Free camping is available at Chichester State Forest, near Dungog. Photo: NSW State Forests.
NSW State Forests are open for free, pet‑friendly camping from the coast to the high country. There are almost 500 State Forests and many offer camping facilities where dogs, under their owner’s control, are welcome. Campfires are also permitted, outside of fire bans. “State Forests are a fabulous resource for the community,” Manager Tourism and […]
Georgie, Indie, Mila, Alice and Harper enjoyed a night of wholesome family fun. Photo: KPA. Indie and Georgie got their order in for Christmas Day. Photo: KPA. Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage came from across the bay. Photo: KPA. THE Karuah community came together for a special night of carol singing and festive fun at […]
LEGAL Aid NSW is urging anyone impacted by the recent bushfires in the Central Coast, Mid North Coast, Upper Hunter and Central West NSW to seek free legal help early. The Legal Aid NSW Disaster Response Legal Service (DRLS) can advise people about issues relating to insurance claims, tenancy rights, accessing disaster grants and payments, […]
Santa with David, Lisa and Alex from the Pindimar/Tea Gardens RFS Brigade just before his Christmas Eve run. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
SANTA Claus is gearing up for another busy Christmas Eve, including several major local appearances on and in the lead-up to his big day. News Of The Area has scored a rare opportunity to speak with the jolly elf in between engagements. “I originally took this job, several centuries ago, because I love spreading joy […]
The choir in full voice.
MEDOWIE Christian School students have brought the Christmas spirit to the community a little earlier this year, warming hearts and brightening days with performances at two local aged care facilities. The school’s talented choir and dance group visited residents at Raymond Terrace Opal Gardens and Hawks Nest Peter Sinclair RSL Lifecare Nursing Homes, delivering heartfelt […]
Port Stephens oysters are the best.
HERE is something different for Christmas, an oyster recipe given to me by my old friend Margaret Woods. If you love oysters, you will find more of her oyster recipes in one of my books, “Oysterman”, which is available around town. Mambo Oyster Soup Ingredients: – 2 dozen oysters – 2 tablespoons of cornflour – […]
TRANSPORT for NSW is encouraging motorists travelling on the Pacific Highway through Hexham to plan their trip and allow extra travel time during the Christmas New Year period, with high traffic volumes and delays expected. The M1 Pacific Motorway at Beresfield and the Pacific Highway at Hexham are linked via John Renshaw Drive and the […]
MIDCOAST Council says rangers will be “out in force” during the holiday period, with a focus on illegal parking, driving on beaches without a permit, illegal camping and rubbish dumping. “While we want to welcome visitors, we also have a responsibility to our local communities and our environment,” said Director of Liveable Communities, Paul De […]
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with workers at the Tomago smelter.
MORE than 1000 jobs at a troubled aluminium smelter are secure after the federal government confirmed it would keep the site running with taxpayer support. Rio Tinto, majority owner of the massive Tomago smelter, had for months been threatening to shut down the plant due to spiralling energy costs after 2028, when its electricity contract […]
Stockton Beach bream.
THIS Christmas give rock fishing a miss and concentrate your efforts on the beach. Family-friendly, the local beaches have loaded up with cracker whiting and thumping big snowy white bream. Unlike their cousins that live in the estuary, beach bream are broad shouldered and pearly white. In the kitchen the beach bream can be filleted […]
