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Newcastle Hunter Valley New South Wales

Newcastle

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
Nobby’s Headland Newcastle
Nobbys Headland
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.

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
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
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

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 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 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
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.

Old Wickham Infants' Public School
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
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.

Christ Church Cathedral

One of the great landmarks in Newcastle, the full story of our visit to the Cathedral can be read here.

Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle
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
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
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 Civic Park Newcastle
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 Civic Park
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
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
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
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
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
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.

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
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
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 Newcastle
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.

Stockton Ferry Hunter
Stockton Ferry Hunter

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.

Glebe Sydney Australia

Archways at Glebe Federal Park Glebe Sydney NSW Australia

Glebe

Glebe is a beautiful old suburb in Sydney. From foreshore parks, old tram sheds and Federation buildings to a Taoist Temple, there is lots to see and do here. The vibe of the suburb from the main street to the water front is laid back and relaxed. It is a great place to chill out on a day off.

Getting There

Getting there was easy using the light rail from Central Station. From the light rail station, we went into the Tram Sheds for a coffee and to look around the food stalls, which were amazing for the freshness of the produce they were selling.

Tramsheds

The old tram sheds have been repurposed into a remarkable food hall selling fresh produce and containing several eateries. We had a coffee and ate some delicious fresh muffins here, before continuing outside to the parks.

Tram Sheds Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
Tram Sheds

Jubilee and Federation Parks

Two parks sit between the Tram Sheds and Rozelle Bay, divided by Johnstone Creek. A bridge crosses this creek, making getting between the two very easy.

Jubilee Park at Glebe Point offers a relaxed place to unwind in a once disused industrial site. Rehabilitated for the Jubilee this grassed area has paved walking tracks and play areas for children. Sections of the park are also dog friendly and while we were there many people took advantage of this with dogs running around and swimming on the foreshore. Being dog friendly, there are many dog drinking fountains spread throughout the park. From what we saw the owners were all very responsible with no dog droppings seen with only friendly dogs running around.

Archways at Glebe Federal Park Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
Archways at Glebe Federal Park

Rozelle Bay Waterfront

As an acknowledgement to its industrial past an old crane and winder sit on the waterfront, which are both interesting to look around. Sitting in the bay, is the old Glebe Island Bridge, which is a unique opportunity for a photo. Preserved for its heritage value, this old rotating bridge and can only be viewed from the shore.

The new ANZAC Bridge dominates Rozelle Bay and from the shore, you can glimpse the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the same time, which makes an interesting photo.

Old Winder Glebe Point Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
Old Winder
Old Wharf Crane Glebe Point Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
Old Wharf Crane
Glebe Island Rotating Bridge Rozelle Bay Sydney NSW Australia
Glebe Island Rotating Bridge Rozelle Bay
ANZAC Bridge with Sydney Harbour Bridge Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
ANZAC Bridge with Sydney Harbour Bridge
Jetty Jubilee Park Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
Jetty Jubilee Park

Sze Yup Taoist Temple

Not far from the park is the Sze Yup Taoist temple, which is only one of four pre-World War One Chinese temples still active in Australia. Built from 1898 to 1904 the temple is now listed on the New South Wales Heritage Register.

Sze Yup Taoist Temple Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
Sze Yup Taoist Temple

The main road and side streets have a fantastic number of old federation houses and buildings. Walking from the Sze Yup Temple to Glebe Road, we passed several interesting buildings and Federation Style cottages.

Federation Houses Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
Federation Houses

St John’s Church

Located on Glebe Road, this lovely old church is a relaxing stop to walk around and admire. The stone work and doorways are great and even the surrounding stone wall is a work of art.

St John's Church Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
St John’s Church
St John's Church Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
St John’s Church

World War 1 War Memorial

The World War One Memorial sits next to St John’s Church.

World War 1 War Memorial Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
World War 1 War Memorial

Street Art

Walking along the back streets we came across some street art in Mitchel Street There were a few of these art works scattered along the street and some adjacent roads. A great surprise as we walked along.

Street Art Mitchel Street
Street Art Mitchel Street Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
Street Art Mitchel Street
Old Glebe Fire Station Mitchell Street Glebe Sydney NSW Australia
Old Glebe Fire Station Mitchell Street

What Did We Think?

Glebe is a wonderfully relaxed place to visit, whether just visiting the foreshore, or venturing into the back streets, there is a huge variety of sites to take in. We had a great morning there.

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

Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com

Newtown

Like many modern western cities Newtown has a problem with graffiti. To combat this issue the city council has made many areas available to artists for official street art. Newtown street art has since become an attraction bringing people to the area as well as reducing an eyesore.

Getting There

Travelling to Newtown is very easy. The Newtown Train Station is a nice central location from which to start exploring. Although the art works are constantly changing and being renewed most of the more interesting ones appear to be permanent.

I have A Dream Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
I have A Dream Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Street Art

We went on a Newtown street art walk with several locations in mind and ended up finding many that were either new or not mentioned in other guides to the area. As we walked past side streets we would see more interesting works, or pass them on the street we were walking down. The walk we took is only a suggestion as there is so much to see.  It also took far longer than the 40 minutes suggested, because of photo stops and detours.

Some art was obscured by cars, bins and light-poles. As there’s nothing you can do about it,we just moved on to the next one.

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Some of the street art has also been prayed over, so the problem of graffiti has not completely gone away.  As you walk around the side streets there are many areas where this is still the case, but the great street art makes up for it.

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

The volume of artwork could easily take half a day or more to see. If you don’t want to spend this much time just pick the main ones and see those.

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Africa Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Africa Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Communication Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Redback Spider Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Redback Spider Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Fire Station Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Fire Station Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
The Face Newtown Street Art

Newtown Street Art Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Newtown Street Art

Coffee and Old Buildings

Newtown also has a lot of coffee shops. The main street is full of them.so you wont go thirsty. While walking around loom up and admire the old buildings and churches you pass some of them are quite beautiful. In the quiet side streets you will pass some amazing old cottages.

Quick Stop For Coffee
Quick Stop For Coffee

Beautiful Old Houses Newtown Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Beautiful Old Houses Newtown

Baptist Church Newtown Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
Baptist Church Newtown

St Joseph's Catholic Church Newtown Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
St Joseph’s Catholic Church Newtown

St George's Hall Newtown Sydney Australia www.destinationsjourney.com
St George’s Hall Newtown