Mondo

Jerseyville is home to many of the areas commercial fishermen, who tie up their boats on a purpose built wharf on the southern side of the Jerseyville Bridge. The homes here are modest but well cared for, with pretty gardens. The local fish co-op is here as well, the best place to buy fresh fish and prawns.

Back in the day, there was a manually operated ‘punt’ that carried cars across the Macleay River. A toot of your horn stirred the ferrymaster into action. Nowadays cars cross the river by bridge at either Gladstone or Jerseyville. The village of Kinchela is all but closed up shop now, even the road to South West Rocks skirts behind it. It is surrounded by lush pastures and pretty homesteads. Bennelong’s Haven, a rehabilitation for indigenous Australians, is in Kinchela.

Gladstone is one of those towns that was central to the local community back when communications and roads were minimal, and private cars rare. Now the road between South West Rocks and Kempsey travels behind the main village, but it is well worth turning off to relax by the river. There are some beautifully restored buildings, grand old homes, impressive cafes, antique stores, and a great counter lunch is to be had at the Gladstone Hotel.

Smithtown, on the opposite side to the Macleay River to Gladstone, is a town of more modest homes, many of which have been raised above flood level. There is a great hotel on the riverside, and an interesting second-hand/antique rambling shop. The main reason for the village’s existence was the construction of a Nestle factory there.

Sitting on the outskirts of the mid-north coast town of Kempsey, Aldavilla was originally best known as the site of the local aerodrome. This is no longer used for commercial flights however, and the housing in the area has increased. More recently Aldavilla has become the home of the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre – locally known as the Kempsey Gaol!

West Kempsey, as well as being home to many residents, is also the location of the Kempsey Shire Council buildings, including the Council Chambers and Library. The Kempsey Railway Station is also located here. Travellers would pass through West Kempsey if they are Armidale-bound. There are some very nice old homes here, with lovingly cared for gardens.

The Pacific Highway runs through South Kempsey before getting to the main town. The homes here sprang up along this main road and fanned off as access roads improved. South Kempsey is home to the town’s light industrial area, the workplace of many residents. The Kempsey Golf Course is also here, along with car yards, motels, petrol stations and the Visitor Information Centre.

Ardross was first developed in the post-WW2 era, and pleasant homes on large blocks were built. Over the years, the original families have moved on and many of the original homes, some with water views of the Swan River, have been replaced with large, modern, personality-less buildings. Located conveniently between Applecross (great speciality shops, cafes, restaurants) and Garden City (shopping megamall, supermarkets, movies), it is still a perfect family suburb, albeit with a hefty price tag.

Mt Pleasant is one of those suburbs where the world seems to pass you by as you sit perched above it all. On a gently sloping hill are some very lovely homes, with stunning well-designed gardens. Their outlook over a quieter section of the Swan River enhances the peacefulness of the area, which is only slightly shaken on weekends when picnickers and boaters come to enjoy the waterfront.

The hills around the mining town of Queenstown have been often described as a lunar landscape, and this is still true. The originally timbered hills were denuded by mining companies which needed timber to fuel their plants. This, combined with devastating fires and high rainfall, washed much of the topsoil off the hills. Revegetation attempts are being met with some success, and returning visitors of 30 years ago will certainly notice the change. Housing in the town is typical of a mining town. Transient populating and uncertainty of employment at the Mt Lyell Mine means little is done to beautify the homes or gardens. There is an excellent mining museum in town, and this is also where one can board the ABT Western Wilderness Railway for a ride to Strahan. When accommodation is full in Strahan (for the Gordon River Cruises), Queenstown takes the overflow, or those wishing to have a cheaper option.

The small community of Derwent Bridge deserves its place on the map with the relatively new attraction, the Wall In The Wilderness. If the art of wood carving, and the history of Tasmania are of interest, then a stop here will blow your mind. Inside purpose-built buildings, a local woodcarver is carving 3 metre high panels of stories depicting the early days of the area, timber felling, the hydro, farming etc. The detail, down to the veins in the hands of the people depicted, is amazing. Also in town is the Derwent Bridge Bridge Hotel, an impressive ski-lodge type hotel with comforting open fires blazing on cooler days. This is a much better eating option to the cafe at nearby Lake St Clair, which is poor quality and overpriced, and full of tourists!!

New Norfolk was established to house convicts transferred from Norfolk Island – hence the name. It is less than an hour out of Hobart, and for travellers heading to the Wilderness areas, it is well worth pulling off the main road to take a look. The oldest Anglican Church in Tasmania is here, along with a hotel that boasts that Dame Nellie Melba staged an impromptu concert from the balcony on day, for the residents! There are some quaint bed and breakfasts here, and the homes are delightful, with lots of rose gardens. New Norfolk is also home to the innovative nursing home, built in the style of an Oast House, familiar landmarks in the near countryside.

The stunningly beautiful town of Richmond is a popular weekend day trip for Hobart residents. It’s craft and woodwork shops are fantastic if you are looking for truly original handiwork of local craftspeople, and the sweet shop, bakery, and ice cream shops – well, need I say more? Richmond boasts the oldest bridge in Tasmania (1832?) and the oldest Catholic church, which is, of course, perched high on a hill overlooking the town. Here is a great photo tip: on the riverbank on the town side, there is a little walkway, and if you go there and crouch down it is possible to get a photo of the bridge framing the church beyond – magic!

When you approach Hobart from the South, coming off the Tasman Bridge you are greeted with the Queens Domain, and beautiful undeveloped area of the city, and a mecca for botanists. That’s because it is the home of the Royal Botanical Gardens, with its stunning display of native and international plants and trees. It’s Antarctic exhibit is a must-see. The main entrance to the gardens is through impressive gates at Lower Domain Road, although there is another gate near the car park just off the Domain Highway.

The suburb is named for the hill (technically not a mountain) on which it sits. Just about every home here dates post 1967, when a catastrophic bushfire ripped through the area, destroying everything in its wake. The homes are pleasant, yet modest. The suburb is just 15 minutes from downtown Hobart, and many visitors travel up Nelson Road to take in the magnificent view from the Signal Station – truly breathtaking vista of Hobart and the Derwent. This is a much less treacherous drive that that up to Mt Wellington. Mt Nelson is home to a primary school and Hobart College, from which Princess Mary of Denmark graduated.

Sandy Bay is one of the more salubrious areas of Hobart, and is home to the first legal casino in Australia, Wrest Point Casino. As well, the suburb has beautiful homes with fantastic views over the Derwent River, several marinas, parks, the Olinda Gray sports fields, and a great shopping centre. Its main road, Sandy Bay Drive, is busy, but a nice drive along the foreshore.

Battery Point is full of older style homes and terraced houses, sitting prettily on the narrow streets typical of the days when the suburb was established. The suburb flows from Sandy Bay Road downhill to the banks of the Derwent. Because of its proximity to the city, homes here are very expensive, and in constant demand. The grander homes on the waterfront boast uninterrupted river views and parklike grounds.

It’s location about 2 hours north of Sydney makes Heatherbrae a popular Stop Revive Survive spot for travellers heading north. The usual fast food outlets are along this section of the Pacific Highway, along with the yummy Heatherbrae Pies. Other businesses include boat, caravan and car sales yards and motels. Not a lot of homes on the eastern side of the highway, but some pleasant ones on the western side.

Karuah is a very pretty country town perched on the Karuah River north of Newcastle. Often considered by travellers as a bottleneck on the Pacific Highway, a bypass road has now done away with this frustration. The town serves the local community and holiday-makers, and has a country club, hotel, service stations, cafes, seafood shops and recreational supply stores.

Nabiac, situated north of Bulladelah on the Pacific Highway, is a popular place for highway travellers to break their journey – at the moment. A bypass is being constructed that will bypass the town, bringing the death knell to many businesses. The town services the wider rural community, but roads and transport improvements see residents travelling to major towns now to do their major shopping.