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Tag: Tour

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Norah Head Lighthouse

Norah Head Lighthouse

Norah Head Lighthouse

Located at Norah Head on the Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia, Norah Head Lighthouse is still active after 120 years of operation. Built in 1903 it was the last lighthouse of the James Barnet style constructed. The lighthouse is 27 metres (89 ft) high and has a light characteristic of two white flashes every 15 seconds. This distinguishes it from other nearby lighthouses which will have a different number of flashed or separations.

Getting There

Parking is available onsite but is quite small and during busy periods fills quickly. Once the car park is full, visitors can park on the access road, or walk in from town which is a 10-minute walk.

Norah Head Lighthouse
Norah Head Lighthouse

Opening Times

The lighthouse is open to the public for guided tours every day (except Christmas Day and Anzac Day) between 10 am and 3 pm. Arriving early we were the only customers for the 10 am tour. This was great because we had the undivided attention of the guide. Our guide was great and being a volunteer, very passionate about the lighthouse. He kept up a running commentary for the whole tour, even while climbing the steps (there are 96 of them).

Ground Floor

On the ground floor we saw the weights that used to turn the light. Wound up and then released, they slowly moved down, with their movement turning the light. Not surprisingly, this was a laborious job and has been replaced by an electric motor.

Weight system to turn the light
Weight system to turn the light
Spiral staircase Norah Head Lighthouse
Spiral staircase

Balcony

At the balcony level, we saw the unique markings used by the lighthouse. Each lighthouse had its own unique design, so that during the day, if the light couldn’t be seen, sailors could still determine their location.

Norah Head Identification Shape Norah Head Lighthouse
Norah Head Identification Shape
Red navigation light
Red navigation light

The Light

At the light deck, our guide explained how airflow to the original kerosene that fuelled the lamp was controlled. Incorrect airflow would result in black soot deposits on the glass lens, restricting it’s visibility. Brass air inlets could be opened or shut depending on wind speed and direction, ensuring the light burned correctly.

Air vent used to control light brightness
Air vent used to control light brightness

Climbing the 96 steps was not difficult as there were many breaks for explanations. One was about the stairs themselves which are made is slate with brass fittings, so that sparks are not generated. Although not significant now, it was a vital consideration when the lighthouse burned kerosene.

The view from the top was spectacular, with views up and down the coast. This also gave us a bird’s eye view of the lighthouse keepers’ cottages, which are now used as guest houses.

The light Norah Head Lighthouse
The light
View from the top of the lighthouse looking south
View from the top of the lighthouse looking south
Lighthouse keepers' cottages
Lighthouse keepers’ cottages

Following the tour, we walked over the rock platform below the cliff that the lighthouse is built on. On returning, we saw a long queue waiting to do the tour, making us very pleased that we had come early.

Looking up at the lighthouse from the beach Norah Head Lighthouse
Looking up at the lighthouse from the beach

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

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Cascade Brewery Tour Hobart

Cascade Brewery

Cascade Brewery Tour Hobart

How to Get There

Only a five-minute drive from Hobart’s CBD in the foothills of Mount Wellington, the Cascade Brewery Tour is a must for lovers of beer and cider.

The Cascade Brewery

Having operated since 1824, the Brewery is Australia’s oldest, and a tour is a history lesson as well as beer making. Originally a sawmill but converted to a brewery because of the mountain water onsite, the building is still in use. The dates on the front of the building refer to the extension made in 1927 when new equipment required more height. This is still visible in the façade, where the material for the lower three floor differs from the upper levels.

In addition to tours, the brewery offers meals and a bar in the old manager’s residence, where you can relax after the tour, or just enjoy a meal or drink.

  • Cascade Brewery
    Cascade Brewery
  • Lounge at the Cascade Brewery
    Lounge at the Cascade Brewery
  • Old Beer Keg
    Old Beer Keg

The Cascade Brewery Tour

Several different tours are available depending on age (16 years old and over can go on the extended factory tour that we did). An all ages tour caters for everyone, but does not enter the factory, nor does it offer beer and cider samples afterwards.

A safety briefing and protective equipment (hard hat, glasses, gloves and hair net and fluoro vest) are given at the start of the tour. This not only ensures your safety, as your are touring a working brewery, but also keeps the beer making process safe from you.

Unfortunately, no photos are allowed on the tour, so the secret of Cascades beer and cider process is still safe.

The comprehensive tour follows the whole process from grain delivery to bottling, packaging and distribution. We found it all very interesting especially the brewing and malting part.

We also found out that all waste products are used either on site or as animal feed. Nice to know that beer is environmentally conscious, as well as tasting great.

There was also a look at cider production, which uses some of the apples Tasmania is famous for.

Finishing the tour is a tasting platter of four beers or ciders. As we had a platter each, we were able to taste all of the beers and ciders on offer.

Beer and Cider Tasting Platter Cascade Brewery Tour
Beer and Cider Tasting Platter

What Did We Think?

This was a fun tour that we really enjoyed. Seeing the whole beer making process and then tasting the product was great fun. If you are in Hobart, it’s worth doing.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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Walking With Llamas in the Hunter Valley

Cool Llama Walking With Llamas

Walking With Llamas

Run by the Llama Collective and based at Lindemans Winery, Walking With Llamas is a fun and relaxing way to spend an hour in the Hunter Valley vineyards. Participants meet at the Lindeman’s car park where you can take pictures before you start your walk with your allocated Lama. The owners are very friendly, relaxed and amazing people that are passionate about their animals. When you get there, you have your name ticked off and then introducing to your llama. The name of our llama was Spudnik and being only a year old, was still learning what to do. Llamas were paired depending on the age and animal experience of participants.

  • Lindemans Winery
    Lindemans Winery
  • Spudnik the Llama walking with llamas
    Spudnik the Llama
  • Cool Llama Walking With Llamas
    Cool Llama
  • Walking With Llamas Ready to Go
    Walking With Llamas Ready to Go

Spudnik was great to lead around although he did like to stop and eat grass and leaves at every opportunity. At one stage he decided to lie down and refused to get up until he saw his friends walking off. They don’t like to be away from their friends at all.

The llamas all had individual personalities and friends. They liked to walk with friends which makes it easier to guide them.

There were plenty of stops to take photos with the llamas and the vineyards or Brokeback Range in the background. The owners will happily take photos for you!

Brokeback Ranges From Lindeman's Walking with Llamas
Brokeback Ranges From Lindeman’s

The hour went quickly and before we knew it we were back at the carpark where we said goodbye to Spudnik. We must add that we were not rushed at the end to go, we also got a certificate with a picture of our Llama!

Cheese Chocolate and Olive Oil at Lindemans

Whilst at the vineyard we decided to see what else there was on offer. On the second floor of the Lindemans Winery you will find Hunter Belle Cheese and Hunter Olive Co. This is a great place to go after you have finished with the llama walk and buy some great tasting products to take home. There is ample opportunity to do some amazing tasting!

Hunter Belle Cheese have some wonderful cheeses, all made from local products that are very tasty. We tasted at least six types of cheese, from brie and camembert to cheddar and blue, taking home the first two. They also have some chocolate for sale, which was also delicious, which we didn’t take home, because we ate it with our coffee from Lindemans Cafe.

Next door is Hunter Olive, selling olive oil in many different flavours, making it a great place to taste and buy more local produce.

  • Scenery Around Lindemans
    Scenery Around Lindemans
  • Hunter Belle Dairy Co.
    Hunter Belle Dairy Co.
  • Chocolate Tasting at Hunter Belle
    Chocolate Tasting at Hunter Belle
  • Hunter Valley Olive Co.
    Hunter Valley Olive Co.

What Did We Think?

We finished the morning with a coffee at the Lindeman’s Cafe overlooking the fantastic Hunter Valley scenery. Walking with Llamas was a great experience and something a little different to the usual winery tours in the Hunter Valley. We also enjoyed the cheese, chocolate and olive oil tasting, which are highly recommended.

To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.

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