Newcastle Area Attractions
Newcastle Area Attractions Directory : Historical Sites and Heritage Locations
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Major James T. Morriset, the military commandant in Newcastle (1819-1822) had a hole cut into ocean rocks by convict labour, for his personal bathing.
Known for many years as 'Commandant's Bath', it became a public pool in 1863. It is still a popular swimming hole in a spectacular scenic location.Bogey Hole
Newcastle
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Now recognised as an early example of a convict industrial site, the Convict Lumber yard is a symbol, not only of early Newcastle, but of the development of the nation as a whole.
The site is considered to be of national heritage significance because it yields information relating to the second oldest city outside Sydney in Australia and the economic and industrial growth of the nation. With its rare evidence of a convict industrial workplace, the Convict Lumberyard encapsulates the key reasons...Convict Lumberyard
Newcastle
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There is so much to do at Fort Scratchley Historic Site…
Enjoy a stroll around the site to soak in the history, taking in the breathtaking views, enjoy dolphin or whale-watching with a picnic or immerse yourself in history and undertake a guided tour of the site and through the amazing underground tunnels.
Experience Newcastle’s History at its best...
National Historic Landmark
Europeans first settled in Newcastle for its readily accessible coal and the headland was initially used to display ...Fort Scratchley Historic Site
Newcastle
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The Civic Railway Workshops have been converted from derelict buildings into the centre of Newcastle's social life. A vibrant mix of restaurants, cafes, culture and public space. Enjoy a drink at one of the casual bars while watching the sun set over the port and enjoy a twilight meal at one of the world-class restaurants. Your impression of Newcastle will never be the same again.Honeysuckle Precinct
Newcastle
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Commemorating the famous explorer who passed by Newcastle on 10 May 1770, the James Cook Memorial Fountain provides a distinctive backdrop to Civic Park.
This fountain designed by Sculptor M.Hinder was built in 1966 and symbolises the energy and Industry of Newcastle. The fountain was officially opened in 1970.James Cook Memorial Fountain
Newcastle
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King Edward Park was dedicated as a recreation reserve in 1863. Within the grounds were a Bowling Green and the Obelisk, built as a navigational marker
in 1850; the focal point is a Victorian rotunda.
The park has spectacular ocean views, Norfolk Island pines and a sunken garden usually ablaze of colour.
On the southern boundary are the remains of the Shepherds Hill Battery and Gunner's Cottage which were in regular use from 1890 to World War II.
The park also has links with Newcastle's pena...King Edward Park
Newcastle
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The Building itself; is the Major exhibit divided into two main periods:
1. Convict Era...1804-1853.... Control by the Military
2. Civil Period..1854-1986.... Control by the police and the Courts.
Changes have been made to the building but it survives in its 1926 form and is part of an important grouping of buildings... namely, the post office (1903), the former criminal investigation Bureau (built as a telegraph station 1861) and the public works dept office(1873).
Now known as a heritage h...Lock-Up Museum
Newcastle
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You can gain access to Miss Porter's little sanctuary and see what the 'careful, quiet and private lifestyle' of the two sisters and mother looked like in the early 1900s.Miss Porter`s House
Newcastle
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Opened in 1929, Newcastle City Hall is one of Newcastle's most unique and prestigious venues. Its Old World charm and stunning architecture, including sandstone walls and pillars, marble staircases, clocktower and sweeping ballroom, is reminiscent of a bygone era.
Newcastle City Hall was originally designed to house Council administration and chambers. Although today Newcastle City Hall is used for a variety of social gatherings, its use as a council chamber and place of civic reception, and co...Newcastle City Hall
Newcastle
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The Civic Theatre Newcastle is one of Australia's great historic theatres and hosts a wide range of musicals, plays, concerts, dance and other events each year in the nation's seventh largest city.
The Civic Theatre Newcastle is funded by Newcastle City Council as a key cultural institution for the city. Located in the heart of Newcastle’s City Centre, the 1,520 seat Lyric Theatre is one of Newcastle’s most popular and prestigious venues.
The heritage-listed Civic Theatre was designed by prom...Newcastle Civic Theatre
Newcastle
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The Convict Lumber Yard was one of the first sites of settlement in Newcastle and significant in the birth of the city and the coal industry. In recognition of the history of this site is now a park. Opposite the Great Western Hotel is an interpretation of the original Lumber Yard structures and signs outlining the development of the site. A fascinating insight into the beginnings of Australia.Newcastle East Heritage Tourist Walk
Newcastle
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With its distinctive and architecturally significant Art Deco pavilion, Newcastle Ocean Baths is one of the city’s outstanding historic landmarks and is a popular informal open air studio for amateur photographers. The Ocean Baths were constructed and in use before WWI, though not formally opened until the 1920s. The baths’ popularity has never waned throughout the ensuring decades and thousands of Novocastrians remember it fondly as the place where they first learned to swim. Construction began...Newcastle Ocean Baths
Newcastle
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Newcastle Region Maritime Museum is currently closed until Mid October 2008 for refurbishments.
The Newcastle Region Maritime Museum has fine examples of small boats, model ships and artefacts - many renowned in local and national history - are on display alongside exhibits relating to the Port's development over two century's and the Museum has a large collection of historic photographs and paintings.Newcastle Region Maritime Museum
Newcastle
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Newcastle’s highest profile beach, with council Lifeguard Services provided Monday to Saturday year round and volunteer members of Nobbys Surf Lifesaving Club provide beach patrols on Sundays during the swimming season. It is a favoured swimming spot for family groups and those learning to surf.
The first beach on the Bather’s Way, take a walk along the Harbour Break-wall and Nobby’s Lighthouse. Plus the walk between Nobbys Beach and Newcastle Ocean baths features the Historic Soldier’s Baths R...Nobbys Beach
Newcastle
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The Nobbys Head Lighthouse was established on an island whose future was doubtful right up the period prior to the light's establishment. The present lighthouse was established on Nobbys Head in 1854, which was then a small isolated coastal islet just off Signal Head. It was only the third lighthouse built in NSW after the Macquarie Light in 1818 and the Hornby Light that was also built in 1858.
The first beacon had been lit on Signal Hill in 1804 to guide vessels into the Hunter River. It...Nobbys Head Lighthouse
Newcastle
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Originally twice as high as today when Captain Cook named the headland Nobby's in 1770. The top of Nobby's was a convenient source of rock required for a harbour breakwater between Nobby's and the mainland.
A stockade on Nobby's housed convict workers while they quarried the rock into a series of terraces. Construction of a lighthouse began in 1856 and since 1857 has guided ships into the harbour.
Possibly the oldest rock fill breakwater in the Southern Hemisphere. Popular for joggers and leis...Nobbys Headland and Breakwall
Newcastle
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In 1821, Major Morisset, Commandant of Newcastle, ordered the construction of a windmill on a windy hill overlooking the port.
It was built to replace the unsatisfactory hand mills the convicts were using to grind flour from their wheat ration. A second mill was added to increase capacity.
The mills were not used for long before being superseded by the larger, more modern mills in the Hunter Valley. Demolition of the first mill in the late 1840's resulted in an outcry from the shipping industr...Obelisk Newcastle
Newcastle
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Discover the charm and bohemian culture of Glebe, which overlies it beginnings as church land. Of particular note on the Preservation Walking Tour are the State Heritage Listed Lyndhurst, Reussdale and the University Hall and Cottages.Preservation Heritage Walk
The Glebe
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Wander from Newcastle City across the footbridge to Queen’s Wharf, where you can enjoy tasty wood-fired pizzas at Newcastle’s renowned Blue Water Pizza restaurant or fresh seafood delights from Scratchleys on the Wharf. Have a schooner of locally brewed ginger beer at the famous pub called The Brewery, which has become legendary for its lazy Sunday afternoons of live acoustic music on the harbour’s edge. You can also jump on a ferry for a quick trip over to Stockton.
If you are feeling more ene...Queens Wharf
Newcastle
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Lined along the base of the Stockton Breakwater are some 16 wrecks and scuttled vessels. This breakwater was named Shipwreck Walk in 1992 and the location of these wrecks were identified.
The Shipwreck Walk is a pleasant 2 kilometre walk along the Stockton breakwater on the north side of Newcastle Harbour.
The French barque 'Adolphe' is still visible and is thought to be one of the most accessible wrecks in Australia. A viewing platform has been erected to give sightseers a closer look at the...Shipwreck Walk
Stockton
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