Category: Newcastle

Stockton is an easy drive from Newcastle across the Stockton bridge and Kooragang Island. We parked in the ferry car park and walked from there. There is a great coastal walk along to the breakwater which was the main reason for our visit. Fairly flat and very well maintained, we found it to be a very relaxing easy walk.

About halfway along the breakwall is the wreck of the Adolphe . This has been incorporated into the breakwall along with several other wrecks that are not visible. A viewing platform next to the wrecks allows you to get a good view of what remains of the ship.

From the breakwall there is a great view of Nobbys Headland and lighthouse. We have walked Nobby’s many times but this was a totally different perspective of a classic Newcastle landmark.

Tank Traps on Beach

Rough seas and high tides have uncovered relics from World War Two on Stockton Beach. Placed here to impede any attempted invasion these concrete tetrahedrons are tank traps from the 1940s. Visible at low tide, they are an interesting sight stretching along the beach.

Shipwrecks at the Stockton Bridge

On our way home we stopped near the Stockton Bridge. There is a rack of boats that looked interesting as well as the wrecks of several boats in the water. Best seen at low tide, the wrecks are badly corroded, but make an interesting sight. The wreck closest to shore is the Kate Tatham, a barquentine that carried cargo between Australia and New Zealand. Run aground here in 1922, then abandoned and left to decay. The wreck furthest from shore is iron-screw steamer Sylvan.

If you are in Newcastle and don’t want to drive around to Stockton take the ferry from Honeysuckle and then walk to the breakwall.

To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.

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