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 […]

THE Hunter Region Botanic Gardens is bringing one of Australia’s most respected botanical minds to Newcastle next week, offering local gardeners, nature lovers and conservation enthusiasts the chance to hear first-hand from Professor Tim Entwisle AO. Professor Entwisle, whose career has taken him from researching freshwater algae to leading the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, […]

The development zone is a 7.7 hectares area close to the Medowie town centre. The latest concept plan for the future residential and commercial developments. Supplied: Medowie Precinct D Planning Proposal by Port Stephens Council. PLOTS of land near the Medowie Town Centre will be developed into a medium-density residential area which, according to Port […]

“I HAVE just returned from a fantastic overseas holiday where the weather was perfect and the fishing excellent. Magnificent scenery and a fascinating local history. Travel time by boat around about 40 minutes from the entrance to Port Stephens.  “Broughton Island is an absolute wonderland with high peaks rolling down to long golden beaches. The […]

A sensor camera captured an elusive phascogale as it moved across the area. Photo: Supplied. With their identifying bushy bottle-brush tail and heart-shaped ears, paired with big, dark eyes, the phascogale are perfectly adapted for their nocturnal, tree-dwelling lifestyle. Photo: Supplied. A BRUSH-tailed phascogale has been captured on motion-sensing cameras in Myall Lakes National Park […]

FUNDS raised in the latest edition of the Port Stephens Car Show will make all the difference in the fight against brain cancer. While brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children and adults under 40 in Australia, funding in the field remains shockingly lacking. According to Associate Professor Paul Tooney, Experimental […]

I AM continually amazed that so many residents of Port Stephens are yet to visit Broughton Island. I recently returned from a few days, fishing, swimming and wandering around the island, which I believe to be a ‘jewel in the crown’ of this beautiful region. Despite the many times I have visited the island and […]

UP&UP staff, students, and project partners posing in front of the mural. Photo: Nico Lombardo. During the 10-week workshop, students learned from scratch all the skills necessary to plan and paint the project. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Hunter Water provided the space for the mural. Photo: Nico Lombardo. A NEW, student-created mural has been unveiled on […]

FOLLOWING the outstanding success of its Valerie Taylor exhibition, which attracted more than 4500 visitors to the Tomaree Heritage Precinct, and the recent ANZAC exhibition at the Nelson Bay Visitor Information Centre, the Tomaree Museum Association (TMA) is preparing to launch its third major public exhibition for 2026. Opening in September, the exhibition will explore […]

From left to right: Lions Club members Pat Gaffney, Tilligery; Tanya Roy, Soldiers Point; Denise Bruce, Gloucester; Alec Bruce, Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Fund; and Brad Rostron and Kim Wright, Soldiers Point; with Elsie. Photos: Supplied. Elsie on her race runner. SIX-YEAR-old Elsie couldn’t stop smiling as she climbed onto her new Race Runner for […]