FIND GLEN OAK

The depot in the old Paterson Goods Yards houses the Society's Museum collection of rail motors and other rolling stock items. The Museum is located opposite Paterson Railway Station on the North Coast Line to Brisbane. Road access and visitor entrance to the Museum is located off the end of Church Street. Visit Paterson Rail Motor Museum and see the old station masters residence that has been restored to it 1930s exterior and appearance colour scheme by State Rail Heritage. The residence provides a reception centre for visitors, facility for members and houses a display for railway memorabilia for both the steam and diesel era. Key items on display include a pair or NSWGR standard block telegraph instruments and large and miniature electric staff instruments formerly used by training at the Newcastle Railway Institute. The museum also includes one of the few remaining standard NSWGR good sheds.

Tocal has one of Australia's finest collections of colonial farm buildings dating from the 1830's. The Homestead is open at weekends from March to November. Important rural heritage because much, including barns, stables and the original residence built in 1822, remains intact. The Homestead (built in 1841) is set on a 2200 hectare property encompassing natural wetlands, dry sclerophyll forests and rainforest remnants. The Homestead is presented in the context of original outbuildings and sheds that contribute to the fascinating story of Tocal. Farm tours provide an opportunity to experience the beautiful 2200 hectare property. The tour includes the beef, horse, dairy and sheep enterprises as well as the natural features of the historic landscape. Tocal is a working farm so visitors are able to view the seasonal activities of the farm operations.

The Rail Motor Society is based about 50 kilometres north of Newcastle in the historic town of Paterson. Operated by volunteers dedicated and passionate about restoring, maintaining and operating rail motors. The group operates out of the old Paterson Goods Yard, affectionately named 'The Depot' and consists of a large working shed and rail yard. Experience the glory days dating back to 1923, view some of the best conserved heritage rolling stock in NSW. The Rail Motor Society also offers visitors unique tours on board the historical rail motors, both around the local area and across the state, please contact them for further information. The depot and museum site is open to the public on the third Saturday of every month (except December) and entry is by gold coin donation. Other times by appointment. The Society can also provide guest speakers for meetings or other group engagements, contact the Secretary.

Paterson Court House, built in 1857, was the centre of justice in the district, housing many policemen. In 1973, a small group of locals met in Paterson's School of Arts building to look into the possibility of forming a group to preserve the local region's history. They had no guidelines to work on, except to collect photographs of Paterson as it was in the early days, along with old stories, papers, and any other memorabilia from Paterson's past. Dungog Shire Council at this time offered the Court House to any group in Paterson willing to use it and take care of the building. The Court House provided a place to display the mounting number of items which were being donated, and a location for historical interest in the area. The first name chosen for the organisation was the "Paterson Preservation Society", but this was changed to the "Paterson Historical Society".

Seaham Swamp Bird Hide is a haven for birdwatching. Visit this great Seaham attraction to see a variety of Hunter region waterfowl, both out in the swamp and sheltering in the hide.

0.3km (one way) - 0.33 hour Enjoy a short walk through ironbark forest with lovely views of the adjacent Seaham Swamp. A great option for walking with kids, this easy 300m track is ideal for birdwatching and nature-spotting. Keep watching as you stroll - it's likely you'll spy a range of waterfowl and migratory birds, and perhaps a goanna or grey kangaroo too.

Whether you're interested in birdwatching, Aboriginal heritage, bushwalking or natural history, the Hunter region's Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve offers a memorable experience. Birdwatching enthusiasts have already caught onto this little gem, which is a habitat for numerous waterfowl.

A former courthouse building (1869) is the site of a local history museum which focuses on Clarence Town as a terminal of navigation and river port. It's collection encompasses shipbuilding, exploration, maps, documents photographs, memorabilia, household items, timber-getting, agriculture and the history of the settlement of Williams River. In addition to the above, a native cottage garden is in the process of being established, together with a replica pioneer settlers cottage about to be constructed, materials on site, containing names, photographs (where available), and information on Pioneer Settlers; all surrounded by native trees. In this manner there will be provided a background to Clarence Town's heritage and a support to the Historical Museum.

The Rail Motor Society Open Day is held on the third Saturday of each month. It is an opportunity for the general public to view the operations of the Rail Motor Society Depot and Museum at Paterson. The Rail Motor Society was establish in 1984. The collection spans 1926 to 1961, and includes a 42 foot Rail Motor from 1961, as well as a 720 Class Driving Trailer Car. The 13 collections of different rail Motor and Trailer Cars are a must for all train enthusiasts. Tours are also available....

Tocal has one of Australia's finest collections of colonial farm buildings dating from the 1830's. The Homestead is open at weekends from March to November. Important rural heritage because much, including barns, stables and the original residence built in 1822, remains intact. The Homestead (built in 1841) is set on a 2200 hectare property encompassing natural wetlands, dry sclerophyll forests and rainforest remnants. The Homestead is presented in the context of original outbuildings and sheds that contribute to the fascinating story of Tocal. Farm tours provide an opportunity to experience the beautiful 2200 hectare property. The tour includes the beef, horse, dairy and sheep enterprises as well as the natural features of the historic landscape. Tocal is a working farm so visitors are able to view the seasonal activities of the farm operations....

The iron lattice bridge over the Paterson River, south of Paterson was built in 1887. Despite the dominance of timber bridges in the area, there were rivers whose sizes and flood histories required much larger spans in order to maximise the clear waterway. From 1870 to 1893 lattice bridges from England and Belgium were the choice for these major bridges for both road and rail. There are five bridges of this type in the Hunter Region .... this one over the Paterson River and four over the Hunter River. There were only two styles built. Up until 1876 the bridges were deep and had vertical ends, then J.A. MacDonald revised the design and produced a shallower depth and introduced graceful curved ends, as was the case with the Paterson Bridge. The bridge replaced a punt that went across the river slightly upstream. Source: RTA, Historic Bridges of the Hunter Valley and photos courtesy of Paterson Historical Society. ...

The Good Samaritan Donkey Sanctuary was established in 1990 to care for rescued donkeys. Specifically, it offers shelter, food, refuge and care for abandoned, neglected, mistreated or ill donkeys. The sanctuary is at Glen William, approximately 30 kilometres south of Dungog in the picturesque Upper Hunter Valley. They would love to have you visit them and the Sanctuary has long been a favourite among groups. ...

The area which became known as Clarence Town was first settled by white settlers following the visit of Lieutenant Colonel Paterson who travelled up the river now known as the Williams River in 1801. The area was originally known as Erringhi ('place of wild duck' in the local dialect) but the name was changed to Clarence Town in 1832 after the Duke of Clarence, who in 1883 became King William the fourth. The ship building industry began to grow, as timber in the area was plentiful. Many ocean going vessels were loaded with timber for destinations in many parts of the world. The earliest economic activity in the Clarence Town area was cedar cutting, performed with convict labour from 1801. Clarence Town is located 20 kilometres south of Dungog. The village grew around the early river ports, which were used to transport timber from the area to Maitland, Newcastle and beyond. The village of Clarence Town was surveyed and proclaimed in 1823. The Clarence Town river port and ship building industry quickly began to grow, as timber in the area was plentiful and of good quality. Clarence Town’s location was determined by the fact that it was the head of navigation of that river and had a natural river crossing existing at the site of the present bridge. This was the William IV, a replica of which was built for Australia’s Bicentenary. In the absence of proper roads, Clarence Town became the head of navigation for goods transported further north to Dungog and Gloucester by bullock wagons and drays. Many historic buildings still remain but the main attraction of town is the Williams River. Its wide banks and calm conditions make it popular....

John Tucker Park is located in the township of Paterson and is located beside the River. It is named after local identity John Tucker who in 1939 purchased a riverside parcel of land alongside a small area already being used as a park by the public. He then presented his purchase to Council, ensuring it would be added to the area on the river bank. Later Dungog Shire Council purchased more land to extend the park. There are covered picnic tables and barbecues available in the park, as well as play equipment. The Paterson New Year's Eve Festival is held at John Tucker Park annually on New Year's Eve. ...

Located in Port Stephens, near Newcastle in the NSW Hunter region, Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve offers birdwatching, bushwalking and Aboriginal heritage. Birdwatching enthusiasts have already caught onto this little gem, which is a habitat for numerous waterfowl. Locals will also tell you it’s a great place for a walk at any time of year, and historically significant in more ways than one. Seaham Swamp Nature Reserve boasts an impressive variety of freshwater wetland habitats, from open water and mud flats to melaleuca forest, open woodlands and pasture. Bring along a picnic, a camera and your trusty walking shoes and you’re all set for a delightful day in the great outdoors....

Nestled on the banks of the Paterson River, the historic village of Paterson invites you to step back in time via the self-guided Paterson Town Walk. A self-guided walk around the historic town of Paterson, providing information about its heritage buildings and features The area was originally blanketed in a cedar forest – the ancestral lands of the Wonnarua, Gringai and the Worimi people for thousands of years. As early as 1811 a few small farms were established at Paterson Plains with the first white settlement at Old Banks on the river near Tocal, where convict gangs cut and floated cedar logs down the river. First land grants were in 1821 and in 1833 the town of Paterson was surveyed. European influence quickly spread and Paterson became one of the earliest settled areas on the Australian mainland. A further subdivision in 1840 formed and in 1885 Paterson was proclaimed a town. Paterson continued to prosper as a centre of law and river trade until the coming of the railway in 1911. This event made a dramatic change and Paterson settled into its tranquillity of today. ...

The boat ramp at Bridge Reserve (adjacent to the Williams River Holiday Park) at Clarence Town is a great spot to access the Williams River. One option is to travel upriver under the historic “Brig ‘O Johnson” Bridge and continue north along the Williams River towards Rowlands Falls. Your journey upstream will be through farmland and there is abundant of bird life to see. Clarence Town has a shipbuilding industry where Australia’s first ocean-going steamer was built. An important part of the regions economy in days gone by. The early establishment of relatively small farms on the river, and the ease of river transport led to rapid growth. Along with tobacco factories and steam driven flour mills, one of the earliest National Schools was founded here in 1849 - Source History in the Williams River Valley....

Tocal Homestead has one of Australia's finest collections of colonial farm buildings dating from the 1830's. The heritage site is open on Sunday from March to November. Its well worth the visit. The Homestead is set among magnificent fig trees and overlooks the Tocal lagoon, with the Paterson River beyond. Built in 1840 as a country retreat for Felix Wilson, the house is only one of the fascinating buildings on this site which illustrate the changes in the land use at Tocal since 1822. Farm tours provide an opportunity to experience this beautiful property. The tour includes the beef, horse, dairy and sheep enterprises as well as the natural features of the historic landscape. Tocal is a working farm so visitors are able to view the seasonal activities of the farm operations. ...

Seaham Swamp Bird Hide is a haven for birdwatching. Visit this great Seaham attraction to see a variety of Hunter region waterfowl, both out in the swamp and sheltering in the hide. Located in a small wetland reserve adjacent to Seaham village, this all-weather bird hide allows you to watch from a platform, ensuring you get great views and photos of the birds without disturbing them. Check out the surrounding signage with interesting information on the birds of Seaham Swamp or stop at one of the picnic tables for a snack amidst imposing rough-trunked ironbark trees. For another view of the swamp try stretching your legs along Seaham Swamp walk....