Other early settlers were Blanch, Boyd, Meredith, Bryant, Brown and West families. For many years the water was the main method of transport. Coaches from Newcastle changed horses at Williamtown and met boats at Salt Ash wharf to travel to all parts of Port Stephens down Tilligerry Creek. Popular excursions were ferry trips and regattas. Many parts of Tilligerry Peninsula have been mined for rutile and glass sand which has removed the tree cover.
Mining continues in areas and is proposed for others.
Bushfires have also been a regular threat to flora and fauna. The Tilligerry Peninsula is serviced by five quiet hamlets with distinctively different histories and appearance. The trail begins at Salt Ash. . . . . . Salt Ash - has always been the gateway to the Tilligerry Peninsula. The first land grant was Oakfield taken up by James Smith in 1837.