Stockton is being discovered as a place that holds many special and often unknown activities that are family friendly, cheap, historic and healthy. The Stockton Walk is another great example of the little known treasures of Stockton.
About five years ago the Newcastle City Council started planning a walkway that stretches from the Stockton Ferry Terminal to Fern Bay.
The path follows the Hunter River along what is locally known as The Ballast Ground. The Ballast has an intriguing history of its own. When sailing ships would travel to Newcastle to load up with coal, they would bring rocks with them from home ports across the globe. These rocks would stabilize the ships on their long voyages, to be replaced with Newcastle Coal for the return trips.
These rocks were deposited on the western edge of the Stockton peninsula. Over many years the width of Stockton has almost doubled in sections due to the ballast being deposited.
The concrete path is great for walkers, joggers or bike riders. It takes in sites like the old PUNT WHARF. Punts or car ferry's were common site on Newcastle's Harbour, ferrying motor vehicles from Stockton to Newcastle before 1971 when the Stockton Bridge was opened.
Another great site is the Stockton Prawners Club. The historic club of fisherman who trawl the Hunter River for prawns for those Prawn Cocktails we all enjoy when going out to dinner.
You will also be amazed at how many ships are wrecked and washed up on the ballast areas of Stockton.
It takes about an hour or so for fit walkers so leave plenty of time. If you're not keen to walk there and back, have a friend drop you and the kids off at the ferry wharf and pick you up at the Stockton Bridge.
Enjoy a great activity with the kids, take your push bikes and really enjoy a family fun day out.
