Top Attractions For NEWCASTLE (Charlestown)

• Captain Cook Memorial Fountain - A memorial fountain commemorating Captain Cook’s discovery of the eastern coast of Australia.
  
  
• The Heritage Way - A historic trail from Newcastle to Scone which passes a number of heritage-listed properties along the way.
  
  
• Fort Scratchely Military Museum - Located high above Newcastle Harbour, the fort houses a number of relics of guns, a network of tunnels and a fascinating and informative maritime museum. It is also the only Australian fort to engage in military action during World War 2.
  
  
• King Edward Park - Located on the ocean shore south of Nobby’s Head, this park contains sunken gardens, a rotunda, an obelisk, and panoramic views across the ocean.
  
  
• John Paynter Gallery and the Police Station Museum - Take a look at the original padded cell and exercise yard of the old lockup dating back to 1860.
  
  
• Newcastle Regional Museum - A great place to experience hands-on science, history, technology and computers.
  
  
• Christ Church Cathedral - Dating back to 1892, this is one of the finest buildings in Newcastle. It is open daily and contains many notable works of art by local and overseas artists.
  
  
• Von Bertouch Galleries - Where you can view quality exhibitions by leading Australian artists.
  
  
• Newcastle Region Art Gallery - Houses a collection of Australian paintings, prints and sculpture from colonial days to the present and major collections of post 1945 Japanese and post 1950 Australian ceramics.
  
  
• Blackbutt Reserve - This recreational area is on the edge of the city and incorporates over 180 hectares of bushland. A number of attractive walks, native animal and bird exhibitions make this Reserve one of Newcastle’s most popular attractions.
  
  
• Newcastle’s famous tram - Enjoy a 45 minute trip through the major attractions of Newcastle. Visit the sites of our convict past, fort, gaol, Australia’s oldest school, oldest restaurant and pass many places of interest along the way.
  
  
• Watagan Mountains - A tranquil setting for families and keen bushwalkers. The forests are full of a magical array of ferns, palms, waterfalls and an abundance of wildflowers and wildlife.
  
  

Top Activities For NEWCASTLE (Charlestown)

• Beaches - Swimming and surfing at Newcastle’s popular beaches including Nobby’s, Newcastle, Bat, Merewether and Dixon Park beaches.
  
  
• Great North Walk - For the energetic, this walk provides a pleasant way to see the area’s beautiful beaches and bushland.
  
  
• Shipwreck Walk - A pleasant 2km walk along Newcastle’s Harbour, taking in the sites of famous shipwrecks including the “Adolphe” which crashed in 1904.
  
  
• Lake Macquarie - A great place to take a relaxing cruise or get active with the variety of watersports available including sailing, sailboarding, canoeing and waterskiing.
  
  
• Fishing - Any of Newcastle’s main beaches are great spots for fishing as well as Lake Macquarie where you can expect to catch bream, whiting, flathead and luderick.
  
  
• Other Activities - A range of other activities are available such as go carting, golf, skating, ten pin bowling, tennis, hang gliding, bike riding, horse riding and diving.