of shopping, want a break or are waiting for someone, while at the Greenhills Shopping Centre in Maitland NSW Australia, the area outside the food hall is a great option. Not only are there places for the kids to play, and tables and chairs to sit and eat at but there are some great sculptures located there. Spread throughout the area Animal March Sculptures, represents local wildlife. Made by Gillie and Marc you can find them either in the garden beds or around the tables.

The largest ones are of wombats, koalas and kangaroos, but if you look closely, you will find birds, turtles and possums. A great addition to the centre, it certainly adds interest to the area while showing the native animals that we need to care for.

A Family of Wombats Animal March Sculptures Maitland — A Family of Wombats

Mother and Baby Koala — A Family of Wombats

20 February 20248 February 2024

Anchorage Marina Port Stephens

Located at Corlette in Port Stephens NSW Australia the Anchorage Marina and its associated luxury hotel overlook the beautiful Karuah River while only being a short walk or drive to Nelson Bay.

We stopped here to look at the sculptures on display and see the views over the river.

Public parking is available next to the hotel and adjacent to a playground. If you have young children this is a great place to let them burn off some energy after a car ride.

Although access to the hotel is restricted to guests, the water front and break walls are open to the public.

The first sculpture is an amazing sail fish, which is next to the playground. Scattered along the marina five sculptures by Gillie and Marc, featuring their Rabbit Woman and Dog Man can be found. Two are interactive, allowing you to sit on the bike or bench for a photo.

People were fishing on both break walls during our visit and seemed to be doing well. Several young families were enjoying themselves on Corlette Beach which is next to the marina.

This was a quick stop for us to see the artwork, but families could make a day of it fishing and relaxing on the beach.