View across Lake Macquarie looking towards Morisset

 

Morisset (including Sunshine, Dora Creek)
Medium-sized town servicing the south-western side of Lake Macquarie
Morisset is located on the south-western side of Lake Macquarie, 112 km north of Sydney via the Newcastle Freeway and 33 m above sea-level. With a population somewhere over 1500 it is the largest town on the south-western side of Lake Macquarie. Essentially a tourist town it also functions as the service centre to Cooranbong and the other small settlements along the Morisset peninsula. West of town are huge tracts of state forest. The electrification of the train line between Sydney and Newcastle, the construction of the F3 Freeway and the completion of the Eraring Power Station in 1984 have all contributed to the growth of the local economy.

In an area formerly occupied by the Awabakal people, the township of Newport (now known as Dora Creek, just north of Morisset) was established in 1840 on what had been Percy Simpson's Eraring Estate after the land was opened up for farming, grazing and timber. The developers hoped that a road from Gosford to Maitland would be built and that a punt service across the creek, the largest creek draining into Lake Macquarie, would attract settlers and business. However, by 1870, there were only a dozen families there, supporting a store and a school. The township was located at the junction of Dora Creek and Lake Macquarie and thus was essentially a port for the Cooranbong timber industry. A post office opened in 1885 but it caused confusion with Newport on the north shore of Sydney so the new office became Doree. When the railway arrived in 1887 the platform was called Dora Creek and the post office soon followed suit.

The creation of Morisset was very much a by-product of work on the Sydney - Newcastle railway line. In 1887, as the line neared completion, the future townsite was surveyed and allotments went on sale. The station was first called Cooranbong but quickly changed to Morisset, named in honour of Major James Thomas Morisset, commander of the penal settlement of Newcastle from 1817 to 1823 and later at Norfolk Island. A post office, school, Anglican church, library and school of arts were soon established. Employment, in the early days, was based largely around a sawmill with logs conveyed from a large area to the west of town. The railway caused a boom in the timber industry, by virtue of the demand it created for railway sleepers and the greater ease of delivery. However, the depression of the 1890s caused the industry to go into recession.

By 1909 the township's population reached 147. As a sign of its increasing importance to the district the police station was transferred from Cooranbong to Morisset in 1920.

A large psychiatric hospital was established in 1909 and, at its peak, housed 1600 patients, in poor conditions. Peter Kocan, who tried to assassinate the leader of the Australia Labor Party, Arthur Calwell, was committed to ten years at the asylum in 1966. He turned to a literary career after meeting poet Roland Robinson who lived at nearby Sunshine on the edge of Lake Macquarie. Kocan wrote poetry and two novels - The Treatment (1980) and The Cure (1983).

Things to see:  

Koolewong Coastal Ecotours
If you want to experience the local area accompanied by an expert local guide and are interested in the ecology, fauna and flora of the district then double click here and check out Koolewong Coastal Ecotours. Details of their tours are provided.

Koolewong Coastal Ecotours are conducted within the Brisbane Water and Bouddi National Parks on the NSW Central Coast. The trained Ecotour Guides have extensive local knowledge of the flora and fauna of the native bushland. Travellers are picked up from their Hotel from 8.30am and and are returned by around 5.30pm. Optional starting and return times can be booked where required.

 

Morisset Peninsula
Morisset is not a tourist town. There are few specific tourist attractions. However, it is a pleasant drive out along Morisset Peninsula. To get started, turn off Macquarie St (the main thoroughfare) into Fishery Point Rd but be careful as it is necessary to take a distinct left turn after about 2 km in order to continue along this road. The fringes of the promontory are residential but there is much bushland adjacent the roadway and a large camping reserve known as Sunshine Park at the eastern tip of the peninsula.

At the end of Fishery Point Rd the roadway split in a V shape with Sunshine Park in the middle of the V. If you take the right fork along Cessnock Rd it will lead you to the tiny Casuarina Point Reserve at Sunshine. There is a boat launching ramp, a swimming pool, and views north to the Wangi Wangi Peninsula and the stacks of Wangi Point Power Station, north-east to Pt Wolstoncroft with Pulbah Island offshore, south-east to Summerland Point and south to the stacks of Vales Point Power Station.

Just to the south is Fishery Point and to its west is Sugar Bay. Their names reflect the area's recent history. A man named Marshall who owned land in this area started a fish-curing operation, with the fish canned in tins made on the spot, then Marshall planted 60 acres of sugarcane around the bay. A processing mill with steam-driven crushers was set up but the property was destroyed by bushfire in 1875.

On the north-eastern tip of the peninsula is Shingle Splitters, the name serving as a reminder of the days when the timber industry was important. Some of the casuarinas they didn't cut down remain.

 

Morisset Hospital
Recent downsizing has dramatically affected the hospital which now welcomes visitors to its extensive and attractive grounds which is a pleasant picnic area. There are kangaroos and native birds to be seen. It is located to the south-east of Morisset township on the shores of Lake Macquarie. To get there head off Macquarie St into Fishery Point Rd. After 2 km, do not take the sharp left into the continuation of Fishery Point Rd but continue along what becomes Morisset Park Rd then take the first right.

 

Eraring Power Station
Eraring Power Station is located on Rocky Point Rd, Eraring, north of Morisset via Wangi Wangi Rd. Tours are by appointment, (02) 4973 2933.

 

State Forests
The area west of Morisset contains thirteen forests scattered throughout the Watagan Mountains. There are lookouts, camping and picnic areas, scenic drives, a dam, creeks, walking trails and forest parks. For further information see the entry on Cooranbong or contact the local office of the State Forests of NSW in Dora St, Morisset on (02) 4973 3733.

 

Wyee Ostrich Farm
Wyee Ostrich Farm is located south-east of Morisset. At the southern end of town turn into Wyee Rd. It is at number 32, just before the intersection with Rutleys Rd, contact (02) 4357 1344. There are guided tours of the avifauna and sales of leather products and eggs (both painted and unpainted). At this stage the tours are by appointment only and for groups, large or small. They cost $3 per person and there is morning or afternoon tea for an extra $2.50.

 

Shows and Tours
Morisset has the obligatory golf course (in Dora St) and it also hosts a spring show and craft fair in September and an agricultural show in February. The Morisset markets are held at the showground (Ourimbah St) on the first Saturday of each month.

Weejock Adventures offer full and half-day fishing charters and lake cruises, contact (018) 479 525. Hunter Waterways also operate cruises and charter services around the lake, including sightseeing tours and visits to Pulbah and Sand Island. They pick up from any public or private jetty.

 

 

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Morisset