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Newcastle
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 goneby 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. Convicts around 1820 cut the Hole into solid rock 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. Newcastle also
boasts some of the best wreck diving in Australia and a sea-kayaker's
heaven because of the fantastic coastal scenery and sea-caves.
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 weaponary 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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