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Civic Park Newcastle NSW Australia

Newcastle Town Hall From Civic Park

Civic Park Newcastle

Civic Park

Civic Park is bordered by council buildings on one side and the art gallery and St Andrews Presbyterian Church on the other, while situated in the centre of the Newcastle CBD. A great place to relax, or take a casual walk around, because it’s quiet with plenty of places to sit.

Newcastle Town Hall From Civic Park
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 and mapping of the east coast of Australia. In 1770, Lieutenant (later captain) James Cook claimed the east coast for the British Crown, naming it New South Wales. 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 Civic Park Newcastle
Captain Cook Memorial Fountain

War Memorial Grove

Developed from a community desire to honour servicemen and women killed during the world wars, the War Memorial Garden is in a corner of Civic Park, opposite the Art Gallery. Constructed from public and private funds, some of the money with some coming from families with relatives commemorated on each of the 68 plaques featured throughout the garden.

Volunteer members of the New Lambton Heights Garden Club undertook much of the work, a relationship which is continued today.

A quiet area for reflection, it’s worth wandering through to pay your respects.

  • Royal Australian Air Force Memorial
    Royal Australian Air Force Memorial
  • Vietnam Memorial
    Vietnam Memorial
  • Navy Memorial
    Navy Memorial
  • Memorial Plaques
    Memorial Plaques

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, so there may be one happening when you visit.

Civic Park War Memorial
Civic Park 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.

Vietnam War Memorial Civic Park Newcastle
Vietnam War Memorial

Newcastle Art Gallery

Located above Civic Park on Layman Street, the Art Gallery often hosts exhibitions throughout the year. In addition, the Gallery owns an impressive collection of Australian paintings. To read more about our visit to the Newcastle Art Gallery, click here.

Newcastle Art Gallery Entrance
Newcastle Art Gallery Entrance

Baptist Tabernacle

Located above Civic Park the Baptist Tabernacle is an interesting building but is only open to the public during services.

Baptist Tabernacle
Baptist Tabernacle

St Andrew’s 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. Even if it’s closed, the building is worth admiring for its architectural value.

St Andrews Presbyterian Church
St Andrews Presbyterian Church

Old Newcastle City Administration Centre The Roundhouse

Currently undergoing a redevelopment to a five star hotel, the old Newcastle Administration Centre originally opened in 1977. The design was a collaborative effort between Architects Romberg & Boyd and Wilson & Suters. The architectural style is Brutalist, for it’s striking design.

Newcastle Council Chambers
Newcastle Council Chambers

Newcastle City Hall

Built in 1929 to house the newly created Newcastle City Council, this beautiful building is now a multi-purpose Function/Conference venue. Located opposite Civic Park on King Street, the building is an example of Inter-War Academic Classical architecture.

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
Shortland Centenary Fountain

What Did We think?

Newcastle Civic Park is a great place to visit, because of its many memorials and beautiful buildings. It’s a relaxing place to wander around, while enjoying the manicured gardens and visit the Art Gallery. When you have finished, Derby Street with its cafes and restaurants is right next door.

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

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Newcastle Art Gallery New South Wales Australia

The Open and Spacious Second Floor

Newcastle Art Gallery

Located in Laman Street Cooks Hill above Civic Park, the Newcastle Art Gallery contains an impressive art collection, primarily Australian artists. Limited display area restricts the number of art works on display, but a rotation ensures new works every few months.

The large sculpture of a nest and giant egg mark the entrance to the gallery, making it easy to find.

The gallery often displays special exhibits, which adds another reason to visit. During our last visit, the exhibit was Between Two Worlds, which featured works of art produced by Australian artists of Chinese heritage.

Newcastle Art Gallery Entrance
Newcastle Art Gallery Entrance

Permanent Collection

The gallery’s collection consists of over 6,500 items, covering areas of ceramics, painting, photography, prints & drawings, sculpture and video & new media. Works from colonial to the present are represented, from local, Australian and several international artists.

  • Foyer Ceiling Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
    Foyer Ceiling
  • Painting From the Permanent Collection
    Painting From the Permanent Collection
  • Painting From the Permanent Collection
    Painting From the Permanent Collection

Between Two Worlds

This was a great exhibit to walk around, because of the variety and quality of the works. Unfortunately, it has now finished, but a new one by George Gittoes is on display until mid-April 2020.

  • Foyer Ceiling Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
    Foyer Ceiling Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
  • Untitled by Guo Jian
    Untitled by Guo Jian
  • Bronze Power Dragon by Guan Wei
    Bronze Power Dragon by Guan Wei
  • The Open and Spacious Second Floor
    The Open and Spacious Second Floor
  • Samurai Painting Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
    Samurai Painting Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
  • Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
    Part of the Between Two Worlds Exhibit
  • Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
    Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
  • Newcastle Art Gallery Exhibit
    Between Two Worlds Exhibit

Newcastle Art Gallery Sculpture Garden

Don’t forget to look at the sculpture garden while at the art gallery. Access is via a door near the toilets, to the left of the main entrance. With under a dozen sculptures, it is small, but still interesting and worth walking around to enjoy the displays.

  • Newcastle Art Gallery Sculpture Garden
    Newcastle Art Gallery Sculpture Garden
  • Sculpture by Margel Hinder
    Sculpture by Margel Hinder
  • Submarine 1993 by Edward Milan
    Submarine 1993 by Edward Milan
  • Two Forms 1958 by Kathleen Shillam
    Two Forms 1958 by Kathleen Shillam
  • Skyscraper by Vlase Nikoleski
    Skyscraper by Vlase Nikoleski
  • Beacon 1992 by Akio Makigawa
    Beacon 1992 by Akio Makigawa
  • Mary Magdalene 1978 by George Bladessin
    Mary Magdalene 1978 by George Bladessin

New Displays in September 2020

When we re-visited in September 2020, there were new exhibits on display from the Gallery’s collection, along with this year’s Kilgour Prize entrants. We had an enjoyable time looking at the artwork.

  • Newcastle Art Gallery
    Newcastle Art Gallery
  • Marion Borgelt - Liquid Light Horizontal Triptych No. 1
    Marion Borgelt – Liquid Light Horizontal Triptych No. 1

Kilgour Prize 2020 – On Display Until November 2020

In 1987, artist Jack Kilgour bequeathed funds for the creation of a major figurative and portrait art competition to be run in perpetuity at Newcastle Art Gallery. Today, the Kilgour Prize is one of Australia’s major art prizes, and awards $50,000 for the most outstanding work of art as determined by a panel of three judges, and $5,000 for the People’s Choice Award, as determined by votes from the public.

For figurative and Portrait Painting

  • The Kilgour Prize 2020
    The Kilgour Prize 2020
  • Kenneth Lambert - I See Myself Reflected in You
    Kenneth Lambert – I See Myself Reflected in You
  • Jordan Richardson - The Dunce
    Jordan Richardson – The Dunce
  • Oliver Shepherd - The Proposal (Portrait of the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CGM)
    Oliver Shepherd – The Proposal (Portrait of the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CGM)
  • Daniel Butterworth - Self Waiting For Life To Happen Number Two
    Daniel Butterworth – Self Waiting For Life To Happen Number Two

What Did We Think?

A great place to visit and because the exhibits change regularly, a great place to go back to. Well laid out, it offers ample opportunities for photographs.

Our photos are available for purchase on

As we do not have copyright permission for any of the artworks shown here, none of these photos are for sale. However, photos from many of our other stories can be found on Shutterstock.

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

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Australian Army Infantry Museum

Matilda Tank Outside the Australian Army Infantry Museum

Australian Army Infantry Museum

Only a ten-minute drive south of Singleton in the Hunter Valley, the Australian Army Infantry Museum showcases the history of Australia’s infantry men and women from colonial times to the present.

Entry is free for Australian Defence Force members, with a modest $8.00 fee for adults (2020) and discounts for children and pensioners.

Located adjacent to the Lone Pine Barracks, the museum has a new car park with plenty of parking spaces.

The Museum

Housed in a new, state of the art, purpose-built building, the museum is a huge improvement on the previous building. The display hall is large, spacious and has sombre lighting. Professionally curated, the displays tell the story of Australian Infantry, their equipment, training and deployments.

The museum also houses a cafe, where you can purchase drinks snacks and light meals.

Outside Displays

In the outside courtyard a Matilda Tank and a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle an Australian-built four-wheel drive armoured vehicle.

Matilda Tank Outside the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Matilda Tank Outside the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Bushmaster
Bushmaster

Entrance

The entrance has a beautiful wall of remembrance, covered in poppies and listing the names of those fallen in battle.

The first exhibit that greets visitors is a huge bronze sculpture of an infantryman, which makes a great first impression.

Wall of Remembrance
Wall of Remembrance
Infantryman Statue Australian Army Infantry Museum
Infantryman Statue

Ground Floor Displays

The ground floor contains exhibits that cover heavy equipment the infantry used, from field-guns and personnel carriers to a helicopter. The walls contain display cases showing operational deployments, from Sudan in 1885 through to current commitments.

Universal Carrier
Universal Carrier
Pak 38 German Anti-Tank Gun
Pak 38 German Anti-Tank Gun
Equipment Display
Equipment Display
M113A1 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle Australian Army Infantry Museum
M113A1 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle
Bell UH-1 Iroquois
Bell UH-1 Iroquois

Upper Floor

Exhibits on the upper floor range from personal weapons such as rifles and grenades to uniforms and mortars. All of the exhibits are accompanied by explanations, which give excellent context to the displays. The displays show how they have developed and influenced the tactics, techniques and procedures of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.

Weapons Display at the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Weapons Display at the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Weapons Display at the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Weapons Display at the Australian Army Infantry Museum
Uniform Display
Uniform Display
Uniform Display

What did We Think?

If you are travelling through the area, this is an excellent museum to visit. It provides a history of Australian Infantry, without glorifying war. It shows how the army has evolved from colonial times to the present, illustrating it with very professional displays.

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

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