Located on the Central Coast north of Sydney, Avoca Beach is a pristine sandy beach with a lifeguard tower. We found plenty of space in the car park when we visited but during school holidays and weekends parking might be an issue. Change rooms and toilets at the car park were clean and in good condition. At the time we visited there was beach restoration work happening, which will help to maintain the quality of the beach and sand dunes.
Avoca Beach
Sandy tracks give access to the beach from the carpark. The beach is big giving plenty of space to enjoy yourself without other people being too close. The lifeguard / shark tower near the entrance is an interesting feature, as not all Australian beaches have one like this, because lifesavers usually watch the surf from the surf house. With summer around the corner this beach is a great one to spend time on and enjoy!
Sandy Track Down to Avoca Beach
Shark Tower on Avoca Beach
Rock Platform
Located at the south end of Avoca Beach, the rock platform is covered in small rock pools and at low tide you can walk around them to examine what is living there. On the cliff side is a small cave which you can enter. From here there is a great view of the ocean framed by the outline of the cave. Further along is a bigger cave, but you will need to go at low tide and be very careful. Some of the large rocks are slippery and you will have to climb over some to get to the entrance.
Rock Formation at Avoca Beach
Looking Out of the Small Cave
The Rock Platform at Low Tide
The Rock Platform at Low Tide
Places to Eat
Just before the rock platform are some coffee shops with wonderful views over the ocean and along the beach. This made a great place to stop for a break after exploring the rock platform and before walking back down the beach.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Access to Sydney Olympic Park is well designed as the whole area was redeveloped for the 2000 Olympics. Public transport either by bus ferry or train will get you to the area, or parking is well catered for with many car parks available.
As the name implies, this was the location of the 2000 Olympics and the area is still strongly connected to sport. Several of Sydney’s major stadiums are located here as a legacy of the Olympics and regularly feature major sporting or entertainment events.
To cater for the influx of people to the area, several hotels can be found here, ranging from budget to five star. Even when there are no events on, restaurants and cafes are open, because many companies operate in the district.
One of the largest events held here is the Royal Easter Show which operates for two weeks, showcasing New South Wales agricultural as well as sideshows and rides to the kids. For the full story of our visit to the show, click here.
Memorials to the Sydney 2000 Games can be found around the main stadium, with the Olympic Cauldron and a forest of 480 poles with volunteers’ names on them easy to find.
ANZ Stadium and a Forest of Poles
Bay Marker
The Bay Marker contains the remnants of construction material from the Homebush Area, which instead of being an ugly eyesore has been shaped and revegetated into a fun walk and lookout.
Next to the Bay Marker is Wentworth Common, which has sporting grounds and a playground. A great place to stop and watch the local teams competing on a weekend, while the kids can enjoy the playground.
Bay Marker
The Path on Bay Marker
Bicentennial Park
Treillage Tower
Located in the centre of Bicentennial Park, the Treillage Tower is a viewing platform that allows great views over the rest of the park. Made of lattice, the tower has a three story high viewing platform 17m above ground level. This was a fun place to visit on our walk through the Park.
The Treillage Tower
View From The Treillage Tower
Brick Pit
In many places something like the Brick Pit outdo be covered, or filled in. Instead, it has been preserved as a heritage site to show where and how the bricks were made. A huge elevated walkway has been constructed inside the rim of the old quarry, enabling visitors to view the old pit from every angle. At intervals around the walkway displays show how people worked here and how it was operate.
Hidden away and out of view this is a great place to visit if you are in the Homebush area.
The Brickpit Walkway
The Brickpit and Elevated Walkway
Homebush Bay Shipwrecks
The area where the shipwrecks are located was originally used as a breaking yard for old ships. Those that are left have now been heritage listed and are great photography subjects with several being overgrown with trees. To read our full story click here.
SS Ayrfield
Newington Armory
Originally housing a major Australian Defence Force magazine, the site is now repurposed into art galleries, sports and a wildlife refuge. Our full story cab be found here.
Buildings Behind Earth Bunds
Badu Mangroves
If you are interested in birds or would like to have a look at what lives in the wetlands around Sydney, this is a great place to go. There are purpose build bird hides and viewing platforms where you can observe from and information panels on the local birdlife.
Bennelong Pond in the Badu Mangroves
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Only 160 km north of Sydney is Newcastle, Australia’s seventh largest city. Located in the heart of the Hunter Region it i has beautiful beaches and a stunning coastline.
There are some amazing beaches within an hour’s drive of Newcastle and Port Stephens as well as some world-class wineries in the Hunter Valley.
A rail service links Newcastle to Sydney and the rest of New South Wales for easy travel. There is also a local airport with several daily flights. Driving from Sydney using the M1 Pacific Freeway is an easy drive in under two hours.
Nobby’s Headland
Nobbys Headland runs behind Nobbys beach and is a popular place to walk. From the carpark a path leads out to the headland and then along the breakwall. There is a shared track for walkers and bikes, so use care while walking.
At the start of the walk you will find the surf club and a kiosk selling a variety of food and drinks making it a good stop after the walk to the breakwater.
Nobby’s Headland NewcastleA Different View of Nobbys Headland
Nobby’s Lighthouse
Nobby’s Lighthouse is once again open to the public on weekends. If you are walking along the breakwall, this is a steep sidetrack to take to the top of the Headland. There are great views over the harbour and city.
While walking up to the lighthouse, there is a sculpture on the right hand side. This commemorates the Newcastle Lifeboat Service.
Newcastle Lifeboat Service Memorial Sculpture
Newcastle Lifeboat Service Memorial Sculpture
Sculpture Grounded
This sculpture marks the anniversary of the grounding of the ship ‘Pasha Bulker” in fierce storms on 8 June 2007. Grounded is an abstract representation of the ship’s bow. The shape and colour of the sculpture, and its physical placement at Nobbys, will be an important memory marker for the community and a powerful stand-alone work of art. Incorporated into the work is an original section of 22mm plate steel from the rudder of the Pasha Bulker.
The Sculpture Grounded at Nobbys Beach
Newcastle Railway Station
The Newcastle railway station is a heritage-listed railway station. Formerly the main railway station for services to the city, it closed in December 2014. In September 2018, the Newcastle station precinct was reopened as a multipurpose community space branded as The Station.
Newcastle Railway Station
Earp Gillam Bond Store
Now refurbished as an office building, this heritage-listed former bond store at 16 Telford Street was built in 1888. It was the first warehouse of Newcastle merchant firm Earp Gillam & Co., founded in 1883, then-importers of groceries, flour, wine and timber. The warehouse was for the storage and handling of imported goods
Earp Gillam Bond Store
Newcastle Post Office
Built from 1900 to 1903 and added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2000, the Newcastle Post Office is a heritage-listed former post office at 96 Hunter Street . The building has recently changed owners and will now be restored, but is currently disused and access inside is not possible.
Newcastle Post Office
Newcastle War Memorial (Gardner Memorial)
Erected as a fountain in memory of those servicemen killed, or who died in service during World War One, this war memorial is Australia`s first memorial to World War One that incorporated a soldier-statue. Located outside the Old Post Office, it is easy to find.
Newcastle War Memorial (Gardner Memorial)
Newcastle Courthouse
Located at 90 Church Street this beautiful old Art Deco Building is worth visiting even though it no longer in use as a courthouse. The well-maintained facade adds to its architectural appeal. Certainly worth a look.
Newcastle Court House
Former Wickham Infants’ Public School
Located at 64 Hannell Street, Wickham, NSW 2293, the former Wickham Infants School is a significant local landmark in close proximity to the western edge of the Newcastle Harbour. This historically significant building is in the Romanesque style with Gothic influences and was constructed in 1892 . Since the 1980s the building has been associated with the Awabakal community, who recently converted the building for use as office and administration.
Former Wickham Infants’ Public School
Wickham Public School
Built in 1904 and based on the Edwardian style of building Wickham Public School is located at 54 Hannell Street, Wickham NSW 2293. The Public School closed following the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake. In response to the community’s determination to preserve the public school building and find a future purpose, in 1993 the Honeysuckle Development Corporation directed the restoration of the building, adapting its lofty rooms for studio and one bedroom apartments for University of Newcastle students. The grand building was re-occupied in 1995.
Old Wickham Public School
Street Art
There are several places to find street art and sculptures in Newcastle. The full story along with photographs can be found here.
14 Thorn St NewcastleMosaic Laing Street NewcastleStreet Art Laing Street NewcastleThe Painter Street Art Union Lane NewcastleWolf Street Art 424 King St NewcastleSkull Street Art 402 King St NewcastleWaitress Pillar People Street Art
One of the great landmarks in Newcastle, the full story of our visit to the Cathedral can be read here.
Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle
Newcastle Beaches
Great beaches surround Newcastle, from Stockton Beach in the north to Redhead in the south and even the great beaches of the central coast a little further afield. Several of the beaches have ocean baths or pools for a safer swimming experience. Our impressions of the beaches can be found here.
Merewether Beach
Darby Street
Newcastle’s premier eating district, Darby Street offers a large range of coffee shops and eateries from fast food to full table service. This is a very popular area giving variety for everyone. The parking, however, can be a problem in busy times so plan to walk from your parking spot.
Memorial Walk
Located near Bar Beach, Memorial Walk is a tribute to Newcastle’s service personnel. Raised above the cliffs, the walkway gives great views over the coastline.
Placed along the walk are silhouettes of service personnel with the names of the fallen engraved on them. This is a popular walk, there is also wheelchair access at the northern end.
Newcastle Memorial Walk
Civic Park
Situated in the centre of the Newcastle CBD, Civic Park is bordered by council and university buildings on one side and the art gallery and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church on the other.
Newcastle Town Hall From Civic Park
Captain Cook Memorial Fountain
Located as the centrepiece of Civic Park is the James Cook Memorial Fountain, built for the bicentenary of Cook’s voyage to the east coast of Australia. This large water feature is a great place in summer, with seats located around it, and impressive at night when illuminated.
Captain Cook Memorial Fountain
War Memorial
The war memorial was originally dedicated to World War Two service personnel, but has since been re-dedicated to all wars Australia has been involved in. Ceremonies are held here throughout the year on relevant anniversaries.
Newcastle War Memorial
Vietnam and National Service Memorial
The Vietnam and National Service Memorial commemorates the soldiers killed during the Vietnam War. A brass plaque on the memorial provides a brief description of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The rear section of the memorial has a separate memorial to Australia’s National Service and Combined Forces personnel.
Baptist Tabernacle
Located above Civic Park the Baptist Tabernacle is an interesting building but is only open to the public during services.
Baptist Tabernacle
St Andrews Presbyterian Church
Situated across the road from the Baptist Tabernacle, St Andrews is not always open, so you may have to appreciate this building from the outside.
St Andrews Presbyterian Church
Shortland Centenary Fountain
Erected in 1897 by the Mayor David Miller and originally located at Newcastle Beach, this fountain commemorates the centenary (1797-1897) of the European discovery of the area by Lieutenant Shortland. Removed from its original location, it is now located at Christie Park.
Shortland Centenary Fountain
Convict Lumber Yard
The old Convict Lumber Yard sits next to Customs House , which is not far from the old Newcastle Railway Station. Very little of the old site remains, but signs and displays demonstrate what used to happen here
Interesting from a historical perspective its worth a quick view if in the area.
Convict Lumber Yard
Customs House
No longer in use by Australian Border Force, Customs House is now leased as a pub and restaurant. This is a very nice setting with a relaxed atmosphere not far from the CBD and beaches.
While there, admire the beautiful clock tower and the building’s exterior. The pub uses the rooms on the upper floors for events, so if you are lucky to have access you may be available to see inside the tower.
Customs House Newcastle
Foreshore Park
Foreshore Park is a nice grassed are to relax in near the harbour. Originally the site of a power station and train maintenance sheds, there is little to indicate that this now quiet place was once a bustling industrial area.
The power station is completely gone, its location marked by a plaque and while the train sheds still stand, they are used for family gatherings and picnics.
A small lake in the park is the location for the sculpture Resilience, a monument to mental health wellbeing. Not far from here is a small playground where the kids can have fun.
Resilience SculptureTrain Sheds
The Obelisk
Built in 1850 in King Edward Park, the obelisk was used as a marker for ships entering Newcastle Harbour. The area provides great views over the city, with plenty of parking nearby and is close to the Shepherds Hill Complex.
The Obelisk King Edward Park
Shepherds Hill Complex
A relic from World War Two, when the threat of invasion was real, the Shepherd’s Hill Complex was built to defend Newcastle. Consisting of a radar station and gun emplacements, this was an important part of the defence of Australia’s east coast.
These concrete structures can be viewed from outside, but access to the interiors is blocked off with no access. It is an interesting part of the city’s history and worth visiting if you are in the area.
Shepherds Hill Complex
Leading Light Tower
Located on the corner of Brown and Terrell Streets, the lead light was designed to assist shipping navigating Newcastle Harbour. Unfortunately, as the city grew it became obscured from view and has been replaced by new navigation markers.
Designed to look like a medieval tower with battlements it is an interesting and unusual sight not far from Christchurch Cathedral.
Lead Light Tower 34 Brown St.
Stockton Ferry
The Stockton Ferry runs from Queens Wharf in the Newcastle CBD across the harbour to the Stockton Wharf. Running hourly, this ferry service only takes five minutes and is an easy way to travel and quicker than driving. From either side it is easy to see either the inner city and Newcastle beaches or at Stockton the township or breakwater.
