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If you arrive at the Railway Station and head up Scott Street towards the ocean then, at 92, opposite Pacific Park, is the fine old stationmaster's residence (1858). Beautifully restored, it has iron columns supporting a porch with delicately patterned cast-iron lacework. Opposite, at the corner of Pacific and Scott Sts, is a building partially obscured by hedges and trees. It is the former Newcastle East Police Station (1880) built as a water police residence.
Further up the road where the buses terminate is Parnell Place and it takes you left towards Nobbys Beach. This thoroughfare was hit by shells from a Japanese submarine in 1942 when the city was on full alert.
The guns of nearby Fort Scratchley were only able to get off two ranging shots when a vessel scurrying for cover got in the way and the sub was able to escape.
To the immediate right is a small park where you'll note a large column. This belonged to the original courthouse (1841) on the corner of Bolton and Hunter Sts that was demolished in 1899 to make way for the post office.
At the end of Parnell Place is a complex intersection, to the side of which is a rusting monument to Newcastle's coalmining and shipping industries with a series of plaques depicting the evolution and interaction of both industries.
This route can then take you to Nobbys and back along the harbour foreshore the restaurants that dot the waterfront. Leave a Comment
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The Customs House was built facing the harbour in 1876 when Newcastle was already one of the world's busiest coal ports. This attraction is a unique example of an Italian Romanesque revival building with polychromatic brickwork and a fine clock tower. The whole thing was sandblasted to clean it up in the 1980's.
Surmounting the clock tower is a black time ball on a mast. It was dropped precisely at 1.00pm each day to give a visual time signal from which ships' chronometers could be accurately set.
The time ball was dysfunctional for a long time until a subscription got the funds to get it working again. Not long after that the earthquake occurred and jammed it again.
These days the Customs House is a restaurant and it has proved to be very popular.
It can provide a private boardroom lunch for 8 or a theatre style seminar for 200 in the upstairs function rooms.
It sits across the way from the Newcastle Railway Station, whose fate is not so certain in the future as there is talk of cutting the rail link right into town. I, for one, am bitterly opposed to such a move. Leave a Comment
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This river is one of the main reasons for Newcastle's existence. When coal was noticed it was right at the river mouth so transport was relatively easy.
Over the years the export tonnage has increased to the point where it now exports nearly 2,000,000 tonnes per week, a large amount even by world standards, but the river is more than just a place where ships come and go. It is a tidal river and salt goes a long way inland so it serves as a fish and prawn spawning area. This is where the mangrove swamps come in. Initially thought of as a nuisance, more enlightened education now makes us realize their importance in the scheme of things, especially in the early days of fish and prawns.
The river is 467 kilometres long (how do they measure these things?) though, as the crow flies, its source is around 70 kilometres from the sea but it first heads west before taking a long curve and then returning east.
When you drive west of Newcastle you go right next to and across the river. Sometimes on still nights the lights of the distant town can be seen in the sheltered waters as their orange beams lay across the surface, reflecting a serene stream.
At other times the river can be across the roadway though fortunately floods only happen about once every twenty years but are nonetheless unforgettable.
It is dammed at Glenbawn in the upper Hunter where a 5 megawatt hydroelectric turbine has recently been installed. This also helps to regulate the flow, along with Chichester dam that stems the flow of one of its major tributaries, the Williams River.
Whatever is happening, it is the lifeblood of Newcastle, capital of the Hunter. Leave a Comment
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Like the movies? A lot of people do. These days you have multiple choice cinemas with space age carpets and architecture and snack bars where you can get totally ripped off when buying yourself treats.
However, if you miss the old style cinema where the man that sells you the ticket also operates the projector, where you get a smile and a bit of chat while you buy your ticket, where tickets are two thirds the price of chain cinemas then you are in luck. One place in Newcastle offers just such an experience at Boolaroo, even gives you a free tea and sandwiches at half time during their double feature presentations. Can't ask for more than that! Leave a Comment
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It is hard to avoid the beach and the harbour. Without the latter Newcastle would not be the city it is today. In terms of tonnage it is Australia's biggest export port and, I believe, is reasonably high on a world scale. Around 2 million tonnes a week in fact. This is mainly due to the coal that departs on huge bulk carriers every day, several times a day. You will see them anchored off the beaches awaiting their turn at the docks. There has to be a queue as they turn around these ships in 24 hours and there has been a huge investment in modern coal loaders.
I really like Nobbys Beach as you will glean from elsewhere though sitting by the harbour enjoying a cup of tea and a mid afternoon snack as some of the ships go by is pretty neat as well, an activity I frequently indulge in.
On weekends you also get to see the yachts heading out for a bout of ocean racing; quite idyllic really. Leave a Comment
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This is just an excuse to put a couple of my sunset shots on display. They're far from being my best but give you an idea of what the harbour looks like from the carpark at Nobbys.
Just thought I'd share them with you. Leave a Comment
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Sitting at one of the harbourside restaurants watching the ships arrive/depart, as mentioned elsewhere, is something I like doing. You can just about guarantee that during any stint at a cafe at least one will pass by and they are seriously big. Somehow they never seem as big side on but, when you see one from the front you get some idea of the massive bulk of the coal carriers.
The tugs in pic 3 are actually being pulled sideways.
The extraordinary thing about this picture is that within 48 hours of when it was taken there was the mother of all storms; in fact, the one that put the Pasha Bulker on Nobbys Beach shore. Talk about the calm before the storm! Leave a Comment
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It's an eyecatcher. This welcoming scupture aimed at seafaring folk casts its genial light every night across the waters of the harbour.
Not quite the Statue of LIberty but, we're only a small town by comparison and the French probably don't love us as much (especially since we started making wine seriously).
The statue sits at the eastern extremity of the suburb of Carrington but is visible all the way down the harbour.
It is entitled "Destiny" and is a reminder of the prows that used to grace the sailing ships that once were stacked three deep along the foreshore.
The flowing hair behind her represents the seven seas.
1999 Destiny – Dyke Point Newcastle Port Corporation, sculpture to commemorate 200th anniversary Newcastle port operations. Bronze height 8.5m x 3m x 2.5m.
The sculptor was reknowned artist Julie Squires whose CV, especially while she was studying at Newcastle University, is impressive to say the least. Listed below are other commissions she has completed though her latest, the one at the start of The Great Ocean Road, is not registered here but you can find out about that on my Lorne pages.
1999 The Muster point – Newcastle BHP Steelworks Industrial Drive, Newcastle
Memorial sculpture for Newcastle BHP Steelworkers commemorating the closure of the Steelmaking Plant. Sculpture resulted from an artist initiated project with the Workers Cultural Action Committee called The Molten Arts Project. Following an eighteen month artist residency at the Steelworks, The Muster Point was constructed in the Fabrication Shop on site by the artist and BHP employees. Fabricated steel height 8m x 16m 12m. Weight 70 tone.
1999 Sea Eagle motifs -West Charlestown Bypass Roads & Traffic Association Bas relief sculptures, cast concrete. 1m x .75m
1998 Newcastle Port Corporation, Port Entry Walls Eight Bronze cast bas relief sculptures for gateway to Carrington Port Authority. Eight x 2m x 1.5m
1997 By The Lake – Lake Macquarie City Council 26 Bronze cast bas relief sculptures. .25m x .3m
1996 Nobby's Break Wall Newcastle Bicentenery Commission me theme, cast concrete. 3m x 1m
1995 Connection - Constable & Hershon Vineyard Figurative cast bronze sculpture. Two figures 2m x 1.75m
1995 Journey - Castle Tavern King St, Newcastle Figurative cast iron and steel sculpture. 4m x 2m
1994 Recognition - Constable & Hershon Vineyard Figurative cast lead sculpture. One figure 1m x .6m
2001 View From The Edge - Constable & Hershon Vineyard cast bronze sculpture. 2m x 1.5m x .30m Leave a Comment
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Don't get too excited that you're going to find grapes in the middle of Hunter Street, our main thoroughfare, but this is the headquarters of the Hunter Wine Society in Workshop Way, just across the railway line from Hunter Street.
I just think it's wonderful that you can get an old railway workshop, tart it up and end up with a lovely building put to a completely different use to that originally intended.
The society sources wines from many areas and packages them up for members at reduced prices but also offers them varieties that they may not normally come across.
Pass me a glass Fred! This is from their blurb-
"Today, we are the largest independent, direct supplier of Australian wine.
Wine Shop
You can choose from the latest array of superb wine selections assembled by our expert Tasting Panel. Choose white, red or mixed selections – from quality quaffers to super-premium wines.
Winemakers’ Selection
Take your pick from over 150 wines rated the best quality across every price range. These benchmark wines are available in convenient 6 packs, making it easy to secure quality wines for every occasion.
Wine Search
Forgotten the name of an old favourite? Looking for something new? Simply enter your variety, style, region and price preferences to discover the perfect wines for you! Your Wine Selector service will remember your profile, so each time you log on you’ll be provided with an updated list of available wines that cater specifically to your personal taste. Naturally, you can edit and fine tune your profile whenever you wish.
Our expert selection process
Every wine we offer has been selected by our expert Tasting Panel comprising leading winemakers, wine show judges and wine educators using Australian Wine Show judging criteria. Only wines that have achieved a medal-winning score from our Tasting Panel are included in our offers.
Taste the real Australia
Wine Selectors offers access to major wine labels as well as hundreds of leading boutique wines from every Australian wine region. While the 2 major retail giants shrink the range of wines consumers get to choose from, Wine Selectors stands alone, providing you with the opportunity to leave the mass-produced production line behind and secure quality wines that you may otherwise never get to enjoy.
The ultimate wine experience
As well as our great online services, you have the opportunity to enjoy Australia’s ultimate wine experience by becoming a Member of Wine Selectors. Privileges include:
Free Australian Wine Selector magazine
Australian Wine Selector is the nation’s highest circulating wine lifestyle magazine.
Access to convenient, commitment-free wine plans
If desired, Members may join any of our five, expertly selected wine plans catering for all lifestyles and budgets. Our wine plans include: the Hunter Valley Wine Society plan; the Regional Series plan; the Seasonal Selections plan; the Winemakers’ Series; plan and the Chairman’s Series plan.
Wine tastings, wine courses and social events
Members and their guests receive exclusive invitations to attend Member Events including: wine education courses; Winemakers’ Dinners, Members’ Wine Tastings; Vineyard Tours; Race Days; and Golf Days.
Wine region Member Privileges
Members can save hundreds of dollars taking advantage of exclusive, Member Privileges at 300 participating cellar door, accommodation and dining venues right across Australia." Leave a Comment
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One of the must-do's when you come to Newcastle is to chill out on the foreshore near our great phallic symbol, which doubles as a lookout. There's a hotel, a function centre and a few restaurants and on Sunday afternoons there's a band playing on the wharf in front of The Brewery. All of this to entertain you as the boats move about on the harbour.
The first ship to move coal from the port took just 24 tonnes. That was in 1801. A slightly larger vessel arrived in 1997, total length 272 metres and it took 148,000 tonnes in one hit.
That's nearly 6,000 times the original load! That's progress for you.
Autumn or spring days are best for this activity but you can enjoy it in summer or winter as well, bearing in mind it might be slightly hotter/colder than you might like. In summer you'll get the afternoon seabreeze, a nor' easter, which tends to cool things down and remind me of my favourite Frank Sinatra song, The Summer Wind. Never is it more appropriate than harbourside in summer.
Since we have a large volume of shipping you have a good chance of seeing one or more go by while you sip your chardonnay.
Saturday afternoons have an added bonus because it's sailing day when the local club, based at Stockton, has its races. They go right next to the restaurants, embellishing an already memorable activity.
However, since the addition of the new marina you can see lots of yachts heading out for offshore racing on Sunday afternoons also. Leave a Comment
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on February 3, 2009
