Set on the banks of the Hunter River to the north of Newcastle, Heatherbrae is a small town in the Hunter Region. It was traditionally home to the Worimi people and Indigenous cultural sites still scatter the area today. Five escaped convicts were the first Europeans to occupy the area before it was established as a wool-growing hub in the early 19th century.
Things to do in Heatherbrae
On the southern edge of Heatherbrae is the award-winning Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, which encompasses more than 130 hectares of natural bushland and landscaped gardens. It showcases Australian and exotic species, with the orchid houses being a particular highlight. Stretch your legs on one of the easy walking trails that wind through the grounds and keep your eyes peeled for goannas, wallabies and koalas.
Travelling with kids? They’ll enjoy a run around in Boomerang Park, which is located across the street from St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in the nearby town of Raymond Terrace. It occupies the site of a former quarry that provided a source of sandstone for many of the area’s buildings. In addition to a children’s playground, there is an “activity van” and an off-leash dog run.
Heatherbrae makes an ideal base for visiting Fighter World, an aviation heritage centre with an impressive collection of RAAF fighter aircraft. It occupies three hangars near the runway of the RAAF Base Williamtown, with highlights including a de Havilland Vampire and a Dassault Mirage III. Fighter World also displays an extensive collection of hand-made and painted aircraft models.
Getting around Heatherbrae
Heatherbrae is a 30-minute drive from Newcastle and 15 minutes from Newcastle Airport, which has flights to destinations across Australia. Buses travel through Heatherbrae while renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.