Oyster Cove
Quite a historical area Oyster Cove was once billed as largest oyster farm in southern hemisphere- now a boaties paradise with chandlery at Cove Marine- (marine servicing, slipping and dry storage) as the growth business surrounded by about 20 residences but port is shallow. Extensive sand extraction in past. Nearby national park land around Big Swan Bay called Gir-um-bit (`salt water’) is a release area for koalas. There is town water supply but no sewer so very limited residential development is planned here. A park on the foreshore is needed for tourists and locals.
Mallabulla
Meaning `place between hills’ (assumed to be LTP Hill and the knoll in Wychewoode Ave) Mallabula is a quiet residential area with the parkland facilities of Caswell Reserve, Tilligerry Sports Complex including tennis courts, aquatic centre, hall, men’s shed and skate park. Mallabula’s streets are named after mostly American resort town. The nearby bushland is biodiversity rich with heritage quarries.
Tanilba Bay
Tilligerry’s commercial hub Tanilba means `place of white flowers- flannel flowers etc. The surrounding heath blooms white in October. It is also a cultural and heritage centre based around the Caswell’s pioneer Tanilba House (1831) and Henry F. Halloran’s 1920 garden city development and stone constructions. A Coles store, a new retirement village, multiple small shops, a golf course planned to be moved to accommodate new housing shapes the centre. Other infrastructure is Tanilba Bay Public School, Tilligerry RSL Sports Club, many churches. Locals treasure their colonial farm past, Halloran’s internal parks and idiosyncratic stonework, the tree lined Avenue of the Allies, the view over Tanilba Bay and remnant bushland in Tilligerry Habitat.
Salt Ash
Rural farming and residential area with larger blocks of land. Many houses now have Hunter Water supply because of PFAS. Development limited by no sewer. Infrastructure; Pauls Corner, Salt Ash School, sand mining, church, petrol. Oakvale Farm (domestic and native animals including koalas. Picnic areas). Nearby is the Murrook Cultural Centre overlooking the beautiful sand dunes of the Stockton Bight.
Lemon Tree Passage
So called Lemon Tree is Tilligerry’s main port as gateway to Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park and the inner port waterways. Henderson Park provides a central meeting place for visitors and locals with stage, square, extensive pathways, BBQ and enclosed tidal pool surrounded by quirky shops and casual and more formal dining at The Poyers and regular events. Boat cruises are available on the Wangi Queen a 1920s heritage boat. Other Lemon Tree infrastructure includes library, old school centre, industrial area morphing into a mixed business area, Club Lemon Tree.
