Destination's Journey

Category: Newcastle

  • Newcastle Museum New South Wales

    Newcastle Museum New South Wales

    Newcastle Museum

    Founded in 1988 and relocated to its current building in 2011, Newcastle Museum preserves the history of Newcastle. Situated in Honeysuckle and occupying old railway workshops, the museum opens Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays, except in school holidays, the museum is a great place to visit There is no cost to visit the museum.

    How To Get There

    Car parks on Wright lane and Honeysuckle Drive provide a convenient place to leave the car. These are pay-for-use parks, with ticket machines to buy tickets from. IF you are using light rail, the closest station is Civic.

    Newcastle Museum Displays

    Outside Displays

    Several of the Museum’s displays are located outside the main building. They are easy to find, one being a camel sculpture and another a huge dragline bucket. The building itself has historical importance, previously used as a railway workshop.

    Camel Sculpture Outside the Museum
    Camel Sculpture Outside the Museum

    Link Gallery

    Located between the old Boiler Shop and Erecting Shed, the Link Gallery holds some of the larger exhibits in the museum’s collection. These include “The Buck” an 1870 J&A Brown Locomotive No4 and the 1890 pipe organ formerly installed in St Augustine’s Church, Merewether.

    The Buck an 0-6-0 Saddle Tank
    The Buck an 0-6-0 Saddle Tank
    The Buck an 0-6-0 Saddle Tank
    The Buck an 0-6-0 Saddle Tank

    Fire and Earth

    Illustrating Newcastle’s industrial past, this gallery has exhibits from the old BHP Steel Works and coal mines. The multi-level displays allow you to view them from different angles and appreciate these industries and the people who worked them.

    Coal Loader (Jeffrey 44dd)
    Coal Loader (Jeffrey 44dd)

    Supernova

    Founded by Professor Tim Roberts in the late 1970s, Supernova is a hands-on science experience for kids and interested adults. This area explores different aspects of science, allowing you to experiment and understand them with easy activities. An excellent place to learn about science while having fun.

    The Globe in Supernova
    The Globe in Supernova

    A Newcastle Story

    This area of the museum explores how Newcastle changed over time, from the original Aboriginal inhabitants, to the World War 2 shelling by a Japanese submarine to the earthquake of 1989.

    Dedicated to the George and Richard Owens Collection, one room is full of colourful boxes and containers. This beautiful collection shows how brands were sold and presented in the past.

    Newcastle Tram 284
    Newcastle Tram 284
    George and Richard Owens Collection
    George and Richard Owens Collection
    World War One Uniforms Newcastle Museum
    World War One Uniforms
    Axe Heads and Hammer Stone
    Axe Heads and Hammer Stone
    Fossilized Backbone Newcastle Museum
    Fossilized Backbone

    Model T Ford

    Illustrating a problem many museums have is a rusty Model T Ford. Should it be left as found, or restored to its original condition? Would restoring it destroy its history and possibly lose important data?

    Model T Ford Newcastle Museum
    Model T Ford

    What Did We Think?

    We were surprised by the quality of the exhibits and had a great walking through the galleries. Anyone visiting Newcastle should visit the museum to help appreciate the city’s past. Well worth the visit!

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    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

  • Newcastle Street Art

    Newcastle Street Art

    There are several places to find street art in Newcastle, although it is not as widespread as in other cities. In the city centre there is a collection in Morgan and Newcomen streets.

    Civic Lane near the old Civic Railway Station also has some interesting art works on the backs of some buildings.

    Further afield, you can find some great pieces at Hamilton and Wallsend.

    In addition to the street art, Newcastle has some amazing sculptures scattered around the city, so keep an eye out for them.

    New Street Art March 2021

    • Street Art in Darby Street
      Street Art in Darby Street
    • Street Art on Steel St
      Street Art on Steel St
    • Street Art on Steel St
      Street Art on Steel St Newcastle

    City Centre Street Art

    • Street Art Morgan St Newcastle
      Street Art Morgan St
    • Motorbike Street Art 3 Morgan St Newcastle
      Motorbike Street Art 3 Morgan St
    • Sushi Street Art Morgan St Newcastle
      Sushi Street Art Morgan St
    • Bird Street Art 3 Morgan St Newcastle
      Bird Street Art 3 Morgan St Newcastle
    • Street Art 14 Thorn St Newcastle
      14 Thorn St Newcastle
    • Old Masonic Lodge 14 Thorn St Newcastle
      Old Masonic Lodge 14 Thorn St Newcastle
    • Street Art Thorn St Newcastle
      Street Art Thorn St Newcastle
    • Street Art Laing Street Newcastle
      Mosaic Laing Street Newcastle
    • Street Art Laing Street Newcastle
      Mosaic Laing Street Newcastle
    • Street Art Laing Street Newcastle
      Street Art Laing Street Newcastle
    • The Painter Street Art Union Lane Newcastle
      The Painter Street Art Union Lane Newcastle
    • The Cleaner Street Art Union Lane Newcastle
      The Cleaner Street Art Union Lane Newcastle
    • Old Post Office Sculpture Cnr Hunter and Bolton Streets Newcastle
      Old Post Office Sculpture Cnr Hunter and Bolton Streets Newcastle
    • Street Art
      Street Art 525 Hunter St
    • Raging Bull Street Art
      Raging Bull Street Art TAFE NSW Hunter St
    • David Bowie Street Art
      David Bowie Street Art Hunter St.
    • Wolf Street Art 424 King St Newcastle
      Wolf Street Art 424 King St Newcastle
    • Skull Street Art 402 King St Newcastle
      Skull Street Art 402 King St Newcastle
    • Rear of Rydges Newcastle, Workshop Way
      Rear of Rydges Newcastle, Workshop Way
    • Carpark Art
      Carpark Art 291 King St

    Newcastle’s Pillar People

    One of Newcastle’s initiatives to brighten up the city centre, is the Pillar People. These telecommunications pillars have been cleverly painted to represent local identities, or reflect the businesses they are located near.

    There are over a dozen of them, see if you can find them all.

    • Pillar People Postman
      Pillar People Postman
    • Pillar People Judge
      Pillar People Judge
    • Pillar People Groom in Penguin Suit
      Groom in Penguin Suit
    • Pillar People
      Pillar People
    • Pillar People Double Bass
      Pillar People Double Bass
    • Pillar People Super G
      Super G
    • Pillar People The Bride
      Pillar People The Bride
    • Pillar People The Bride
      Pillar People The Bride
    • The Pillar People Policeman and Dog
      Policeman and Dog Pillar People
    • The Pillar People Chef
      The Pillar People Chef
    • The Pillar People Cnr Hunter and Watt Streets
      The Pillar People Cnr Hunter and Watt Streets
    • Pillar People Street Art Outside Frontline Hobbies Hunter St
    • Waitress Pillar People Street Art
      Waitress Pillar People
    • Lord Mayor Joy Cumming Pillar People Street Art
      Lord Mayor Joy Cumming Pillar People
    • Pillar People Ice Skater
      Pillar People Ice Skater
    • Pillar People Ice Skater
      Pillar People Ice Skater

    Painted Power Boxes

    In a similar initiative to the Pillar People, electrical boxes around the city have been decorated with nautical themes. They brighten up an otherwise dull box. Look for the amusing mice, painted on some.

    • Angelfish Power Box
      Angelfish Power Box
    • Angelfish Power Box
      Angelfish Power Box
    • Seal Power Box
      Seal Power Box
    • Power Box
      Power Box
    • Penguin Power Box
      Penguin Power Box
    • Penguin Power Box
      Penguin Power Box
    • Deep Sea Power Box
      Deep Sea Power Box
    • Angel Fish Power Box
      Angel Fish Power Box
    • Hammerhead Shark Power Box
      Hammerhead Shark Power Box
    • Dolphin Power Box
      Dolphin Power Box
    • Octopus Power Box
      Octopus Power Box
    • Yellow Roses Power Box
      Yellow Roses Power Box
    • White Roses Power Box
      White Roses Power Box
    • White Roses Power Box
      White Roses Power Box
    • Purple Roses Power Box
      Purple Roses Power Box
    • BNB Powerbox
      BNB Powerbox
    • Library Power Box
      Library Power Box
    • Chinese Dragon Power Box
      Chinese Dragon Power Box
    • Telephone Power Box
      Telephone Power Box
    • Apartment Power Box
      Apartment Power Box
    • Apartment Power Box
      Apartment Power Box
    • Telephone Power Box
      Telephone Power Box
    • Wally Wombat Power Box
      Wally Wombat Power Box

    Newcastle Sculptures

    • Climbers Sculptures 434 King St Newcastle
      Climbers Sculptures 434 King St Newcastle
    • Sculpture Evolution 1 Scott St Newcastle
      Sculpture Evolution 1 Scott St Newcastle
    • Paparazzi Sculpture 364 Hunter St Newcastle
      Paparazzi Sculpture 364 Hunter St Newcastle
    • Joy Cummins Statue Lord Mayor of Newcastle 1974-84, and Australia's first female Lord Mayor
      Joy Cummins Statue Lord Mayor of Newcastle 1974-84, and Australia’s first female Lord Mayor Civic Station

    Destiny Monument

    Located on Newcastle Harbour on Dyke Point, Carrington, the Destiny Monument is difficult to reach because of its location. Dyke Point is part of the Newcastle Port Authority’s operating area with no public access permitted. The closest viewpoint from land is the Honeysuckle Footpath at Honeysuckle, where you can look across the harbour to the statue.

    This nine metre tall bronze statue commemorates the 200th anniversary of Newcastle Port operations and was inspired by the figureheads of early sailing ships.

    Destiny Statue on Newcastle Harbour
    Destiny Statue on Newcastle Harbour

    Hamilton and Wallsend Street Art

    Located further from the city centre, these art works a more difficult to get to, as you will need a car. If driving past them, they are worth a stop to admire, as they brighten up and add interest to otherwise dull buildings.

    • Elephant Street Art
      Elephant Street Art 8 Donald St, Hamilton
    • Donald St Hamilton Opposite the Veterinary Clinic
      Donald St Hamilton Opposite the Veterinary Clinic
    • Donald St Hamilton Opposite the Veterinary Clinic
      Donald St Hamilton Opposite the Veterinary Clinic
    • Aboriginal Themed Artwork Smith Park 31 Boreas Rd, Hamilton North
      Aboriginal Themed Artwork Smith Park 31 Boreas Rd, Hamilton North
    • Aboriginal Themed Artwork Smith Park 31 Boreas Rd, Hamilton North
      Aboriginal Themed Artwork Smith Park 31 Boreas Rd, Hamilton North
    • Hofmann Engineering 44 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow
      Hofmann Engineering 44 Broadmeadow Rd, Broadmeadow
    • Ye Olde Pub Artwork Cnr Metcalfe and Thomas Streets Wallsend
      Ye Olde Pub Artwork Cnr Metcalfe and Thomas Streets Wallsend

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

  • Our Town Model Show Newcastle 2019

    Our Town Model Show Newcastle 2019

    Our Town Model Show

    An annual event held at the Newcastle Jockey Club, Our Town Model Show  caters for a wide range of hobbies from model trains and planes to doll houses and boats. Anyone interested in models making or collecting will enjoy this event, because everyone who attends is passionate about their hobby.

    Model Trains

    There was a great display of trains running with amazingly well detailed dioramas. The effort that went into constructing them was outstanding, making it just as interesting as the trains were.

    • Railway Model
      Railway Model
    • Railway Model
      Diorama Railway Model
    • Railway Model
      Railway Model

    Model Ships

    The model boat displays were truly awesome. On static display was a range of 72 scale destroyers and other ships by Task Force 72. At around 2 m long, these huge models are amazingly detailed replicas of the original ship.

    There was an indoor pond displaying remote controlled boats, which we found extremely interesting, because of the variety and detail of the ships. Many of them were zooming around, especially the tugboats which were very manoeuvrable. At 1:100 scale, these models show the dedication their owners give to their hobby to produce such great replicas.

    • HMAS Hobart by Task Force 72
      HMAS Hobart by Task Force 72
    • Indoor Pool and Remote Controlled Ships
      Indoor Pool and Remote Controlled Ships
    • HMAS Tobruk (L 50)
      HMAS Tobruk (L 50)
    • A Ship on the Inside Pool
      A Ship on the Inside Pool

    Model Aircraft

    Model aircraft were present in a huge array covering all eras of flight and different scales. There was a huge display showing the skills of the model builders.

    Scale Model Aircraft Display at Our Town Model Fair
    Scale Model Aircraft Display
    • Large Remote Controlled Tiger Tank
      Large Remote Controlled Tiger Tank

    Science Fiction Models

    Science fiction models from Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and Gundam were on display, making an interesting alternative to the “real world” models elsewhere at the Our Town Model Show.

    • Gundam Models at the Our Town Model Fair Newcastle
      Gundam Models

    Die Cast Models

    An extensive display of Corgi and other brands of cars, buses and machinery catered for collectors of die-cast models.

    • Corgi Bus Display at Our Town Model Fair Newcastle
      Corgi Bus Display
    • Cars Models at Town Model Fair Newcastle
      Cars Models

    Hobby Supplies For Sale

    For anyone interested in adding to their hobby Frontline Hobbies had a huge stall with models for sale, which was great if inspiration struck you to build something as you walked around the displays.

    A second had stall selling deceased estates was doing a good trade in model kits for anyone looking for some older models at a cheaper price.

    Tools and accessories were available from Tinkering Tools, who had a large
    range of high-quality products for sale.

    If you got hungry, the NJC has its cafe operating and coffee snacks and meals were available

    Parking was excellent on site and free, which was great and the walking distance to the fair was very short.

    The entry fee of $10 each was good value for a few hours of entertainment and profits were donated to Benwerrin Rural Fire Service, so a good cause was supported too.

    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

    Our photos are available for purchase on