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We Can Be Heroes Newcastle Art Gallery

We Can Be Heroes at Newcastle Art Gallery

We Can Be Heroes Newcastle Art Gallery

We Can Be Heroes is a photographic exhibition by Australia’s best music photographers, making it a must see for music fans. On display at the Newcastle Art Gallery until 14 February 2021.

From local talent to international superstars, there will someone you recognise. Artists such as David Bowie, The Preachers and Midnight Oil were on display. We had a great time walking around the displays, because it not only shows artists on stage, but also shows behind the scenes shots.

Silverchair’s Neon Ballroom is there, along with chairs to sit on in front of it. A wall covered in promotional posters for shows was interesting to look at, because you could see adds for shows from the past.

This display takes up the top floor, as this is where the special exhibitions go. The lower floor was not accessible, because the gallery was rotating its display, bringing some its stored items out, which will be nice to see when completed.

Big Picture Festival 2020 Newcastle Street Art

Corner of King and Union

2020 Big Picture Festival Newcastle Street Art

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 Big Picture Festival
Map of Newcastle Street Art
  1. Civic Lane Facing Museum Park
Civic Lane Facing Museum Park Big Picture Festival
Civic Lane Facing Museum Park by Fintan Magee

2. Civic Theatre Facing NUSpace

Civic Theatre Facing NUSpace
Civic Theatre Facing NUSpace by Bronte Naylor

3. Rear of University House Facing NuSpace

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
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
158 King St Just Down From Popolo by Ellie Hannon

6. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park

Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park

7. Foghorn Brewery

Foghorn Brewery by Olas One Big Picture Festival
Foghorn Brewery by Olas One

8. Corner of Union and King

Corner of King and Union
Corner of King and Union by Jordan Lucky

9. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park

Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park by Sophia Flegg

10. 148 King St Facing Brown St

158 King St Just Down From Popolo
148 King St Just Down From Popolo by Jasmin Craciun

11. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park

Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park
Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park by Tom Henderson

12 Corner of Union and King

Corner of Union and King Big Picture Festival
Corner of Union and King by Patricia Van Lubeck

Carrington Hydraulic Pump House

Carrington Hydraulic Pump House

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.

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
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.

Our photos are available for purchase on

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