Founded in 1988 and relocated to its current building in 2011, Newcastle Museum preserves the history of Newcastle. Situated in Honeysuckle and occupying old railway workshops, the museum opens Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays, except in school holidays, the museum is a great place to visit There is no cost to visit the museum.
How To Get There
Car parks on Wright lane and Honeysuckle Drive provide a convenient place to leave the car. These are pay-for-use parks, with ticket machines to buy tickets from. IF you are using light rail, the closest station is Civic.
Newcastle Museum Displays
Outside Displays
Several of the Museum’s displays are located outside the main building. They are easy to find, one being a camel sculpture and another a huge dragline bucket. The building itself has historical importance, previously used as a railway workshop.
Camel Sculpture Outside the Museum
Link Gallery
Located between the old Boiler Shop and Erecting Shed, the Link Gallery holds some of the larger exhibits in the museum’s collection. These include “The Buck” an 1870 J&A Brown Locomotive No4 and the 1890 pipe organ formerly installed in St Augustine’s Church, Merewether.
The Buck an 0-6-0 Saddle Tank
The Buck an 0-6-0 Saddle Tank
Fire and Earth
Illustrating Newcastle’s industrial past, this gallery has exhibits from the old BHP Steel Works and coal mines. The multi-level displays allow you to view them from different angles and appreciate these industries and the people who worked them.
Coal Loader (Jeffrey 44dd)
Supernova
Founded by Professor Tim Roberts in the late 1970s, Supernova is a hands-on science experience for kids and interested adults. This area explores different aspects of science, allowing you to experiment and understand them with easy activities. An excellent place to learn about science while having fun.
The Globe in Supernova
A Newcastle Story
This area of the museum explores how Newcastle changed over time, from the original Aboriginal inhabitants, to the World War 2 shelling by a Japanese submarine to the earthquake of 1989.
Dedicated to the George and Richard Owens Collection, one room is full of colourful boxes and containers. This beautiful collection shows how brands were sold and presented in the past.
Newcastle Tram 284
George and Richard Owens Collection
World War One Uniforms
Axe Heads and Hammer Stone
Fossilized Backbone
Model T Ford
Illustrating a problem many museums have is a rusty Model T Ford. Should it be left as found, or restored to its original condition? Would restoring it destroy its history and possibly lose important data?
Model T Ford
What Did We Think?
We were surprised by the quality of the exhibits and had a great walking through the galleries. Anyone visiting Newcastle should visit the museum to help appreciate the city’s past. Well worth the visit!
There are several places to find street art in Newcastle, although it is not as widespread as in other cities. In the city centre there is a collection in Morgan and Newcomen streets.
Civic Lane near the old Civic Railway Station also has some interesting art works on the backs of some buildings.
Further afield, you can find some great pieces at Hamilton and Wallsend.
In addition to the street art, Newcastle has some amazing sculptures scattered around the city, so keep an eye out for them.
New Street Art March 2021
Street Art in Darby Street
Street Art on Steel St
Street Art on Steel St Newcastle
City Centre Street Art
Street Art Morgan St
Motorbike Street Art 3 Morgan St
Sushi Street Art Morgan St
Bird Street Art 3 Morgan St Newcastle
14 Thorn St Newcastle
Old Masonic Lodge 14 Thorn St Newcastle
Street Art Thorn St Newcastle
Mosaic Laing Street Newcastle
Mosaic Laing Street Newcastle
Street Art Laing Street Newcastle
The Painter Street Art Union Lane Newcastle
The Cleaner Street Art Union Lane Newcastle
Old Post Office Sculpture Cnr Hunter and Bolton Streets Newcastle
Street Art 525 Hunter St
Raging Bull Street Art TAFE NSW Hunter St
David Bowie Street Art Hunter St.
Wolf Street Art 424 King St Newcastle
Skull Street Art 402 King St Newcastle
Rear of Rydges Newcastle, Workshop Way
Carpark Art 291 King St
Newcastle’s Pillar People
One of Newcastle’s initiatives to brighten up the city centre, is the Pillar People. These telecommunications pillars have been cleverly painted to represent local identities, or reflect the businesses they are located near.
There are over a dozen of them, see if you can find them all.
Pillar People Postman
Pillar People Judge
Groom in Penguin Suit
Pillar People
Pillar People Double Bass
Super G
Pillar People The Bride
Pillar People The Bride
Policeman and Dog Pillar People
The Pillar People Chef
The Pillar People Cnr Hunter and Watt Streets
Waitress Pillar People
Lord Mayor Joy Cumming Pillar People
Pillar People Ice Skater
Pillar People Ice Skater
Painted Power Boxes
In a similar initiative to the Pillar People, electrical boxes around the city have been decorated with nautical themes. They brighten up an otherwise dull box. Look for the amusing mice, painted on some.
Angelfish Power Box
Angelfish Power Box
Seal Power Box
Power Box
Penguin Power Box
Penguin Power Box
Deep Sea Power Box
Angel Fish Power Box
Hammerhead Shark Power Box
Dolphin Power Box
Octopus Power Box
Yellow Roses Power Box
White Roses Power Box
White Roses Power Box
Purple Roses Power Box
BNB Powerbox
Library Power Box
Chinese Dragon Power Box
Telephone Power Box
Apartment Power Box
Apartment Power Box
Telephone Power Box
Wally Wombat Power Box
Newcastle Sculptures
Climbers Sculptures 434 King St Newcastle
Sculpture Evolution 1 Scott St Newcastle
Paparazzi Sculpture 364 Hunter St Newcastle
Joy Cummins Statue Lord Mayor of Newcastle 1974-84, and Australia’s first female Lord Mayor Civic Station
Destiny Monument
Located on Newcastle Harbour on Dyke Point, Carrington, the Destiny Monument is difficult to reach because of its location. Dyke Point is part of the Newcastle Port Authority’s operating area with no public access permitted. The closest viewpoint from land is the Honeysuckle Footpath at Honeysuckle, where you can look across the harbour to the statue.
This nine metre tall bronze statue commemorates the 200th anniversary of Newcastle Port operations and was inspired by the figureheads of early sailing ships.
Destiny Statue on Newcastle Harbour
Hamilton and Wallsend Street Art
Located further from the city centre, these art works a more difficult to get to, as you will need a car. If driving past them, they are worth a stop to admire, as they brighten up and add interest to otherwise dull buildings.
Elephant Street Art 8 Donald St, Hamilton
Donald St Hamilton Opposite the Veterinary Clinic
Donald St Hamilton Opposite the Veterinary Clinic
Aboriginal Themed Artwork Smith Park 31 Boreas Rd, Hamilton North
Aboriginal Themed Artwork Smith Park 31 Boreas Rd, Hamilton North
Only 160 km north of Sydney is Newcastle, Australia’s seventh largest city. Located in the heart of the Hunter Region it i has beautiful beaches and a stunning coastline.
There are some amazing beaches within an hour’s drive of Newcastle and Port Stephens as well as some world-class wineries in the Hunter Valley.
A rail service links Newcastle to Sydney and the rest of New South Wales for easy travel. There is also a local airport with several daily flights. Driving from Sydney using the M1 Pacific Freeway is an easy drive in under two hours.
Nobby’s Headland
Nobbys Headland runs behind Nobbys beach and is a popular place to walk. From the carpark a path leads out to the headland and then along the breakwall. There is a shared track for walkers and bikes, so use care while walking.
At the start of the walk you will find the surf club and a kiosk selling a variety of food and drinks making it a good stop after the walk to the breakwater.
Nobby’s Headland Newcastle
A Different View of Nobbys Headland
Nobby’s Lighthouse
Nobby’s Lighthouse is once again open to the public on weekends. If you are walking along the breakwall, this is a steep sidetrack to take to the top of the Headland. There are great views over the harbour and city.
While walking up to the lighthouse, there is a sculpture on the right hand side. This commemorates the Newcastle Lifeboat Service.
Newcastle Lifeboat Service Memorial Sculpture
Newcastle Lifeboat Service Memorial Sculpture
Sculpture Grounded
This sculpture marks the anniversary of the grounding of the ship ‘Pasha Bulker” in fierce storms on 8 June 2007. Grounded is an abstract representation of the ship’s bow. The shape and colour of the sculpture, and its physical placement at Nobbys, will be an important memory marker for the community and a powerful stand-alone work of art. Incorporated into the work is an original section of 22mm plate steel from the rudder of the Pasha Bulker.
The Sculpture Grounded at Nobbys Beach
Newcastle Railway Station
The Newcastle railway station is a heritage-listed railway station. Formerly the main railway station for services to the city, it closed in December 2014. In September 2018, the Newcastle station precinct was reopened as a multipurpose community space branded as The Station.
Newcastle Railway Station
Earp Gillam Bond Store
Now refurbished as an office building, this heritage-listed former bond store at 16 Telford Street was built in 1888. It was the first warehouse of Newcastle merchant firm Earp Gillam & Co., founded in 1883, then-importers of groceries, flour, wine and timber. The warehouse was for the storage and handling of imported goods
Earp Gillam Bond Store
Newcastle Post Office
Built from 1900 to 1903 and added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2000, the Newcastle Post Office is a heritage-listed former post office at 96 Hunter Street . The building has recently changed owners and will now be restored, but is currently disused and access inside is not possible.
Newcastle Post Office
Newcastle War Memorial (Gardner Memorial)
Erected as a fountain in memory of those servicemen killed, or who died in service during World War One, this war memorial is Australia`s first memorial to World War One that incorporated a soldier-statue. Located outside the Old Post Office, it is easy to find.
Newcastle War Memorial (Gardner Memorial)
Newcastle Courthouse
Located at 90 Church Street this beautiful old Art Deco Building is worth visiting even though it no longer in use as a courthouse. The well-maintained facade adds to its architectural appeal. Certainly worth a look.
Newcastle Court House
Former Wickham Infants’ Public School
Located at 64 Hannell Street, Wickham, NSW 2293, the former Wickham Infants School is a significant local landmark in close proximity to the western edge of the Newcastle Harbour. This historically significant building is in the Romanesque style with Gothic influences and was constructed in 1892 . Since the 1980s the building has been associated with the Awabakal community, who recently converted the building for use as office and administration.
Former Wickham Infants’ Public School
Wickham Public School
Built in 1904 and based on the Edwardian style of building Wickham Public School is located at 54 Hannell Street, Wickham NSW 2293. The Public School closed following the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake. In response to the community’s determination to preserve the public school building and find a future purpose, in 1993 the Honeysuckle Development Corporation directed the restoration of the building, adapting its lofty rooms for studio and one bedroom apartments for University of Newcastle students. The grand building was re-occupied in 1995.
Old Wickham Public School
Street Art
There are several places to find street art and sculptures in Newcastle. The full story along with photographs can be found here.
14 Thorn St NewcastleMosaic Laing Street NewcastleStreet Art Laing Street NewcastleThe Painter Street Art Union Lane NewcastleWolf Street Art 424 King St NewcastleSkull Street Art 402 King St NewcastleWaitress Pillar People Street Art
One of the great landmarks in Newcastle, the full story of our visit to the Cathedral can be read here.
Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle
Newcastle Beaches
Great beaches surround Newcastle, from Stockton Beach in the north to Redhead in the south and even the great beaches of the central coast a little further afield. Several of the beaches have ocean baths or pools for a safer swimming experience. Our impressions of the beaches can be found here.
Merewether Beach
Darby Street
Newcastle’s premier eating district, Darby Street offers a large range of coffee shops and eateries from fast food to full table service. This is a very popular area giving variety for everyone. The parking, however, can be a problem in busy times so plan to walk from your parking spot.
Memorial Walk
Located near Bar Beach, Memorial Walk is a tribute to Newcastle’s service personnel. Raised above the cliffs, the walkway gives great views over the coastline.
Placed along the walk are silhouettes of service personnel with the names of the fallen engraved on them. This is a popular walk, there is also wheelchair access at the northern end.
Newcastle Memorial Walk
Civic Park
Situated in the centre of the Newcastle CBD, Civic Park is bordered by council and university buildings on one side and the art gallery and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church on the other.
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 to the east coast of Australia. 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
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.
Newcastle 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.
Baptist Tabernacle
Located above Civic Park the Baptist Tabernacle is an interesting building but is only open to the public during services.
Baptist Tabernacle
St Andrews 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.
St Andrews Presbyterian Church
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
Convict Lumber Yard
The old Convict Lumber Yard sits next to Customs House , which is not far from the old Newcastle Railway Station. Very little of the old site remains, but signs and displays demonstrate what used to happen here
Interesting from a historical perspective its worth a quick view if in the area.
Convict Lumber Yard
Customs House
No longer in use by Australian Border Force, Customs House is now leased as a pub and restaurant. This is a very nice setting with a relaxed atmosphere not far from the CBD and beaches.
While there, admire the beautiful clock tower and the building’s exterior. The pub uses the rooms on the upper floors for events, so if you are lucky to have access you may be available to see inside the tower.
Customs House Newcastle
Foreshore Park
Foreshore Park is a nice grassed are to relax in near the harbour. Originally the site of a power station and train maintenance sheds, there is little to indicate that this now quiet place was once a bustling industrial area.
The power station is completely gone, its location marked by a plaque and while the train sheds still stand, they are used for family gatherings and picnics.
A small lake in the park is the location for the sculpture Resilience, a monument to mental health wellbeing. Not far from here is a small playground where the kids can have fun.
Resilience SculptureTrain Sheds
The Obelisk
Built in 1850 in King Edward Park, the obelisk was used as a marker for ships entering Newcastle Harbour. The area provides great views over the city, with plenty of parking nearby and is close to the Shepherds Hill Complex.
The Obelisk King Edward Park
Shepherds Hill Complex
A relic from World War Two, when the threat of invasion was real, the Shepherd’s Hill Complex was built to defend Newcastle. Consisting of a radar station and gun emplacements, this was an important part of the defence of Australia’s east coast.
These concrete structures can be viewed from outside, but access to the interiors is blocked off with no access. It is an interesting part of the city’s history and worth visiting if you are in the area.
Shepherds Hill Complex
Leading Light Tower
Located on the corner of Brown and Terrell Streets, the lead light was designed to assist shipping navigating Newcastle Harbour. Unfortunately, as the city grew it became obscured from view and has been replaced by new navigation markers.
Designed to look like a medieval tower with battlements it is an interesting and unusual sight not far from Christchurch Cathedral.
Lead Light Tower 34 Brown St.
Stockton Ferry
The Stockton Ferry runs from Queens Wharf in the Newcastle CBD across the harbour to the Stockton Wharf. Running hourly, this ferry service only takes five minutes and is an easy way to travel and quicker than driving. From either side it is easy to see either the inner city and Newcastle beaches or at Stockton the township or breakwater.
