Maitland Bay, Bouddi National Park.

Maitland Bay can be found within Bouddi National Park, a bit less than 2 hours north of Sydney. Maitland Bay has its own Information Centre in a heritage listed building which was once the old Maitland Store and residence. It is open on weekends and public holidays from 11am to 3pm.

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife provided funds for the refurbishment of the Maitland Bay Information Centre. The new revamped Information Centre was opened on Saturday 18th February 2012. Read about it here.

This Centre provides interpretive material so that visitors can better appreciate the unique attractions of this beautiful coastal National Park and Marine Extension. A reception area and museum with interactive and informative displays helps to enrich visitors’ experiences of the area.

Gorgeous new displays at Maitland Bay Information Centre, 2012. Photo: Susanna Bradshaw.

The Information Centre aims to provide visitors with:

• Highlights of the Bouddi National Park,
• Information about the local plants and animals,
• Insight into the geology of the area,
• Appreciation of the Marine Extension,
• A sense of history about the park and the bay,
• And an understanding of the significance of the Bouddi National Park to Aboriginal people.

2010 Update

Susan Davis, Senior Ranger at the Bouddi National Park, let us know in late 2010 that the Centre upgrade is coming along well, slowly but surely. So far in the upstairs area, interactive sound equipment playing animal noises has been installed as well as lift up boxes, graphics and more.

Construction carries on for the downstairs area to house 3D displays and other interactive exhibits and information. Local artists are contributing to the Centre by donating works featuring vegetation types, rainforest, woodlands, heath and coastal areas. There will also be hand illustrations of animals found within the Bouddi National Park. The Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council has also been engaged in talks to assist with providing interpretive material for the Centre.

Definitely sounds like full steam ahead on the work at the Maitland Bay Information Centre!

2012 Update

Local volunteer artists Jim Doe and John Paff, with Terry Baily NPWS at the opening of the Maitland Bay Visitors Centre.

"On 18 February 2012, a crowd gathered to see the official opening of the refurbished Maitland Bay Information Centre. Terry Bailey, Director Coastal Branch, National Parks & Wildlife Service was delighted by the works," said Ms Susanna Bradshaw, Marketing Manager of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife, who attended.

"Since the 1940s, the building has been a home, a shop, an information centre, a community meeting place, and a focal point of environmental conservation activities. The Visitor Centre features artworks designed by Indigenous art teacher Maurice Goolagon and a large mural showing the flora, fauna and landscapes of Bouddi National Park contributed by local volunteer artists Jim Doe and John Paff," Ms Bradshaw said.

"The centre will continue to bring the local community together and provide visitors with the opportunity to see, hear and touch some of the natural wonders they can expect to find once they step into the magnificent Bouddi National Park," said Ms Bradshaw.

Find out about Maitland Bay walks by clicking the link.

Click the link to see a map of Maitland Bay within Bouddi.