Williamtown and Medowie

Home to Newcastle Airport in Port Stephens and the RAAF base – the neighbourhood of Williamtown is a rural hub just 25 minutes from Newcastle and 30 minutes to Nelson Bay.

Watch the Fighter Jets take off at incredible speed from the viewing deck (might need the ear plugs) and visit Fighter World for a hands-on experience in an aviation museum.

Jump on a quad bike tour with Quad Bike King or Sand Dune Adventures for a cultural and adventurous experience riding the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes – Worimi Conservation Lands. Four-wheel drives (with permits) can access the dunes also from the Lavis Lane entrance.

A few kilometres north of Williamtown, the neighbourhood of Medowie is a growing community still surrounded by rural properties and growers. Treat yourself at the Macadamia farm cafe and shop or grab some fresh fruits and veggies from the Little Tin Shed. Golf enthusiasts will be happy to discover Pacific Dunes a championship golf course ranked number five in Australia.

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Whian Whian

Whian Whian is located in the heart of the Northern Rivers hinterland, 25 kilometres north of Lismore. Whian Whian State Conservation Area was created in 2003 to protect the area surrounded by Nightcap National Park. This site is home to threatened species such as the spotted tailed quoll, koala and platypus. Camp or enjoy a picnic in the rainforest at Rummery Park, and enjoy a short walk up Boggy Creek to Minyon Falls.

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Wauchope

Located on the Hastings River, 19 kilometres west of Port Macquarie, Wauchope (pronounced War-hope) is a friendly town of country charm and hospitality. Surrounded by hobby farms, agriculture and over 40000 hectares of National Parks and State Forests, it’s the gateway to waterfalls and outdoor adventure of the Hinterland.

The township has vibrant cafes, boutique shops, family friendly parks and picturesque walks along the Hastings River. Along the river foreshore you will find barbecue facilities, boat ramps and paths that are cycle friendly.

In the mid 1800s, pioneers made the town famous as a timber town. Now it’s home to Timbertown Heritage Theme Park, a major working recreation of a typical 1800s timber town and home of Australia’s largest water wheel.

Wauchope, a motorcycle friendly town, is the starting point of a popular stretch of long winding roads through the Great Dividing Range to Walcha. The Farmers Markets are held on the fourth Saturday of the month offering fresh regional produce. Other favourite nearby attractions are Billabong Zoo, Bago Vineyard and Maze (they have Jazz in the Vineyard every second Sunday of the month) and Old Bottlebutt, the largest Red Bloodwood tree in the Southern Hemisphere.

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Wardell

In the 1850s, Wardell was a cedar getter settlement known as ‘Blackwall’ where two saw mills operated and the river trade flourished. As the availability of cedar wood diminished, so the opportunity arose for the planting of sugar cane and this now remains the main industry of Wardell.

Wardell is a great fishing spot and the ‘Wardell Walkabout’ is a tour of the historic buildings of a bygone era. A brochure is available at the Ballina Visitor Information Centre.

While visiting Wardell make sure you pick up a delicious Wardell pie and take the family for a round of foot golf!

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Warners Bay

Warners Bay is located on the northern side of Lake Macquarie, offering a relaxed lakeside lifestyle. Enjoy boutique shopping while you’re on holidays or dine at one of the casual eateries by the lake.

A great way to explore the area is on foot. Walking trails around the foreshore connect Warners Bay with Speers Point, an easy walk for the whole family. A longer walk takes you further to Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery at Boorugal. Be sure to have a picnic in the landscaped gardens along the foreshore where there are also playgrounds for the kids.

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Wangi Wangi

The town of Wangi Wangi sits on the calm waters of western Lake Macquarie. Learn about the life and works of acclaimed artist Sir William Dobell whose home and studio sits on the lake’s shores. Winner of three Archibald Prizes, he lived in Wangi Wangi until his death.

Enjoy sailing on the lake or explore the Wangi Point Flora and Fauna Reserve with great walking trails, fishing spots and panoramic views.

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Wallabi Point

Wallabi Point is a small village overlooking the Pacific Ocean which is renowned for its surfing beach.

At the far end of Wallabi Point is Saltwater Nature Reserve. This magnificent reserve is maintained by the local branch of National Parks and Wildlife Service, as this is of major cultural significant’s to the local Birpi people. The park has a lagoon, barbecue and picnic tables. The park contains Aboriginal sites which relate to Dreamtime beliefs and the lagoon provides safe swimming for families.

The long, white sandy beach connects to the seaside village of Diamond Beach.

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Waitui Falls

Waitui Falls is a local landmark, a hidden waterfall in Comboyne State Forest in the Barrington Coast.

The short loop walking trail is great for a quick bushwalk with the family followed by a swim at the falls as reward. The lightly coloured water is the effect of fallen leaves ‘brewing’ like tea in the still waters.

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Waitui

Waitui is a small area located near Wingham and Taree in New South Wales. It is located in the Barrington Coast region, part of the MidCoast Council LGA. It is well known for its iconic landmark, Waitui Falls. Waitui Falls is a great day trip for the whole family to enjoy nature’s best.

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Wadeville

The small town of Wadeville is located close to the town of Cawongla. Wadeville Woolies (formerly the Border Ranges Centre) offers clean modern amenities, spacious and grassy camping and van sites along with single and double rooms with the spectacular views of the southern edge of the Border Ranges National Park.

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