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Destination of your Choice!
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NEWCASTLE
Introduction
Newcastle
is New South Wales second largest city and the sixth largest in Australia.
Originally settled as Coal River by Governor King as a mining venture,
Lieutenant John Shortland had seen a rich seam of coal while pursuing
escaped convicts nearby in 1791.
The settlement was abandoned in 1802
but resumed 2 years later under Lieutenant Charles Menzies with the new
name of Newcastle.
These early days saw a penal settlement with convicts working as
woodcutters, lime-burners and miners and it was not until 1831 the
prisoners were moved to nearby Port Macquarie and the town developed as a
mining centre producing coal and steel. It is still a major producer of
steel and coal, although BHP will be closing its steel works in Newcastle
shortly.
Although industrial in its beginnings, Newcastle today is a thriving city
with everything to offer the visitor. Located at the mouth of the Hunter
River on the southern shore of Port Hunter, it abounds with parklands,
plazas, public promenades and heritage buildings.
Its regional Art Gallery
and Museum are among the country's finest, and its proximity to numerous
beaches, national parks, the wineries of the Hunter Valley and the Pacific
Ocean make it a perfect holiday destination.
Attractions
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Cooks Hill Galleries
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Fighter World RAAF Base
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Fort
Scratchley
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Hunter
Region Botanic Gardens
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Newcastle Region Art
Gallery
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Newcastle Regional
Museum
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Shortland Wetlands.
Activities
Newcastle has much to offer the visitor to keep him busy
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There are
various sporting facilities such as golf, a Jockey club and
others
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As
well as fun activities such as go-karts and putt-putt.
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If you enjoy the outdoors, there are the National State forests and Botanical Gardens.
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If
you enjoy shopping, there are great centres and hidden away treasures, one
the best being the Centenary Antique Centre.
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