newcastleFounded on convicts and coal, Newcastle is New South Wales’ oldest city outside Sydney and Parramatta, with a history stretching back to 1797. Be fascinated by tall tales and true of the convicts and commandants of the early years of settlement of Newcastle and the Hunter. We will recount these as we travel to various vantage points to take in the spectacular views up and down the coast, and of the Hunter River, the Watagan Mountains, and the Barrington Tops in the distance. You will enjoy the beauty of King Edward Park as we serve you morning tea.
Newcastle’s heritage is alive and well and boasts some spectacular surviving architecture. You’ll see a wide range of houses, commercial buildings and other structures dating back to the early 1800’s and learn about the architects who designed them. Then there is our maritime history. Stories of famous ships and shipwrecks will keep you spellbound as we visit Fort Scratchley, home of Newcastle’s Maritime Museum. We’ll treat you to a quality lunch, then drive south for more beautiful coastal scenery with views around Lake Macquarie and we will relate the history of the places as we tour. At the end of the day we will take you up Mt. Sugarloaf for spectacular views over the areas you have travelled through the day.