PORT Stephens Council will seek an ECO Destination Certification for the LGA, in a move that could increase the appeal of the region while protecting the environment. ECO Destination Certification is an internationally certified program that signals, through an independent assessment, that a destination is following the best practices in sustainable tourism. Port Stephens attracts […]

Representing The Original Tea Gardens Ferry at the awards were, from left to right, Club Foster sponsor with Marketing Manager Wendy Dupont and Club Foster sponsor with Operations Manager Trevor Weaver. Photo: The Original Tea Gardens Ferry. “Kerrie from the ferry” in owner-operator mode aboard The Original Tea Gardens Ferry. Photo: Wendy Dupost. Ferry passengers […]

The Outerlight as it was from 1865. The Fingal Spit was created by a huge sea in 1898. THE MAITLAND GALE 1898 – A Major Event KEEPERS and their families who manned the Port Stephens Outer Light lived a Spartan lifestyle which, for them, became increasingly difficult when in 1891 a mighty sea, referred to […]

SINCE the May 2025 flood, MidCoast Council has completed $42 million worth of emergency and immediate repair work, with a large quantity of reconstruction work now in the pipeline. With the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) having now assessed most of Council’s funding submissions for emergency works, the focus is now moving to Essential Public Asset […]

LIVING in tranquil Fingal Bay, surrounded by incredible natural beauty, it is difficult to visualise the area as a centre of great volcanic activity, bubbling and hissing lava, heaving earth movement and giant blocks tumbling into the sea. In the time of great change the islands off our coastline were part of the mainland. When […]

Karuah Affiliate members enjoying the celebrations Karuah is well-known as a ‘lively’ branch. Karuah RSL President Scott Beaumont addresses the gathering. Karuah RSL sub-Branch has a wide range of weapons and wartime memorabilia. Cutting the celebratory cake. The cake is surrounded by memorabilia, including the Vietnam War bayonet used to cut it. Photos courtesy of […]

THE NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has issued a Special Order for all vessels to stay at least 500 metres, and swimmers 100m, away from all Southern Right Whales in NSW waters. The Order will be in place until 30 November 2026 when the breeding and calving season ends in NSW. Southern Right […]

REGIONAL and remote communities across NSW are set to benefit from a major boost in access to government services, with new Service NSW Mobile Service Centres hitting the road this month. Four tough new four-wheel-drive single-cab utes will replace the existing Mobile Service Centres, which have reached their end of life after covering more than […]

AUTHORITIES  have called for calm after Australia’s sixth bird flu case was confirmed at Hawks Nest, with thousands of department staff deployed to the coastline. Authorities insist there’s no bird flu crisis and no need to panic, despite a growing number of birds testing positive to the deadly virus along the Australian coastline. Poultry farms […]

PROBUS members were guided on their tour of the new airport by Paul McFarlane. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. MEMBERS of Hawks Nest PROBUS Club were recently treated to a rare glimpse into international aviation with special tours of Newcastle Airport. Paul McFarlane, head of airport, led the tour. Mr McFarlane was the head of airport security […]