WHAT TO DO

On the list of one of the many “BIG” things found in Australia. The Kookaburra is a native Australian bird found in Kurri Kurri. The kookaburra appears in every one of a series of murals and is also used as a mascot for many community and sports groups.

Standing at almost 5 metres tall, the statue was erected in late 2009 to mark Hydro Aluminium’s 40th year in the area. Created by Chris Fussell, the combined Big Kookaburra can be found in Col Brown Rotary Park at the centre of the town.

The annual Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival is all about Rock n Roll, Classic Cars, Hot rods, Fashion, Music, Dancing and everything good about the 50’s and 60’s.

First held in 2004, the festival has established itself as one of the Hunter’s premier festivals, featuring all things rock n roll, cars, music, fashion and dancing.

Held annually on the last weekend in March, the festival attracts crowds of people to our town, making it one of the largest festivals of its kind in Australia and a feature tourism event.

There’s a classic car and hot rod ‘Show and Shine’, a huge range of quality retro market stalls and food vans, lots of free entertainment, rock n roll dance demonstrations, main stage performances, feature bands, fashion parades, best-dressed competitions, side show alley and much more. Plus nightly events with lots of great ‘rock n roll’ and ‘rockabilly’ dances at local venues.

The Museum is located in an attractive bushland setting off Leggetts Drive Richmond vale, approximately 4km south of the Hunter valley township of Kurri Kurri. It is the only operating heritage railway north of the Hawkesbury. The museum is a family-friendly location. In addition to the historical displays, the site offers the following attractions:

• Unlimited full-sized train rides
• Miniature train rides
• Child-accessible signalling activity
• Historic films in the mining museum
• Picnic tables
• Canteen
• Souvenir shop

Relax in one of our many family-friendly parks, bring your own picnic and let the kids have fun. or enjoy the natural beauty of the area on one of our bush walks.

Col Brown Rotary park is located on the main street of Kurri Kurri providing a picnic and rest area for visitors and a starting point for mural tours. Col Brown Rotary park is also the location for the Big Kookaburra and the community Wall.

Peace park at Weston is a popular spot for families with picnic facilities, barbecues, playground, toilets, walking and bike tracks and plenty of car parking.

Log of Knowledge Park at Pelaw Main has a children’s playground, picnic facilities and visitor information.

Kurri Kurri Heritage and Naturewalk — Explore the town and natural bushland areas with the Kurri Kurri Heritage and Nature walk, which highlights several historical buildings along Lang Street, Rotary Park, Log of Knowledge Park and a beautiful bushland walk along the old Richmond Vale Railway.

Kookaburra walk starts from Log of Knowledge Park in Pelaw Main. Werakata National park has great cycling and walking trails and in spring they’re lined with purple, orange and yellow wildflowers, like acacias and banksias.

Bring some local Hunter Valley produce to the park and set up at a pretty AStills picnic area. Then cycle along Deadmans mountain bike loop or AStills trail, which are easy, flat and suitable for any fitness level.

Birdwatchers who come to Werakata are never disappointed; the abundance of food in the park attracts the likes of the threatened swift parrot or regent honeyeater as well as several species of robin.