During 2020, the Newcastle City Council, organised the Big Picture Festival that added 12 beautiful artworks to the cities’ buildings. They are all within easy walking distance of each other, and a Council map make them easy to find.
We walked around the streets to look at the murals, often crossing to the other side of the road to get a better perspective.
Map of Newcastle Street Art
Civic Lane Facing Museum Park
Civic Lane Facing Museum Park by Fintan Magee
2. Civic Theatre Facing NUSpace
Civic Theatre Facing NUSpace by Bronte Naylor
3. Rear of University House Facing NuSpace
Rear of University House Facing NuSpace by Inari
4. Corner of Union and King, Besties Car Park
Corner of Union and King, Besties Car Park by Vans the Omega
5. 158 King St Just Down From Popolo
158 King St Just Down From Popolo by Ellie Hannon
6. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
7. Foghorn Brewery
Foghorn Brewery by Olas One
8. Corner of Union and King
Corner of King and Union by Jordan Lucky
9. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park by Sophia Flegg
10. 148 King St Facing Brown St
148 King St Just Down From Popolo by Jasmin Craciun
11. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park by Tom Henderson
Located in Catherine Hill Bay South of Newcastle, Ghosties Beach and the Rainbow Cave (also called Ghosties Beach Cave) are an amazing place to visit, because of their beautiful colours and setting. We parked near Moonee Beach, as we were also visiting the Pink Cave. Parking is limited near the beach access trail, as the road is narrow. However, a small area of the one-way road is wider to allow cars to park. A sign indicates the way to the beach.
Moonee Beach
At the end of the track, you come out at Moonee Beach, an 800m long sandy beach with rock platforms at each end. At 800m long, there is plenty of room for everyone, so it’s unlikely to get crowded. Swimming is not advised, because the beach is not patrolled. While there we saw a lot of marine stingers washed up on the sand, which we were careful not to step on. Be careful, as the sting can still work even if they are dead. This is another reason to be careful swimming here.
Portuguese Man o’ War or Marine Stinger
The Track Down to Moonee Beach
Ghosties Beach
Ghosties Beach is to the south of Moonee Beach, which is an enjoyable walk, being 1600m to the cave entrance. At the south end of Moonee Beach is Flat Rocks Point, which has some interesting rock formations near the water’s edge. Walk over the sand dunes and down to Ghosties on the other side. Here you will find a lovely, secluded beach, with tree covered cliffs. One section of the beach has green algae covered boulders, which look amazing.
Next to the boulders, is a small rock outcrop has a coal seam exposed, with its black colour contrasting to the yellow sand.
Ghosties Beach
Looking towards the Rainbow Cave Entrance on Ghosties Beach
An Exposed Coal Seam on Ghosties Beach
Rocks on Ghosties Beach
The Rainbow Cave
A fissure in the cliff at the south end of the beach marks the entrance to the Rainbow Cave, making it easy to find. Only access the cave at low tide, otherwise it is too dangerous to enter. Check the tide times before you go, to make sure the tide it low.
The fissure leads into a sea cave with amazing rock colours, because of the way they have been eroded. From inside the cave, you are able to look out of the sea cave over the ocean and the nearby cliffs.
There is another sea cave further to the south but even at low tide it was too dangerous to enter.
Entrance to Rainbow Cave
Looking Out the Sea Cave Entrance
Inside the Rainbow Cave
Looking Out Of the Entrance to Rainbow Cave
What Did We Think?
This was a great place to visit, because of the amazing colours of the cave and the beautiful views along the beach. Remember to only visit at low tide.
Another great place to visit is the Pink Cave on the Moonee Beach Rock Platform
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Located in the Newcastle suburb of Carrington, the hydraulic pump house is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment. Fortunately, the front of the building has been completed, which means you are able to enjoy this historic building even as works are underway.
Parking is available in Bourke St, just past the entrance to the Newcastle Port Corporation entrance, which is very convenient.
Completed in 1878, the pump house provided hydraulic and later electrical power for cranes loading ships with coal. Decommissioned after the introduction of conveyor loading technology in the late 1960’s the building fell into disrepair. With its internal machinery removed and attendant cranes demolished, it lay abandoned until the current refurbishment.
Port of Newcastle Sign Near the EntranceCarrington Hydraulic Pump HouseFront of the Building with the Blueprint Design in the ForecourtWork Still On-Going on the Back and Sides of the Building
Decorating the forecourt is a giant blueprint of the pumping systems originally installed here. A large section of concrete has been painted blue, with the design etched into it. This unique design added more interest to our visit because we were not expecting it.
Blueprint Design in the Forecourt of the Pump House
This was a fun and easy place to visit and will be even better once the current work is finished.
