August 4, 2026
STINKER: Cook brought winds of change to the Bay The Fingal Spit. Photo: Supplied by John ‘Stinker’ Clarke.
Fishing

STINKER: Cook brought winds of change to the Bay

LIVING in tranquil Fingal Bay, surrounded by incredible natural beauty, it is difficult to visualise the area as a centre of great volcanic activity, bubbling and hissing lava, heaving earth movement and giant blocks tumbling into the sea. In the time of great change the islands off our coastline were part of the mainland. When […]

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STINKER: Bedlam on board with a monster Mulloway
Fishing

STINKER: Bedlam on board with a monster Mulloway

I AM asked at times: “What is the biggest fish you have caught?” I immediately think of a thumping cobia I caught off the rocks off Cabarita headland some years ago. Kingfish, snapper and mulloway come to mind. Then I think of the monster I caught off Fingal. It was when I had Graham Duffy […]

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Citizen scientists photograph and catalogue fungi A stinkhorn, one of many fungi that may be found in Australia. This one smells very, very bad, as the name suggests. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
Community, Event, Local News, Regional

Citizen scientists photograph and catalogue fungi

THE Great Aussie Fungi Hunt 2026 is on, and community members are playing their part in a worldwide effort to catalogue mushroom species. The Great Aussie Fungi Hunt is a yearly event organised by Fungimap, a not for profit, citizen-science organisation dedicated to researching and protecting Australian fungi. One of the chief goals of the […]

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Thousands gather for biggest Port Stephens Car Show yet Vehicles of all kinds, both historical and modern, were exhibited in the streets of Nelson Bay. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
Event, Highlights

Thousands gather for biggest Port Stephens Car Show yet

Vehicles of all kinds, both historical and modern, were exhibited in the streets of Nelson Bay. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Thousands of visitors showed up at the biggest edition of the Port Stephens Car Show yet. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Special guest, motorsports legend John Bowe. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Ron Goodman’s impressive Porsche collection. Photo: Nico Lombardo. […]

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Dungog Science Hub launches new series of climate lectures Climate Choices is a new series of community lectures.
Event, Highlights

Dungog Science Hub launches new series of climate lectures

A NEW series of lectures centred around climate change action has launched at the James Theatre. The Climate Choice series is a new series of lectures that are a collaboration between the Paterson Allyn Williams Science & Ideas Hub (PAWSIH) and community advocacy group, Lyne Together. The talks aim to inform the Dungog community and […]

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Best spots to land rock blackfish in Port Stephens If you’re fishing off the rocks, wear a lifejacket and try to fish with a mate.
Fishing

Best spots to land rock blackfish in Port Stephens

FROM recent reports black drummer, also known as rock blackfish, are keen to rumble off the rocks anywhere between Fingal and Rocky Point. Best baits include fresh or salted cunjevoi, or bread and prawns tossed into a bread berley trail. A 2/0 hook and just enough lead to get you into the strike zone, which […]

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James Theatre celebration marks ten years of Dungog community action Dungog’s James Theatre was the venue for a celebration.
Community, Entertainment, Film

James Theatre celebration marks ten years of Dungog community action

Dungog’s James Theatre was the venue for a celebration. On-stage local musician Peter Smith watches a piano duet performance. Andrew Simpson talks with Anne Fisher of Dungog by Design. Sharon and Emily at the Boomerang Bags stall. Diverse stalls manned by locals drew interest. Dungog High students played ambient music. DUNGOG advocates for ‘people and […]

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Stinker’s Fishing: The ultimate fishing experience The northern face of Broughton Island looking toward Seal Rocks. Photo: Supplied.
Community, Fishing

Stinker’s Fishing: The ultimate fishing experience

RECREATIONAL fishers are forever seeking the ultimate fishing experience. Fishing Utopia, the jewel in the crown. Well, I have found it! Two kilometres off the coast between Port Stephens and Forster sits an island wonderland where the fishing opportunities are endless. Three kilometres long and two kilometres wide, Broughton Island is the only island off […]

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Dungog Palliative Care volunteers are among the top four groups in NSW Co-ordinator Annette O’Neill at the Dungog Palliative Care office.
Event, Health, Regional

Dungog Palliative Care volunteers are among the top four groups in NSW

Co-ordinator Annette O’Neill at the Dungog Palliative Care office. Volunteers Margaret Jones, Lynne Moseley, Joy Berry and Annette O’Neill with Hebe Thomas, Principal Policy Officer, NSW Ministry of Health, and Felicity Burns, President, Palliative Care NSW. Photo: Palliative Care NSW REPRESENTATIVES from Dungog Shire Palliative Care volunteers recently attended an invitation-only award presentation in Sydney. […]

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