NELSON BAY WALK

The "Nelson Bay walk" refers to a few different historical walks, most notably the Tomaree Coastal Walk, the Mariners Walk Heritage Trail, and the Fort Tomaree walk. The Tomaree Coastal Walk highlights Worimi Aboriginal culture and WWII military history, the Mariners Walk Heritage Trail focuses on Port Stephens' maritime history through signage and displays, and the Fort Tomaree walk leads to the historic WWII gun emplacements at Tomaree Head.
Key walks and their history
Tomaree Coastal Walk:
History: Connects to ancient routes used by the Worimi People, finishing at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place. It also features historical sites from the World War II era.
Highlights: Summiting Tomaree Head, the Worimi Conservation Lands with its large sand dunes, and various coastal and cultural sites.
Mariners Walk Heritage Trail:
History: Created by the Port Stephens Historical Society and Port Stephens Council to commemorate the history of Port Stephens' mariners.
Highlights: Interpretive displays and signage located along pathways that tell the story of the region's maritime past.
Fort Tomaree walk:
History: Leads to the historic World War II gun emplacements on Tomaree Head, which were part of Australia's coastal defence system.
Highlights: The walk takes you to the remains of the gun emplacements, and you can take a guided tour to learn more about this military history.
Other relevant history:
HMAS Assault: Port Stephens was a major training site for Allied troops during WWII, with over 20,000 soldiers stationed at HMAS Assault on Fly Point in Nelson Bay.
Point Stephens Lighthouse: Another significant historical site is the Point Stephens Lighthouse on Fingal Island, which has a long and captivating history.
Early settlement: The area's history dates back to the Worimi People and includes early European settlement, which developed around fishing and oyster farming.