Raymond Terrace, the administrative centre of the Port Stephens Shire, is located 177km north of Sydney via the Pacific Highway and 12m above sea-level.
It is now virtually a commuter belt township attached to Newcastle, 23km to the South. Its population in 1991 was 11,159 .
The area was originally occupied by the Worimi Aborigines. The towns name comes from a member of Lieutenant Shortland’s party, by the name of Raymond, who explored the area in 1797 and described the “terraced” appearance of the trees. Lieutenant-Colonel Paterson, then Lieutenant Governor of NSW, stepped ashore at the river junction in 1801 while on a survey expedition of the Hunter.
The town is now a vibrant centre offering a major shopping centre and another to be constructed by 2010, all major Banks & Building Society’s along with various Government Offices. There are four Primary Schools in the area along with two High Schools. Our sporting facilities are among the best in the Newcastle district and cater for many sports including Rugby League, Soccer, Baseball, Netball, Tennis, Hockey, Lawn Bowls and Cricket to name a few.
The main focal point of the township is the Hunter and Williams Rivers where on most weekends Water Skiers flock.
Conveniently located, Raymond Terrace is only 30 minutes from the blue waterland of Port Stephens and 40 minutes to the famous Hunter Valley Vineyards.