No longer used by the military, Fort Scratchley is now a memorial to the servicemen and women who served there. During World War Two, the Japanese submarine I-21 attempted to shell Newcastle and the BHP Steel Works. Fortunately most of the shells missed or failed to explode with no-one hurt and only minor damage caused. Fort Scratcheley returned fire but failed to hit the submarine. In doing so, it became the only Australian fort to fire on an enemy ship.
Regularly fired by volunteers, two of the original guns are still in place. Most of the original buildings and tunnels are intact and can be viewed, with guided tours of the tunnels also available.
Now a heritage site, the fort’s buildings and guns from World War Two are still intact. Still operational, the guns are fired each day by volunteers. The upperworks and buildings are free to walk around, but a tour of the tunnels require a ticket as it is a guided tour.
As well as the fortifications, the views over Newcastle and the nearby beaches are fantastic.
Fort Exterior Displays
On entering the fort, you are free to enter all areas apart from the underground tunnels. As the tunnel tours are timed, we booked one and then went exploring the remainder of the fort. At the top of the hill, the 6-inch guns that fired on the I-21 can be seen and you are able to get close to them.
Older muzzle loading guns have been returned to the fort and re-sited where they used to be. The size of the 80-pound cannon really has to be seen to understand how massive it is.
Outside wall of Fort ScratchleyThe fort’s buildings on the upper level80 Pound muzzle Loading cannon over looking the harbour6-inch Nark VII gunsView over Nobbys Beach to the Harbour entrance
Display Rooms
Rooms that used to house soldiers now serve as display rooms showing the history of the fort. A full room is dedicated to Sir Peter Scratcheley who the fort is named after. Another room has a model of the I-21 and some of the shells fired that night.
Display of Sir Peter ScratchleyWeapons displayUniform DisplayWomen’s uniform displayStar shell fired by I-21 on 8 June 1942Model of the Japanese submarine I-21The fort’s gaol
The Tunnels
The highlight of the trip was the tunnel tour which takes you under the fort and into its working areas. The guide was great and full of information about the fort’s past and how it worked. From the magazines that used to store the fort’s ammunition to the gun emplacements it was a comprehensive tour. We were able to get close to most of the guns to get a detailed look.
One of the tunnels, a safety light and stairs leading outOne of the fort’s tunnelsNordenfelt 1 1/2 inch gunThe disappearing gun’s pit. Now covered80 pounder muzzle loading cannonShells in the magazine8 Inch breach loading gunHow the disappearing guns worked
What Did We Think?
This was a great place to visit, because it’s full of local history and amazingly restored guns and displays. Well worth the visit.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Located in the Wollemi National Park the Newnes Industrial Ruins is a heritage listed collection of decaying ruins of a once thriving shale oil processing plant. Established in 1902 and closed in 1932 due to the availability of cheaper crude oil, all that remain are decaying buildings and processing plant. The area is great for bushwalking with great tracks to the ruins and the surrounding area.
Getting There
The drive from Lithgow to the ruins takes a little over an hour, or three hours from Sydney. Road quality varies from excellent sealed road, narrow winding road down to the Wolgan Valley and dirt road for the final 12km. The views from the road as you descend from the top are amazing but, unfortunately there are few spots to stop and take advantage of them.
Where To stay
Accommodation is available through the Newnes Hotel which has five self contained cabins. The hotel itself does not offer rooms and no longer operates as a hotel. You will need to brings your own food and drinks.
Camping is available at two spots on either side of Wolgan River, but you will need a four-wheel drive to cross to the far side. Booking for campsites is through New South Wales Parks and Wildlife.
We chose to stay in one of the cabins which proved to be very comfortable, with a comfortable bed and nice shower. You do need to bring your own bedding including sheets, blankets and pillows. You will also need to bring all food and drinks as there isn’t a kiosk on site.
View from our cabin balconyCabin No.4Cabin No.3The five cabins
Newnes Hotel
On arrival, we went to the Newnes Hotel to collect our keys. the owner also gave us a booklet with information on the area and a list of the walks available. From here we went to our cabin and unpacked before exploring.
Scattered around the Hotel area are some relicts of the past. Some old rail cars line the road to the river crossing and some old buildings are near the river bank. Across the road from the Hotel is a great view of the Wolgan River. With the recent rain it was flowing well.
Newness Industrial Ruins MapNewness HotelThe Wolgan RiverOld railway carOld railway carTable and seat near the Wolgan River
Newnes Industrial Ruins Walk
Deciding to walk to the ruins first, we headed to the river crossing. As we were walking, we waded across, as the stepping stones were under water and did not look safe. If driving, you will need a four-wheel-drive to cross the river. Otherwise, leave your car at the crossing and walk across.
From the river to the start of the track takes around 30 minutes. It is flat and well graded, so an easy walk.
A locked gate is at the start of the walk along with a detailed map of the industrial ruins. The first ruins are the most interesting, a row of brick bee hive kilns. There are still 13 kilns in good condition with the other 80 odd kilns in various states of decay.
Also in the area are the remains of retaining walls and ruined buildings. It takes about two hours to walk around and take in the atmosphere of the place.
Wolgan River CrossingUnstable stepping stone over the Wolgan RiverTrack to the Industrial ruinsPart of the ruins walking trackBeehive kilnsDamaged beehive kiln showing the interiorIntact beehive kilnThe surrounding mountains Fireplace and chimney ruinOld brick steps in the industrial areaSign near the ruins detailing the operationRemains of the industrial area, now just ruinsOld industrial area brick wallWhat used to be the railway sidingEscarpment
Philosophers Walk
This walk starts at the far side of the camp ground, where it crosses Little Wolgan Creek. As we were staying in the cabin, we walked the short distance to the creek early in the morning. Crossing the creek was easy, but after rain, and with a higher water level, it might be difficult without getting wet.
Heading uphill, the first section of the track is steep and rocky in places, but with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Little piles of stones mark the way, and the track had recently been cleared, so it was easy to follow. Along the way we passed small rock overhangs and tiny caves, but didn’t see anything inside.
At the top of the hill you are rewarded with views over the forest, river and out to Mystery Mountain. After recovering from the uphill walk, we set off for the return leg, which was all downhill.
The Return Leg
Walking past the ruins of the manager’s house all we saw were old brick stairs, but not far away were two old Zephyr cars. A manager left them here and after several bushfires and forest regrowth they are rusty wrecks surrounded by trees.
This was a great walk with views through trees to the mountains, old ruins and rusty cars. With more time we would have added the Hidden Valley walk, but will do that on our next visit.
Camping ground surrounded by bush and mountainsThe Philosopher’s Walk trackSteps on the The Philosopher’s WalkRocks to climb over on the Philosopher’s WalkOld brick steps at the manager’s residenceTwo rusted out Zephyrs in the bush near the manager’s residencePhilosopher’s Walk
School Ruins Walk
Starting behind the cabins, this short walk takes you through trees and across a small creek to what is left of the old school. Time, weather, and bushfires have left only brick chimneys and scattered bricks to show where the school once stood. It was hard to imagine that a small town once stood here that required a school, when there is so little of it left.
Dry stone wall in Capertee CreekSchool house ruinsThe surrounding mountains and eucalyptsSome of the surrounding bush and mountains
What Did We Think?
We loved it here and could have stayed longer, because there are so many more walks to do. We would have liked to the walk to Hidden Valley and the Glow Worm Tunnels, but just didn’t have the time. With the old industrial ruins, great bush walking and amazing accommodation, this was a great visit.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
This interesting little walk is not far from Seal Rocks on the New South Wales Mid-North Coast. Around an hour and 45 minutes north of Newcastle, the Neranie Cemetery Walk is a good spot to stop for a break. The sign for the start of the walk is old and hard to see, but is just after the turn off to the Neranie camp ground.
The 350m walk to the cemetery is uphill and was overgrown with long grass when we visited. Although we didn’t see any snakes, they might be a problem on a hot day if the grass is long.
The remaining monuments in the cemetery date from the late 19th to early 20th century, which coincides with the time a sawmill operated in the area. Now abandoned and heritage listed, it has a great view over the Myall Lakes.
This was an easy walk with an interesting cemetery at the end. Parking was easy in a small, cleared area, but it’s an easy place to miss if you are not careful.
Faded Sign PostThe Overgrown Track Neranie CemeteryHeadstone in the Cemetery
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
