An straightforward two-hour drive from Sydney, Newcastle is an optimum selection for a stopover, weekend getaway, and even for an extended keep, as your major vacation vacation spot!
Although it typically will get neglected as a trip spot, Newcastle will shock you with its number of actions and sights. From pure outside experiences and improbable Australian surroundings, to historic websites with fascinating tales to unravel, there is no such thing as a scarcity of choices.
Road trippers travelling to and from Queensland may additionally discover this an important place to interrupt up the journey, and there’s no scarcity of lodging choices both. Whether you might be driving a automobile and staying in lodges, or have opted for a campervan vacation so you have got your lodging and transport multi functional, there’s something to swimsuit everybody’s vacation type.
To assist plan out your to-do checklist whereas visiting this typically underrated metropolis, here’s a checklist of 10 prime issues to do in Newcastle.
Nobbys Beach
Perhaps essentially the most well-known of Newcastle’s seashores, Nobbys Beach is a improbable location for swimming, studying to surf, and for wildlife watching.
As nicely as being a stunning sand seaside, the place you’ll be able to each get pleasure from stress-free and water actions, there may be additionally historic lighthouse close by.
Nobbys Lighthouse is an iconic, lively lighthouse, which was established in 1854. Visible from the seaside, or only a half-kilometre stroll from the away, this traditionally important lighthouse offered lodging to defence personnel in the course of the second world warfare.
Merewether Baths
Visit the most important ocean baths this facet of the globe, on the Merewether Ocean Baths, which had been first opened within the early 1900s.
Free to the general public, these pure seawater baths are extraordinarily standard in summer time, and supply a beautiful strategy to settle down from the sometimes-searing Australian warmth. Because it is protected against waves and rocks, it’s a protected oasis for swimmers, and in addition offers a devoted part to those that want to swim laps.
Even for people who aren’t eager for a dip, or if you’re travelling in cooler climate, the baths present some nice picture alternatives all yr spherical.
Blackbutt Reserve
This distinctive conservation space in Newcastle, permits guests to come across native wildlife, whereas immersing themselves in nature.
You will get pleasure from a range of animals and vegetation, that are accessible through the various trails all through the reserve. The boardwalk makes the path household and wheelchair pleasant as nicely. With seven completely different strolling tracks to select from, you’ll expertise each moist and dry forests, rainforest, bushland and bypass creeks and gullies.
There are picnic amenities for many who want to carry a snack together with them, and BBQ facilities for many who are planning to prepare dinner their lunch. Reptile reveals and koala talks are held every day, and feeding occasions for the wombats and birds are a particular alternative to participate in, particularly feeding the spectacular trying emus!
Newcastle Museum
Located within the centre of Newcastle, the Museum options three everlasting reveals, and plenty of extra short-term ones. Showcasing the areas historical past, the museum highlights Newcastle’s pure atmosphere and Indigenous Australian life and tradition.
Visiting reveals vary from local-based reveals, to internationally acclaimed ones, and every little thing in between. Entry is free!
Myall Lakes National Park
Not solely does this phenomenal National Park characteristic one in all New South Wales’s largest coastal lake techniques, but it surely additionally encompasses forty kilometres of seashores and epic sand dunes.
Whether you come for a day, or keep within the park for a couple of nights, you’ll get pleasure from strolling trails, swimming spots, pristine wilderness and gorgeous surroundings. The wildlife is considerable too, with pelicans, kangaroos, dingoes, birds and reptiles.
Toilet blocks, barbecue amenities and picnic tables are all accessible right here, as are campgrounds, appropriate for these staying in a tent, campervan or motorhome. Just bear in mind to carry your ingesting water, as there is no such thing as a amenity for recent ingesting water contained in the park.
ANZAC Memorial Walk
The Memorial Walk was based in 2015, as recognition of the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) touchdown in Gallipoli 100 years earlier. The Walk is a commemoration of the hundreds of troopers who misplaced their lives, and the sacrifice they made to their nation, group, and the British Commonwealth,
The stroll winds from Strzelecki Lookout, previous the headlands and incorporates a putting piece of metal artwork, within the form of troopers’ silhouettes, that are inscribed with hundreds of names of locals who enlisted within the first world warfare.
The Lock-Up
A go to to The Lock-Up, which is centrally positioned within the coronary heart of Newcastle, will permit you an up shut and private have a look at the town’s authentic Police Station.
The cultural centre merges a museum with the lock-up cells and in addition an artwork gallery. The submit workplace, court docket home and jail, are all nest door to at least one one other. The mixture of historical past makes this a singular time out in Newcastle, and is on the “must-do” checklist for sure.
There can be a small reward store, the proper alternative to choose up a memento.
Christ Church Cathedral
This smaller duplicate of the gothic Liverpool Cathedral within the United Kingdom, offers each spectacular structure and a peaceable ambiance. From the putting stained-glass home windows, to the historic artefacts and spectacular spiral staircase, the church is actually exceptional.
The tower climb is obtainable by appointment, and there may be additionally a Christ Church Cathedral Shop on web site, providing quite a lot of handmade items and crafts, devotional objects, items and souvenirs.
The church can be identified for its stunning weekend providers and fantastic choir, who sing at some morning providers on Sundays.
Olive Tree Market
Featuring over 100 specialty stalls, the Olive Tree Market is a pioneer of inventive bazaar occasions in Newcastle. With a line-up of artists, connoisseur artisans, boutique designers and scrumptious meals shops, you merely have so as to add it to your to-do checklist.
From garments, artwork & crafts, meals & drinks, jewelry, homewares and homeopathic cures, there’s something for everybody. The market doesn’t function on a everlasting schedule, so verify their web site to see up and coming occasions throughout your deliberate go to.
Fort Scratchley
This historic coastal defence was in-built 1882, with the intention of defending Newcastle from potential Russian assaults. Nowadays, this retired fort serves as a museum, which showcases nicely preserves and nicely introduced, navy historical past.
Tours accessible embody the “tunnel tour” which offers a first-hand look into the extreme working circumstances for the troopers, and offers hands-on interactive expertise with the weapons, tunnels, exhibitions and even features a cannon being fired.
As if all this historical past isn’t motive sufficient to go to, the views of the ocean under are famend for dolphin and whale recognizing!
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