Fast facts
- Historic township on the Hunter River
- Straddling the Pacific Highway just north of Newcastle
- 177 km north of Sydney, population 12,500
Why go there
Raymond Terrace has an interesting historic precinct with a number of buildings that date back almost to the earliest days of colonial Australia.
At nearby Williiamtown, Fighter World is a thrilling display of aircraft, engines and armament spanning 100 years of aviation history. Included in the collection are Meteor, Vampire, Sabre, Mirage and Mig fighter aircraft, as well as replicas of Spitfires, Messerschmitts and Fokkers.
History
This area was originally occupied by the Worimi Aboriginals. In 1831 local landowner James King established a vineyard with vines from France, Portugal and Spain, as well as grazing cattle and cultivating wheat. A number of public buildings were built around the 1850s but trade declined when the river silted up later in the century. A Royal Australian Airforce base was established at nearby Williamtown in 1941.
Things to do
- Visit the Sketchley Pioneer Cottage Museum and explore local history.
- Pick up a brochure from the Visitor Information Centre and take a self-guided tour of the town’s historic buildings.
- Wander through the superb wildflower and native vegetation at the Hunter Botanic Gardens.
Don’t miss
- A picnic on the grass at historic Riverbank Park.
- Tomago House, an elegant sandstone mansion, open Sundays.
- Tomteland Fun Park for a day of children’s entertainment.
- Watch the FA-18 Hornets from Fighter World come in to land.
- Boating on Grahamstown Lake.
