timbertown wauchope

Sat outside for half hour deciding weather to go in nothing there to entice You in looks run down however We did go in & was disappointed could not see into some buildings it was to dark & when You could in it was dirty & a lot of droppings needs a large injection of CASH it is a great place & should be preserved

We visited in February the quietest month of the year and just after some very heavy rain. With the numbers of visitors at the lowest it is understandable that some things are not working. We still enjoyed walking the old streets and viewing the displays. Entry for Seniors was $17.50 which we felt was fine especially when you get a fun train ride, a horse and wagon ride plus watch the very informative and entertaining bullock driver. Sad to think bullock driving is a dying art and there isn't anyone following in this mans steps. Bullock teams were such an important part of our country's history as they were used for much more than just moving logs. Craig is doing a great job of keeping alive and showing young people part of our history. He also drove the horse and cart too. You can also sample wine. We visited many of the old buildings with their displays and found the steam driven sawmill very interesting. The ice cream parlour had 22 different flavours and lots of lollies for the children.We thought it was worth the trip and you would need at least three hours minimum to see the facility. The black smith was on holiday but we know he must need one some time during his busy year so maybe we will see him next time.

How great is was to see bullock teams - something you don't see very often - a dying art. We loved seeing the steam driven saw mill and the many buildings from the 1800s. The staff were very friendly especially the bullocky Craig - what a gem. We spent more than 3 hours there and could have spent more time. Even though it was the quiet season, we were quite happy with what we saw

We returned to Timbertown after having taken the kids there about 20 years ago. Sadly, it is a little neglected and run down now compared to its heyday, but still worth a visit. Allow at least 3 hours if you want to see and experience everything, even if it is running in non-holiday time mode when many attractions are not running. Do not miss the bullock team demonstration as this is the highlight.

We paid for the family pass at $72 which got us a entry plus a train ride, horse and carriage ride and miniature train ride. We got there with a little under 2 hours to spare before they closed at 4pm (which we thought was a bit early), the miniature train wasn't operating, many of the displays were closed, and it seemed a little understaffed.In spite of this and the rain, we still had a fun time panning for gold, looking through the old town, and the kids LOVED the train and the horse and carriage ride. The staff were all very relaxed and friendly, and we wished we had made more time for it.If everything had been operational (and not closing/closed when we arrived), then the entry price might have been worth it, but I estimate we saw half of what was (presumably) usually in operation. Maybe a discounted rate for entry after 2pm, or on the quiet days would be in order?In any case I think we'll probably visit again next time we're in Port Macquarie and allow 3-4 hours :)

Went here during our recent trip to Port Macquarie. The highlight is Craig and his bullock team demonstration. Something most school kids should see and hear about the relevant part of Australian history.The train was also old school, (i.e. very bumpy).Avoid the food. It is only fast food (pies, crumbed chicken etc) but was generally in eatable.Would only go for a couple of hours but would go just for the demonstration.

This is a wonderful opportunity to gain an insight into early Australian pioneers and the way they lived. This village is like Old Sydney Town or the Vintage Village at Forbes, both of which we have lost.There are a large number of old buildings and you can see how people lived and worked. Apart from the saw mill, there is a saddler, blacksmith, fire station, schoolroom etc. etc. You can watch the local wood turners create their masterpieces and buy them as souvenirs. Learn to crack a whip or watch a bullock team at work. Spend the day and enjoy a cheap wholesome meal in the café on site. A pie with mashed potatoes, peas and gravy only $10.Please visit this attraction when you travel up or down the coast. Only a few kms off the highway and it needs to get support or we will lose this one as well.

I lived in Port Macquarie for 2 years before I visited this amazing place. The reason it took me that long is that from the street this place looks run down and boring. If you can get past the dreadful facade, in fact, it is fantastic unique family entertainment. It is basically a living museum, similar to how Old Sydney Town was. Highlights are travelling around in a real steam-train, going in a traditional horse drawn cart, watching a blacksmith make things like horse shoes right in front of you and the fascinating bullock team and their brilliant bullock trainer. He is priceless. There is also one of those small sit-on trains that kids love. All the timber mill stuff is great too because you can get in amongst it all. The owners need to take a serious look at their marketing - starting with street appeal, or this absolute gem of an attraction will die a slow death because people like me won't realise what's there.

i went with my 9 year old daughter as she is very interested in history . What a wonderfully interesting place so much to see . The train ride was fantastic and was included in the admission price . It is reasonably priced for what you get . Before we knew it we had been there for 3 hours. Would love to come back and see it all over again

Yesterday 2/1/2015 we joined six other family members including our 15 month old grandson & drove the short distance to Wauchope. Granted, there is not as much happening as in days gone by but we had a wonderful time just the same.The staff were friendly and available for a chat & there were plenty of things to do. The steam train ride was the highlight & was included in the admission price as was the mini train ride & Clydesdale drawn carriage ride. Find a spot in the grandstand & watch a wonderful bullock team demonstration. Then learn how to crack a whip.We took a picnic & found a table along the main street & just soaked up the atmosphere. Without realising it a full 4 hours just slipped by & we would have stayed longer but the little one needed a sleep. The paths are not bitumen but on this dry day pushing the pram was not difficult. Go and see for yourself this wonderfull 'times gone by' attraction - there is something for everyone.

We are always interested in seeing places like this that show our history. The bullock demonstration was excellent and the presenter was knowledgable and passionate. There is a good working saw mill with the steam engines however sad there are no demonstrations or guides to fully explain. Food choices are very limited, with a canteen only selling limited lunch options. The steam train is good, would be better if you could do more than one ride if you wanted too. The gentleman at the gold panning was lovely and showed us enthusiastically how to pan for gold. However the rest of the place needs a good clean and restoration, very sad that a place that is important to our history has been left to get so run down. Has great potential to be a place to return to if fixed up and there are more presentations and working displays.

We first went to Wauchope on a rainy day and decided not to go into Timbertown until the weather was better. We went back on a dry day and was not disappointed. Although some of the buildings featuring displays require a good clean up the attractions are many. From the sawmill with a working steam traction engine, lots of steam traction engine stactic displays, miniature railway rides, blacksmiths, wine tasting, steam train rides, bullock team demos, horse drawn carriage rides,etc.

We had lasted visited about 20 years ago when this attraction was in its glory days. Sadly it has deteriorated since then, now with minimal staff and many buildings either unattended or empty. Hopefully things will improve as the place has so much potential to return to being the great Australian tourist attraction that it used to be. It’s certainly not a bad place to visit, however if you have been there in the past you will most likely now be disappointed. Minimal food choices available, and unless you are at the current scheduled demonstration activity, not much else is happening.

It is a shame that this place looks so run down, although I understand it is now under new ownership and is being renovated gradually. Unfortunately when we went, despite paying full entry fee, half the exhibits were closed and frankly looked like they needed a blinking good clean. The steam train ride was good to see the whole complex and the bullock wagon demonstration was also excellent.

We had a good look around and really enjoyed the exhibits and rides. The steam train ride gave us a good look around the whole complex before we started walking around and the shops etc were all very authentically set up. We certainly enjoyed the bullock wagon demonstration and the man certainly had a great love for and admiration for his team of bullocks. The icecream shop served great icecreams as it was quite warm. Great family entertainment and interesting to see things of yesteryear.