Described as Australia's premier port, Newcastle, 155 km North of Sydney, is Australia's sixth largest city. It was the location of the first ever export of Australian goods - a shipload of Hunter coal sailed from Newcastle Harbour to Bengal.

Though Nobbys Point on Newcastle's coast was sighted by Captain Cook in 1770, it was not until 1797 that Lt John Shortland discovered and named the Hunter River, and while attempting to recapture the convicts that eluded him discovered the coastal areas of Newcastle.

Newcastle was first settled in 1801; coal mining began, but the settlement was abandoned as no suitable officer could be found to maintain the colony. The town was resettled in 1804 under Lt Menzies and became a place where criminals from the Sydney colony were exiled for periods of one year or more. For twenty years the town operated as a hard labour camp; prisoners were put to work at coal mining, lime burning and salt making, until when half starved and sickly they were allowed to return to the comparative luxury of life in Sydney.

The Newcastle Penal Colony was closed in 1821, and while the removal of the majority of convicts encouraged settlement, Newcastle's growth stagnated until a decade later when the region's coal mines began to respond to the needs of the steam ships that had begun to transform the state.

The Australian Agricultural Company opened its first modern colliery in 1831. Continued trade development combined with the completion of the Newcastle breakwater and the declaration of a free port facilitated the growth of the city. The Californian gold rush and the impact of the railways further stimulated the coal trade, and by the 1850s Newcastle had blossomed into a coal producing and exporting centre. Mining villages, which were later to develop into suburbs, began to appear; and the population, below 1500 in 1856, soared to over 50,000 by 1901.

The region began to develop a broader range of industries and secure a healthy economic base. Not only coal but copper smelting and other forms of manufacturing including pottery and engineering made the town prosperous. These developments justified the construction of a number of fine commercial and industrial buildings - grand Victorian style architecture - solid warehouses, railway buildings and mine structures which reflected the optimism of the era, and which today stand tribute to the city leaders' strength of vision.

In 1913 Newcastle's great industrial base flourished as BHP commenced the construction of its steel works, and the Newcastle State Dockyards opened. Growth continued, and today the region still thrives based on a solid a industrial heritage and steady development.


Newcastle is a city revitalised. Though it continues to honour its heritage as the birthplace of Australia's heavy industry, it is a city which has undergone great change. A newly created Harbour Foreshore and Queen's Wharf provide a new focus for the city, while the city's location close to the magnificent wine making areas of the Hunter Valley and the beautiful Wattagan Mountains continue to offer visitors much to enjoy and explore.

Historical Attractions

Newcastle is a city of history, architecture from an age gone by dominates the skyline, and the city is home to a variety of interesting heritage sites including convict excavation sites, terraced houses, the majestic Christchurch Cathedral and Customs House. Other points of interest include the Obelisk and the site of Newcastle's first windmill. The existing Obelisk was constructed in 1850; however from 1820 navigational marks in the area were the original guide for the tall ships entering the treacherous Newcastle harbour. The Bogey Hole is another of Newcastle's historical sites that can be visited by the public. Now a public pool, it was the private bathing pool of Major James Morriset, Commandant of the Newcastle settlement. The Hole was cut into solid rock by convicts around 1820 so that the Commandant could take a bath. Soldiers Baths, near Nobbys Beach, were baths built with coastal rocks in 1882, and were the only baths in the colony.

One of Newcastle's more famous historical attractions is Fort Scratchley, the only Australian fort to go to war. The magnificent sandstone building now contains a Military and Maritime Museum, but in its early days the Fort - complete with moat, drawbridge and secret tunnels - guarded Newcastle and its harbour. The Fort was ready for the Crimean War, and fired at and was fired upon by, 'midget-submarines' during WWII. The Military Barracks, including the former Commandants residence and gatehouse built in 1841, are also of important historical significance.

Natural Attractions

The superb coastal beaches and the picturesque waterways of Lake Macquarie make Newcastle a prime attraction for lovers of watersports. Visitors can experience sailing, fishing, diving and a variety of other activities. Cruises on both the harbour and lake are also available. Visitors can travel aboard the historic William IV steam ship or on more modern cruisers; boat charter is also an option. Great surfing beaches can be found in Newcastle, Dixon Park, Merewether, Dudley and Blacksmith, and a walk along the Foreshore to Nobbys Lighthouse is not to be missed.

Shortland Wetlands Centre

This magnificent birdlife and fauna sanctuary on the outskirts of Newcastle provides visitors with the opportunity to study birdlife in their natural environment. The Wetlands provide information on migrating and native birds through interesting displays, lectures and tours, and visitors can 'breakfast with the birds', take a twilight guided tour, or enjoy canoeing through the reserve at any time.

Parks and Gardens

Newcastle has a number of beautiful parks and gardens, including the impressive emerald green King Edward Park overlooking spectacular ocean views; Civic Park complete with shady trees, fountains and ornate flowerbeds; and historic Gregson Park. Blackbutt Flora and Fauna Reserve is the Newcastle's area's most popular recreational reserve. The 182 hectare Reserve offers visitors the opportunity to picnic with a variety of native Australian animals and birds and take walking trails experiencing delightful bushland ranging from native eucalypts to ferns and rainforest trees.

Museums

Newcastle Regional Museum is housed in the old Castlemaine & Wood Bros Brewery. A splendid attraction in itself, the Museum features stimulating exhibits about the region's industrial and technological heritage, social history, lifestyles and environment. A highlight of the museum is its interactive science and technology exhibition and recreations of early coal mining. Newcastle also has a Military and Maritime Museum (located within Fort Scratchley), a Police Museum, and a Tram exhibition. Fighter World at the RAAF base in Williamtown has an extensive collection of top class fighter planes and other weaponry exhibits.

Galleries

There are a number of superb small art galleries in the Newcastle area, while the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery is acclaimed for excellent touring exhibitions and acquisitions - including an excellent Australian art collection. Newcastle also has a Conservatorium of Music. Located in the historic People's Place Building, the Conservatorium has a magnificent concert hall and offers a rich and exciting variety of concerts by local and internationally renowned artists. Newcastle's recently refurbished Civic Theatre is a magnificent attraction in itself. The theatre hosts a range of excellent concerts and productions throughout the year.

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