In the early 1940s Port Stephens was a large natural harbour close to the vulnerable, yet essential steelworks of Newcastle. Australia was at war with Japan. An unguarded Port Stephens could have provided an easy landing place for any hostile force. The guns at Newcastle were too far away to provide protection for Port Stephens. - By the end of 1942 Fort Tomaree was constructed and ready, with two "six inch" (152mm) guns, torpedo tubes, mortars, machine guns...

With the war moving closer to Japan, the Amphibious Training C e n t r e w a s c l o s e d o n O c t o b e r 1 2 t h 1943, after only a year of operation. From then until the end of hostili- ties on the 15th of August 1945, the military facilities around Port Stephens played only a minor role in supply and training. Gan Gan Army Camp, 4km from Nelson Bay was a troop staging and training area. The buildings there consisted of kitchens, mess, toilets and abluti...

The lives of some of the people who lived in Koonorigan in the 1900's.The following history was written as part of the celebration of the ‘Koonorigan Public School Golden Jubilee’ in 1961. The little district of Konorigan lies on what is named on a Parish map of 1912 as ‘Konorigan Range’. It rises from the low land of Goolmangar, by way of a steep ascent to the main ridge that leads eventually to the Nightcap Range, which is the watershed of the Richmond-Tweed Ri...

One morning in 1955, after a lot of rain, the Cox’s cows did not come up for their milking. After a search they were found on a patch of ground 400 metres across that had slipped 2 metres down the hill. The sides were too steep for them to climb out. A neighbour who had bought the land next to the spring had a problem with Crofton weed and bought 20 goats to do the clearing. The Cox’s cows had never seen goats before and they went crazy. It took a week for...

Many events in nature occur with surprising predictability. Only by keeping records of what you see happening, will you become convinced of this regularity. This book is based on 16 years of observations. It goes some of the way in documenting the annual bird and fish migrations, as well as the flowering of our plants and the life cycles of our animals. There are many worthy arguments for keeping such records. A number of people from the Timelines Hunter Group a...

Port Stephens is blessed with many interest- ing landscapes, through which pass a number of excellent walking tracks. Enjoy the superb views from the tops of Gan Gan Hill, Tomaree Peak, Stephens Peak and Yacaaba. There are walks around the estuary of Port Stephens, freshwater and tidal swamps, cliff tops, forests, heathlands and beaches. The Tomaree Peninsula has about 650 plant spe- cies, 230 bird species, 48 mammal species and 38 reptile species so far record...

* The tracks are generally dry and sandy, wear shoes that will not collect and hold sand. * Do not go into the bush during a Total Fire Ban. * Most walks are short and there is no need to take anything apart from this guide. If you must take something choose from the following in order of importance, water, insect repellent, raincoat, warm clothes and a camera. * A walking rate of 4km per hour on the flat, and 2km per hour on the slopes can be expected.

Easy walks, the best of the rainforest, dramatic walks, rugged wild walks and THE BEST.

Leech You take your socks off after a walk in the bush and you notice blood. Your foot and ankle have a number of red circu-lar bites, oozing blood. You have been bitten by leeches. They have sucked your blood and departed. Some might be hiding in your shoe, or still be attached. Much has been written on the best way to make them let go: fire, salt or Rid. Just pull them off, it makes little difference. The bite may be very itchy and bleed for up to 2 week...