Tomaree Headland Friends

24/08/2025

🌟𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲 🌟

Our community’s ideas and input have helped shape the future of Tomaree Lodge — and now the first concepts are ready to be revealed!

Kate Washington MP is hosting a community info session where you’ll get the first look at these exciting plans. This is the next step in securing a bright future for one of Port Stephens’ most iconic sites.

🗓 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟮𝟳 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁
⏰ 𝟱:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺
📍 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯
✉️ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲@𝗱𝗰𝗷.𝗻𝘀𝘄.𝗴𝗼𝘃.𝗮𝘂

👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to see what’s ahead for Tomaree Lodge.

Business Port Stephens Kate Washington MP Port Stephens Council Leah Anderson - Mayor of Port Stephens Imagine Cruises - Port Stephens Shoal Bay Country Club

🌟 Tomaree Lodge - community update 🌟

I’m excited to be hosting a community info session on the future of Tomaree Lodge next week.

We’ll be unveiling the preliminary concepts for one of Port Stephens' most iconic locations and we want your feedback!

So come along and get your first look at the exciting possibilities for the future of this very special site

It’s on Wednesday, 27 August from 5.30pm at Nelson Bay Bowling Club - register via email at [email protected]

(Hot tip! It’s staying in public hands for the benefit of our community and visitors for generations to come 🤩)

19/08/2025

🌄 𝟲,𝟴𝟰𝟴 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 – 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 🌿

Since we shared 89-year-old local identity 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, his video has now reached over 𝟲,𝟴𝟰𝟴 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀. Clearly, accessibility at Tomaree is an issue our community cares deeply about.

From the 𝗵𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 we’ve received so far, here’s what we’ve heard:

✨ 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 – many believe our older residents, visitors, and those with mobility challenges should have the chance to experience Tomaree’s incredible views and military heritage.

🌳 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 – others strongly oppose a cable car, citing the risk of scarring the mountain, tree removal, rubbish, and losing the natural “reward” of the climb.

🚗 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 – limited parking at the base and top of Tomaree was raised again and again, with some suggesting offsite parking and shuttles would be essential.

💡 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 – Gan Gan Lookout has been repeatedly suggested as a more practical location for investment, already vehicle and wheelchair accessible with panoramic views.

💰 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 & 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 – many questioned whether Council could afford such a project, raising ongoing maintenance costs, while others suggested a user-pays model or tourism funding.

It’s important to note that both 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗦𝗪 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 at Tomaree. The question is how we achieve this while balancing inclusivity, heritage, and environmental care.

What’s clear is that the community is 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲. While some see a cable car as a path to inclusivity and tourism growth, others see it as unnecessary and harmful to Tomaree’s natural values.

This conversation isn’t just about infrastructure – it’s about 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

👉 What do you think: should investment focus on Tomaree itself, or alternatives like Gan Gan Lookout?
👉 How do we ensure inclusivity without compromising the natural and historic values of the Headland?
👉 Is there a “middle ground” solution that balances access and protection?

Your voice matters – and your engagement is shaping this important conversation for our region. 💬

Port Stephens Examiner NBN Television Adam Murray - NBN News
Business Port Stephens Port Stephens Council Port Stephens News Of The Area Kate Washington MP Leah Anderson - Mayor of Port Stephens Mark Watson - Port Stephens Councillor Roz Armstrong Port Stephens Councillor Nathan Errington - Councillor for East Ward, Port Stephens NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Moonshadow - TQC Cruises Imagine Cruises - Port Stephens Shoal Bay Country Club Port Stephens Meryl Swanson MP

17/08/2025

🌄 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 🌿

Every year, thousands of people make the climb to the top of Tomaree Headland — to soak in those world-class views that take your breath away. But for many, including our older community members and those who experience difficulties walking, that climb is simply out of reach.

Meet 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱, a much-loved local identity. At 89 years young, David has lived a life full of travel and adventure. David would also love to experience the summit himself — but like so many others, the current access makes it impossible.

It’s not only the summit views — access to the 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲 is also difficult for older visitors and those with mobility challenges. These stories form such an important part of our heritage, and they too deserve to be experienced by everyone.

This raises an important conversation: 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹? Should ideas such as a cable car be 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲? Could we balance accessibility, heritage protection, and environmental care while opening Tomaree to those who can’t currently enjoy it?

We’d love to hear your thoughts 👇
✅ How important is inclusivity at Tomaree?
✅ Should future solutions like a cable car be part of the discussion?
✅ How can we protect the environment while making this special place more accessible?

Tomaree is for everyone. Let’s start the conversation. 💬

🎥 Dive into David’s video below to hear more of his story.
https://www.facebook.com/100057858631396/videos/939837041640215

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Destination NSW Kate Washington MP Leah Anderson - Mayor of Port Stephens Mark Watson - Port Stephens Councillor Nathan Errington - Councillor for East Ward, Port Stephens Business Port Stephens Port Stephens Council Ben Niland - Port Stephens Councillor Roz Armstrong Port Stephens Councillor Imagine Cruises - Port Stephens

17/08/2025

Meet David Redwood, a much-loved local identity, and find out why he thinks a cable car or something similar would be a great idea for the Tomaree Headland.

12/08/2025

🚶‍♀️ 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 – 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 ❤️

If you’ve ever climbed 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲, you’ll know why it’s the most popular visitor attraction in Port Stephens – and the tallest climb! On busy days, more than 𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 take on the trek (we’ve joked we might need traffic lights one day! 🚦).

While there hasn’t been a high number of recorded heart-related incidents on the mountain, 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. That’s why the Tomaree Headland Heritage Group has been proud to work with 𝗡𝗦𝗪 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 & 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 over the past few years to install a 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 at the summit.

Mount Tomaree isn’t just for tourists – locals of all ages, including many mature-aged fitness enthusiasts, use it as their training ground. We want to make sure everyone, from first-time visitors to seasoned climbers, can enjoy the climb with peace of mind.

This is also about 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 for older people and ensuring visitors can safely explore the 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – known during WWII as 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲 – including its fascinating military history.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.
See you on the mountain! 🏞️

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Port Stephens Examiner Port Stephens News Of The Area Business Port Stephens Port Stephens Council Leah Anderson - Mayor of Port Stephens Mark Watson - Port Stephens Councillor Kate Washington MP Nathan Errington - Councillor for East Ward, Port Stephens Roz Armstrong Port Stephens Councillor Shoal Bay Country Club Port Stephens

10/08/2025

💙 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 = 𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 💙
Tomaree Headland’s future depends on all of us.
For just Single $15 Family $25 and Business $75, you can help protect its history, beauty, and community access.

📢𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲e — and right now, we need every voice we can get.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻?
• Keep our group active and our voice strong 💪
• Protect heritage and community access
• Show decision-makers we care
• Support events, storytelling, and history

📌 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱.
https://www.tomareeheadlandportstephens.com.au/

06/08/2025

"𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲"
🚗 Longtime local Martin Buggy shares his thoughts on the parking crunch at Tomaree Headland — and why it's time for smart, community-led solutions before next summer hits. 👇

04/08/2025

🎥 "It’s not just history — it’s our future."
Martin Buggy has called Port Stephens home for decades. He’s seen its beauty, its challenges, and its potential.

Now, with $4.6 million on the table for the Tomaree Lodge site, Martin shares why this moment matters — and how we can shape a future that honours our past and serves our community.

Let’s make this funding count. For all of us.

Kate Washington MP Leah Anderson - Mayor of Port Stephens Port Stephens Council Mark Watson - Port Stephens Councillor Nathan Errington - Councillor for East Ward, Port Stephens Roz Armstrong Port Stephens Councillor Imagine Cruises - Port Stephens Shoal Bay Country Club Business Port Stephens

31/07/2025

🇦🇺💛 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲! 💛🇦🇺

After 25 years in Australia, Henk and Agnes have officially received their Permanent Residency today — and we couldn’t be more thrilled for them!

Since arriving in 1999, Henk has been a tireless volunteer and community champion, lending his time and talents to:

✅ Rotary Club of Nelson Bay
✅ Nelson Bay Australia Day Committee
✅ Business Port Stephens
✅ Tomaree Community College
✅ Tomaree Headland Heritage Group

He’s also been a passionate supporter of events like Tastes of the Bay, the Bluewater Country Music Festival, and Business Port Stephens’ quarterly breakfasts — all while volunteering every step of the way.

We are so lucky to have Henk and Agnes as part of our community. Their love for this country is undeniable, and now we look forward to the next exciting step — seeing them become Australian Citizens!

Please join us in congratulating them on this long-awaited and well-deserved milestone. 🇦🇺

Business Port Stephens Port Stephens News Of The Area Mark Watson - Port Stephens Councillor Kate Washington MP Leah Anderson - Mayor of Port Stephens Roz Armstrong Port Stephens Councillor Nathan Errington - Councillor for East Ward, Port Stephens Henk Tobbe Meryl Swanson MP

29/07/2025

💰 $𝟰.𝟲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗱𝗴𝗲 — 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗱 💬

We asked, and wow — did you answer! 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 rolled in after our recent post about the $4.6 million in state funding to improve the Tomaree Lodge site.

Your ideas were thoughtful, passionate, and full of local insight — from ocean baths and walking trails to preserving natural beauty and improving access for all. 🙌

We’re incredibly grateful for the time so many of you took to share your thoughts. To honour that, we’ve put together a chart that shows the most common priorities and concerns shared by the community. Take a look below and see how your voice fits into the bigger picture.

📣 We'll be sharing this summary with Council and State representatives — because the best outcomes happen when the community leads the conversation.



Business Port Stephens Kate Washington MP Leah Anderson - Mayor of Port Stephens Mark Watson - Port Stephens Councillor Roz Armstrong Port Stephens Councillor Nathan Errington - Councillor for East Ward, Port Stephens Shoal Bay Country Club Ramada Resort Shoal Bay Port Stephens News Of The Area NBN Television Adam Murray - NBN News Imagine Cruises - Port Stephens Mel Turner Port Stephens What's On In Our Backyard: Port Stephens NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Tomaree Museum Moonshadow - TQC Cruises The Original Tea Gardens Ferry Y-Knot Cruises Port Stephens

24/07/2025

🔧 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 🛠️

Following the exciting announcement of $4.6 million in NSW State Government funding for Tomaree Lodge, Tomaree Headland Heritage Group wanted to recognise some of the less visible but vitally important improvements this funding could support.

While upgrades like murals or new event spaces may be more noticeable, a portion of the budget will also go towards essential behind-the-scenes improvements such as:
✅ On-site sewerage systems
✅ Safer and more accessible walkways
✅ Improved signage and wayfinding
✅ Addressing long-overdue safety concerns

These upgrades might not grab headlines – but they’re the foundation for a site that’s welcoming, safe and ready for future community use.

🙌 The Tomaree Headland Heritage Group strongly supports these initiatives and welcomes this funding as a clear sign of the Government’s commitment to transitioning Tomaree Lodge for public and recreational use.

The Tomaree Headland Heritage Group looks forward to the community enjoying meaningful benefits as the site’s future takes shape.

💬 We’ll continue to keep the community informed and involved as plans progress. Every step counts – and this is a big one in the right direction!


Port Stephens Council Leah Anderson - Mayor of Port Stephens Imagine Cruises - Port Stephens Shoal Bay Country Club Ramada by Wyndham