The tour includes first-hand accounts of the 1955 flood and its impact on the central business district. Starting on the riverbank at Horseshoe Bend, tour participants are led through Maitland Mall while hearing about the damage caused by racing floodwaters roaring down High St. At the peak of the flood the water was so turbulent, not even the surf life saving boats could row from one side of the street to the other.

With over 80 photos to view along the walk, the stories really come to life. Hear about the Maitland Mall butcher who kept selling sausages for as long as possible even when floodwaters overtopped the river bank and started flowing through the shop, swirling around the ankles of surprised customers.

Tour participants will each receive a complimentary kit Are You FloodSafe? The kit includes information on the Maitland Flood Mitigation Scheme. Fact sheets and a DVD show how the scheme is designed to lessen the impact of flooding on the city centre through a system of levees, spillways and control banks. The kit also contains the SES Home Emergency Kit fridge magnet and SES FloodSafe Guide. The DVD includes footage of the 1955 flood and the June 2007 flood – the most recent major flood on the Hunter River.

There are two times to choose from, the morning tour starts at 9:00am and the afternoon tour at 1pm. The walk will be led by local historian Peter Bogan and runs for two hours, followed by morning or afternoon tea. Cost is $10 per person. Places are limited and bookings essential. Contact the CMA on 4930 1030 or email the CMA’s Flood & Wetland Education Officer Amanda.Hyde@cma.nsw.gov.au