Newcastle is a city in transition. A major industrial centre, and the largest export harbour in the Commonwealth, it is also the administrative and industrial centre of the Hunter Valley. Yet ease of accessibility combined with great beaches,heritage architecture and an emerging arts and culture scene has seen Newcastle develop into an attractive tourist destination that more and more people are visiting each year. The friendly locals are proud of their city, and are especially willing to make you feel welcome. They are just one of the reasons why people who come on holiday here will keep on coming back.
Situated where the Hunter River flows into the sea, Newcastle is characterised by its large harbour, and this place of industry has become a selling point for the tourism trade here. The harbour foreshore is where you go to experience quintessential Newcastle, and the park behind the foreshore is a place to relax and watch the tugboats and bulk carriers navigate in and out of the harbour. Working wharves have also become places of play, with cafes, bars and restaurants springing up around the harbour. You wont find fresher seafood than in a harbour, so enjoy a meal and a drink and watch the harbour life go by.
There is a large variety of cuisine available in Newcastle, with the other dining hot spots being Beaumont and Derby Streets. This variety comes from the multicultural diversity in the city, which has also helped promote a lively and fruitful arts and culture scene. Live music is very popular here, with entertainment venues and clubs literally bursting at the seams. A large theatre regularly hosts touring performers, and constantly has local productions on show.
However, its the surfing culture that is probably the most established here, thanks to the perfect waves that roll onto the many beaches that border the city. And for those not keen on surfing, the beauty of the beaches themselves is enough to provide you with the ultimate coastal holiday. Directly next to the town centre is the most accessible beach, Newcastle Beach. Home to the annual Surfest competition, this beach is especially popular amongst surfers. Nobby's Beach is more sheltered than this, so makes for a good place to head to on a windy day. The lighthouse here is a very recognisable symbol of Newcastle, and you can take a walk to Nobby Island along a pier built with convict labour. Further south is the most popular surfing beach, Bar Beach. On summer evenings this beach is floodlit, letting people enjoy a night time surf. Also south is Mereweather Beach, which is great for swimming because of the ocean pool situated at its lower end- said to be the largest in the southern hemisphere.
Newcastle is home to a rich history and heritage, and this is evident in many of its older buildings. If you are interested in old architecture then have a look at the courthouse, the Newcastle Railway Station and the old Customs House. The former police station is also quite unique, with fine iron columns supporting a porch covered in ornate cast iron lacework.Everyone, young and old, will be intrigued by Fort Scratchley. This historic site is a fort that has defended the city in the past, and is now a military museum. In World War 2 a Japanese submarine surfaced and started bombing the city, and the fort was used to fight back against this. Another major tourist feature in the city is Newcastles Famous Tram, which is a replica from the old days when trams were a major form of transport in inner cities. It gives forty five minute tours of the city done to an informative commentary, and on weekend runs a service out to the Hunter Valley.
For a special view of the city, the Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie then head up to the Mt. Sugarloaf lookout. A bitumen walkway winds up to the pinnacle here, where there is a picnic and bbq area, and walking tracks to take you to different lookouts. If you feel like getting a bit more fresh air and a break from the city, then hop into your hire car and drive to Blackbutt Reserve, an amazing area of blackbutt forest, rainforest and woodland just ten minutes drive from the city centre. Wander through the forest and take in the variety of wildlife on offer, from kangaroos to emus to koalas and wombats, and even a colony of fruitbats.
So there really is something for everybody in Newcastle. Ideally situated just 150 kilometres from Sydney, its the perfect getaway for those who want the convenience of a city, but want to escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney. So the next time you plan a vacation, give Newcastle a bit of thought. You might just like it... everyone else has!
Gavin Wyatt is a journalist with a passion for travel. originally from Zambia he has traveled around the world to end up on the sunny shores of Australia. For more of his articles visit Newcastle Car Rentals.
