Karuah

I remember years ago when we used to drive through Karuah while travelling up the coast of NSW along the Pacific Highway. The highway now bypasses the town but recently we decided to take the detour through Karuah and stay for a few days at the BIG4 Karuah Jetty Holiday Park.  Karuah sits on the banks of the Karuah River and Port Stephens - a large oyster growing region and great fishing location.

This BIG4 caravan park is a popular weekend destination about 45 minutes from Newcastle, short drive from Maitland, the Hunter valley and only about two hours from Sydney.  There are a few coffee shops in town, a small but well stocked IGA,  service station, baker, butcher, RSL Club and seafood outlets - all you need for an enjoyable few days.

While in town we:

• enjoyed coffee and a great burger from Munchies Café and Takeaway which is located on the corner diagonally opposite the RSL Club. The meat patties are made by the local butcher - Yum
• purchased great bacon and local Macadamia Oil from Karuah Quality Meat (for the Oysters Kilpatrick)
• Bread from the baker
• Oysters from Cole Bros Oysters - outlet on the water near Longworth Park (to go with the bacon)
• Visited the Karuah RSL Club (who provide a local courtesy bus) and enjoyed delicious Chinese - highly recommend the homemade dim sims
• spent a day at the Karuah Oyster and Timber Festival
• Relaxed in the great facilities at the BIG4 Karuah Jetty Holiday Park.

As mentioned above we were visiting Karuah during the Oyster and Timber Festival which is a very popular community event held annually on the banks of the Karuah River (Longworth Park). The day was full of activities starting with a Children's Fishing Competition and finishing with the finals of the wood chopping held inside the RSL Club. 

The Wood Chopping competition starts each heat with a timed handicap system and some of these events featured the Australian Champion – Amazing skills. During the day they hold a series of Oyster Eating heats where each competitor is required to consume 1 dozen oysters as quickly as possible.  The winner of each heat progresses to the final where they eat 2 dozen oysters.  We spoke to one of the major sponsors (Cole Bros Oysters) who informed us that they would sell about 1,000 dozen oysters on the day - Wow.  The day also included a Zumba demonstration and display of historical cars with a number of clubs visiting the festival.  Don't miss the River Duck Race where you buy a duck, and, at an allocated time they are released from a boat on the river.  First one to be carried by the tide or wind past the finish line wins.

The Oyster and Timber Festival has a range of market stalls including a number of great food outlets including stalls from the local school and pre-school raising funds.  Our food highlights were a wonderful gluten free chocolate, nut slice from Karuah School Stall and a wonderful burger from Lions Club. 

We enjoyed our visit to Karuah and hope to return again soon.