Raymond Terrace is a town located in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated approximately 35 kilometers northwest of Newcastle and about 200 kilometers north of Sydney. It is located in the local government area of Port Stephens Council.
When it comes to places to visit in Raymond Terrace, there are several attractions that you’re sure to enjoy. This town is located in the Hunter Region, approximately 26 kilometers north of Newcastle, on the Pacific Highway. It was established in 1837 and lies at the confluence of the Williams River and the Hunter River. If you’re looking for an easy day trip from the city, consider checking out the local attractions listed below.
Sketchley Pioneer Cottage Museum
Visit the Sketchley Pioneer Cottage Museum in Raymond Terrace NSW to learn about the history of the area and how the local people lived in the 1800s. The town was named after its founder, Raymond Shortland, and it used to be the town’s business center until a major flood hit the area in 1955. The town is located between the Pacific Highway and the Hunter River, and is approximately 169 km north of Sydney. The town is located at 12 m above sea level and is 26 km north of Newcastle.
The Society’s museum and precinct are both housed in a historic timber slab colonial farm house, which was built in the late 1840s. The museum displays many collections, including items from the time of the First World War. The Sketchley Cottage’s page has information on available publications, open hours, and an archive of the Society’s newsletter. To learn more about the Sketchley Pioneer Cottage Museum in Raymond Terrace NSW, visit their website.
Fighter World
For an air-filled day, you can visit the Australian aviation heritage centre of Fighter World in Raymond Terrace, NSW. Part of RAAF Aviation and Heritage, the attraction preserves the history of RAAF fighter operations. The RAAF, or Royal Australian Air Force, is known for its fighter aircraft. In addition to preserving the history of Australian aviation, Fighter World also features an impressive collection of military aircraft. To see more, check out this article for tips on what to see and do at Fighter World in Raymond Terrace, NSW.
Located in Raymond Terrace, the museum’s Sabre is a beloved aircraft. The plane was relocated from its plinth at Bettles Park, where it had been since 1981. A book by author Trevor Boughton was written about the Raymond Terrace Sabre. Now, it will be restored to display standard at Fighter World. A re-enactment of the battle of Raymond Terrace is planned. Visitors can see the planes firsthand.
Wallaroo State Forest
If you’re in the mood for a bush walk or a hike in the Australian bush, head to the Wallaroo State Forest in Raymond Terrace. This area of state forest is near Pacific Highway and just north of Raymond Terrace. The forest is a perfect spot for hiking, bush walking, or even 4WDing. Throughout the month, the forest hosts several events and activities, including bush Fun Runs. To learn more about upcoming events, check out the Australian Running Calendar.
The Karuah, Medowie, and Wallaroo Group of Parks is located on the lower north coast of New South Wales. It is made up of several parks: Karuah National Park, Wallaroo State Forest, and Medowie State Conservation Area. The park also has a nature reserve, the Wallaroo Nature Reserve. It is a part of the Worimi Aboriginal nation and contains over two million hectares of state forest.
Ash Island
Ash Island was once one of a number of islands and mudflats found in the Hunter River estuary near Hexham. Today it is part of the larger island known as Kooragang Island. It has an interesting history of occupation and use.
The islands of the Hunter River estuary have a long history of occupation. For thousands of years the Worimi and Awabakal people hunted, fished and collected food from the area, well supplied by the abundant flora and fauna that included water birds, shellfish, wetland plants, mammals and fish.
The islands in the estuary, including Ash Island, were explored and surveyed by Europeans in 1801. Ash trees were abundant, with mangrove and swamp oak and species of eucalypt also recorded. Within about 20 years, most of the valuable timber, such as red cedar and ash (that gave the island its name), was removed from the island.
You can take your children on a stroll through the Ash Island walkway. The walking trail is flat and easy to navigate with a stroller, but be careful of rotting boards and be sure to hold onto your children. This 1km trail will take about 30 minutes to complete, passing remnants of rainforest and mangroves. You can also spot tiny crabs in the mud flats.
In 1827, Ash Island was granted to Alexander Walker Scott. The grant included 2560 acres of prime land that retained much of its forest, despite losing its profitable trees, and would be a paradise to naturalists. He settled there in 1831 with his mother and sister, although shared his time between the island and other properties in the Hunter and Sydney. He made Ash Island his primary residence after his marriage to Harriet Calcott in 1846, moving there with her, his step-daughter Mary Ann (his other step-daughter Frances had married) and two daughters Helena and Harriet.
Under Scott, Ash Island was a social and learned community. Despite its relative isolation, visitors included travellers, artists like Conrad Martens, scientists and collectors such as John and Elizabeth Gould, and the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, who stated in 1842 that the island ‘… is a remarkably fine place, not only to enjoy the beauty of nature, a broad shining river, a luxuriant vegetation, a tasteful comfortable cottage with a plantation of orange trees but to collect a great number of plants which I had never seen before … It’s a romantic place, which I like well enough to think that – perhaps – I’d be content to live and die there …’.
For many years a wooden bridge linked Ash Island to the mainland at Hexham (replaced today with a short concrete bridge), but most traffic came and went by boat, docking at a long jetty built on the point of the island facing upriver.
Tomago House
A small brown signboard pointing to Tomago House in Raymond Terrace NSW is the first hint that you’re in the right place. Built in 1838, this charming home features sandstone that was transported by barge from a quarry in the Hunter Valley. Highlights of the interior include a marble fireplace, ornate cornices, and an ornate central hall with raised roof. There’s also excellent plasterwork and cedar joinery throughout. Bay windows and French doors opening onto a verandah and cast-iron columns.
The home was originally the cottage of Colonel Snodgrass, who was acting governor of NSW from 1837 to 1838. It is now known as Coo-ee and features ornate cast-iron curlicues, stained-glass windows, and a grand window frame. Today, this is an important heritage building in Raymond Terrace. The house is an iconic landmark in the town. A visit to Tomago House will take you back in time to a time when the locals were proud of their heritage.
The Town
The town of Raymond Terrace is located in the Port Stephens Shire, approximately 177 km north of Sydney. The town is situated 12 metres above sea level and was named after a land grant recipient. The town was a growing port of call until a major flood in 1955, when much of the town was destroyed. Raymond Terrace has three main areas that are well worth exploring. The town’s oldest building, St John’s Church, is located in the Glenelg Street section of the city. There are many historic buildings throughout the city, including the Raymond Terrace Regional Museum and the Raymond Terrace Civic Trust.
10 interesting facts about Raymond Terrace NSW
- Raymond Terrace is a town located in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It has a population of around 8,000 people.
- Raymond Terrace is located about 45 kilometers (28 miles) northwest of the city of Newcastle, on the banks of the Hunter River.
- The town was named after a prominent local landowner, William Raymond, who owned a large tract of land in the area.
- Raymond Terrace is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, with a number of historic buildings and sites in the area.
- The town has a number of local attractions, including the Raymond Terrace Art Gallery, the Raymond Terrace Visitor Information Centre, and the Raymond Terrace Library.
- The town is home to a number of sporting clubs and facilities, including the Raymond Terrace Rugby League Football Club and the Raymond Terrace Cricket Club.
- Raymond Terrace is located in a region with a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters. The average high temperature in the summer is around 27°C (81°F) and the average low temperature in the winter is around 10°C (50°F).
- The town is located in the Hunter Valley, which is known for its beautiful landscape, including vineyards, wineries, and national parks.
- Raymond Terrace has a strong agricultural and forestry industry, with a number of farms and forestry operations in the area.
- The town has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with a number of local festivals and events held throughout the year, including the Raymond Terrace Show and the Raymond Terrace Art Prize.