Newcastle Archives - Page 5 of 18 - Destination's Journey

6 July 202320 June 2023

Wallsend Brickworks Park

Rehabilitated area with retaining walls made to look like industrial building rooves

Wallsend Brickworks Park

Wallsend Brickworks Park is a public park in Wallsend, Newcastle Australia, located at the site of a historic brickmaking operation which ran from 1891 to 1977. Featuring a playground, picnic shelters, barbecues, a pond with birdlife, and remnants of the brickworks’ machinery, it’s a great family destination.

The park is also part of the Jesmond Bushland, which offers nature trails for walking, cycling and mountain biking. The bushland is home to some native species such as powerful owls, flying foxes and squirrel gliders. The park is a great place to enjoy history, nature and fun with family and friends.

Brickworks History

Operating from 1891 to 1977 the Wallsend Brickworks used steam-powered machinery to make bricks. At its peak, the operation had orders of 400,000 bricks a week.

The brickworks produced a variety of bricks, including firebricks, pressed bricks and common bricks. Local buildings, such as the Wallsend Hospital and the Wallsend Post Office used some of the bricks.

Due to competition from other brick manufacturers and environmental concerns, the brickworks closed in 1977. Abandoned for many years, it became an environmental eyesore until the council decided to redevelop it as a park in 2002. The resulting public space provides play areas and walking tracks and an environmental wetland while paying homage to its industrial past.

How to Get There

We parked on Iranda Grove where car parking spots are available.

Throughout the grassed rehabilitated areas, concrete retaining walls have been constructed to resemble industrial buildings’ roofs. Several concrete structures remain as a reminder of the site’s heritage. The old clay quarry has been made safe and now forms a lake and habitat for local wildlife.

Entrance and main pathway through Brickworks Park

The old quarry face. Hidden behind trees

The old quarry is now a wetland Brickworks Park — The old quarry face. Hidden behind trees

The park also features artworks made from recycled bricks, including some of the original Wallsend bricks. One of the artworks is a sculpture named Kullas Incubator, which represents the regeneration of life and nature at the site.

Sculpture made from recovered broken bricks Brickworks Park — Sculpture made from recovered broken bricks

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

20 June 202312 June 2023

Sculptures at Scratchley

Sculptures at Scratchley is a planned annual sculpture exhibition held for the first time this year in the grounds of Fort Scratchley, a historic fort at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour in New South Wales, Australia. Held for the first time in 2023 the exhibition showcases a selected number of international, national and local artists’ works, with a variety of styles and materials.

The exhibition is open to the public with free entry and the chance to nominate a sculpture for the main prize of People’s Choice Award, which is a non-acquisitive award of $25,000. The exhibition also has a peer-judged award, also non-acquisitive, of $15,000. For anyone interested, non-acquisitive means that the operator of the exhibition does not purchase the winning piece. Instead, the winner is able to sell it on the open market. The exhibition ran from May 13 to May 28, 2023.

The variety of sculptures was great and the backdrop of the fort and surrounding beaches was a great setting. Hopefully this will be an on-going annual event, like the Sculptures at the Sea at Bondi.

First Prize Winning Sculpture Bleaching by Michael Greve

The Miss Fits by Geoff Harvey Sculptures at Scratchley — The Miss Fits by Geoff Harvey

Learning to Fly by John Logvyn Sculptures at Scratchley — Learning to Fly by John Logvyn

Persistence by John Logvyn Sculptures at Scratchley — Persistence by John Logvyn

The Leadlight Garden Shed with Glass and Timber Tools by Lee and Zac Howes Sculptures at Scratchley — The Leadlight Garden Shed with Glass and Timber Tools by Lee and Zac Howes

Prancer by Nicole O'Regan — Prancer by Nicole O’Regan

Advance by Nicole O'Regan Sculptures at Scratchley — Advance by Nicole O’Regan

Following Orders by Anthony Xerri Sculptures at Scratchley — Following Orders by Anthony Xerri

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

18 February 202310 February 2023

Swansea Boardwalk New South Wales

Swansea Boardwalk

Only opened in late 2022, the new 230m long Swansea Boardwalk is a great way to experience Lake Macquarie and the mangrove forest. Located near Swansea New South Wales it is easily accessible with a newly upgraded carpark. Access onto the boardwalk is wheelchair friendly, with the boardwalk being flat its entire length.

The Boardwalk

At only 230m, this is a very short walk, however the views are amazing. Being able to walk through the mangroves and not getting you feet wet and muddy is great. You are able to see into mud flats at low tide and see into the forest.

As you walk the views over the lake are great. At the end of the walk, you can see over the Lake to Wangi Wangi and the old decommissioned power station. A small dirt track continues from this point along the Swansea Channel for those who want to extend their walk.