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Newcastle and Hunter River
Newcastle NSW 2300 (Pop 278 800)
Newcastle is a thriving cosmopolitan city and the state’s second largest located on the Hunter River 156 km north of Sydney. It has a very large and busy export harbour and it is the commercial, administrative & industrial centre of the region. Originally occupied by the Awabakal and Worimi Aborigines who named the area’ Muloobinba’ meaning the ‘place of edible sea ferns’ , coal mining and timber cutting began in 1798. The original penal settlement was moved further north and Newcastle became a major coal producer and port. The massive BHP steelworks opened in 1915. The Maritime Festival (Jan), Beaumont St Jazz & Arts Festival (Apr), Mattara Festival (Oct).
Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Newcastle – Old Stationmaster’s Residence (1858), Former Police Station (1880). Fort Scratchley, Nobbys Rd (1886) built to protect Newcastle from a feared Russian invasion during 1870s. The fort’s guns were finally fired in 1942 at a Japanese submarine which attacked Newcastle. The military left in 1972 and it is today the Newcastle Region Maritime and Military Museum fascinating historic displays. Open (10.30am-4pm) Tues-Sun. Customs House (1877) Watt St. Railway Station (1878). The Foreshore features Horseshoe Beach, Boat Harbour, the Pilot Station (1866), Tug Wharf, Harbourside Park, Frog Pond, Queen’s Wharf, Great North Walk (end point of the 250 km 14 day walk between Sydney and Newcastle) and the Yuelarbah Track. King Edward Park, Shortland Esp features the remains of a cement fortress. Soldier Baths (1882) ocean pools below Fort Scratchley and band rotunda (1898). Shepherds Hill with Strzelecki Lookout named after the Polish geologist and explorer. Awabakal Nature Reserve (end of Dudley Beach) 200 ha reserve of freshwater swamps, sclerophyll forest, rock platforms, old quarry site and Aboriginal middens. Shipwreck Walk (from Stockton) where many ships were lost during 19th and 20th centuries. Fernleigh Track former railway corridor of 15 kms from Adamstown to Belmont. Popular with walkers and cyclists. Newcastle Regional Museum, Hunter St housed within an old brewery with excellent historic, industrial and technological displays. Open (10am-5pm) Tues-Sun. Free entry. Newcastle Region Art Gallery, Laman St fine collection of Australian artists, Aboriginal bark paintings & Japanese ceramics. Open (10am-5pm) Tues-Sun. Blackbutt Reserve (Carnley Ave Kotara) a 180 ha blackbutt, woodland and rainforest reserve close to the Newcastle suburbs with a wealth of birdlife, flora & fauna. Open daily and free entry. Mt Sugarloaf Lookout, Seahampton at 412 m provides wonderful views of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Lower Hunter Valley. Excellent walking trails. Beaches. Superb surfing & swimming beaches include Stockton, Nobbys, Newcastle, Bar, Redhead, Dixon Park and Merewether which also includes the Merewether Ocean Baths (largest in the Southern Hemisphere).
Nearby:
Lake Macquarie (20 km south) the largest coastal saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere being 24 km long, 3.2 km wide and 9.7 m at its deepest. It is about 4 times the size of Sydney Harbour. Around the lake are 92 towns and villages as well as many public boat ramps, jetties and wharves. It is linked to the ocean by a narrow channel. Great for all kinds of watersports and fishing (particularly whiting, bream & flathead). The Lake Macquarie Heritage Afloat Festival (Apr). Munmorah State Recreation Area (15 km west) 1 462 ha park with beautiful coastal tracks, watersports and a bird & reptile habitat.
Visitor Information Centre: 363 Hunter St. Tel (02) 4974 2999 or 1800 654 558.
Airport:
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