SCENIC TOUR OF NEWCASTLE

• We will pick you up at your accommodation within the Newcastle CBD, and then return you back to your accommodation at the end of the tour. ( other pick-up locations may incur a surcharge )
• If you are coming from outside of the Newcastle CBD, meet us at the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre, where the tour will depart at 9.00am
• Transportation is in late model air-conditioned vehicles.
• All tours come with an accredited driver / host.
• PRICE: From $79 per person, for couples.
• Refer to Fact Sheet for further pricing details
• Discounts for larger groups.
• Bookings close 48 hours prior to tour date/time.
• FREE – Hotel Pick-up within Newcastle CBD
• FREE – Bottled Drinking Water Provided
• FREE – Beer/Wine/Drink Voucher (Queens Wharf Hotel)

1. Nobbys Lighthouse / Breakwall / Nobbys Beach (10 minute stop for photos)
2.  Drive-by sightseeing of Newcastle Ocean Baths and Newcastle Beach.
3.  Newcastle tours Memorial Clifftop Walkway (15 minute stop for walk & photos)
4.  Drive-by sightseeing of King Edward Park and the spectacular Newcastle Coastline.
5. Shepherds Hill Reserve (10 minute stop for photos)
6. Drive-by sightseeing of Bar Beach, Dixon Park Beach, and Merewether Beach.
7. Merewether Beach / Ocean Baths / Surfhouse (15 minute stop for walk & photos)
8. Drive-by sightseeing of Christ Church Cathedral overlooking the city – stop if time permits
9. Fort Scratchley (30 minute stop for walk & photos)
10. Drive-by sightseeing of Queens Wharf and Honeysuckle Harbourside Precinct.
    *** If Fort Scratchley is closed for maintenance, the tour will visit the popular Newcastle Regional Museum.

11.00am – Arrive back at Newcastle CBD location.
Option – Drop-off at Queens Wharf Hotel
FREE – Beer, Wine, or Soft Drink

This beautiful beach is a tourist favourite, and is also the northern point of the popular Bathers Way pathway. The beach is wide and is sheltered from the southerly winds by a hill behind the surf club. A kiosk that serves good coffee and takeaways is also located in the same building as the surf club.

The beach also contains the famous Nobbys lighthouse and breakwall.

Walk along the Breakwall and enjoy the magnificent views from this heritage listed Lighthouse, which was built in 1858. The Breakwall extends past the Lighthouse and provides spectacular views back onto the city and beaches.

At very close proximity, you can also watch the ships come and go from the busy working harbour.

NEWCASTLE TOURS OCEAN BATHS

Cleaning is done every Wednesday. This is a nice place to hang out, the pool is big enough for plenty of people and there’s a lap pool if you’re interested in doing some laps.

Waves will come over the pool’s edge as the tide comes in and the floor is sand, which gives the effect of swimming in the ocean.

NEWCASTLE SIGHTSEEING BEACH

The impressive pavilion has eateries and all the facilities a tourist or surfer needs to relax and enjoy a great location. From the beachfront, you can stroll north around to Nobbys Beach, stopping off at the historic Newcastle Ocean Baths in between.

Towards the south, the scenic Bathers Way pathway connects to the clifftop Newcastle sightseeing Memorial Walk, which has sweeping coastal views down to Merewether Beach. The local Council employs professional lifeguards to patrol the beaches throughout the year.

Most local beaches are patrolled during spring, summer and autumn.

There are magnificent photo opportunities available for visitors at this impressive location. On a seasonal basis you can see dolphins and the tips of whales. There are many spots along the walkway to stop and enjoy the view.

Often you can also encounter some of the hand gliders that frequent this location.

The park also has links with Newcastle’s penal past, with the Bogey Hole (or convict hewn ocean bathing pool) at the foot of the eastern cliff face. A popular place for family picnics and barbecues, with playground facilities, and now an outdoor movie venue in summer.

This expansive parkland in Newcastle is definitely one of its hidden gems.

Defence of Newcastle Tour during that time was of high significance to Australia, as Newcastle had become an area of great strategic and industrial importance in NSW, with its steelworks and operational port. You can access the turntable that the gun once was positioned, and some of the fortification built to protect the city from Japanese submarine attack.

Importantly, this reserve has a great view over the city and Newcastle Beach, and out over the Pacific Ocean, with well-maintained grassed areas.

This location is an amazing place for photo opportunities, with its expansive views across the coastal vista from the landscaped grounds.

Bar Beach is a favoured stretch for joggers and walkers and a great place to watch Hang Gliders who take off from nearby Strzelecki Lookout. Across from Bar Beach is Empire Park which provides cricket, rugby league and tennis facilities, a children’s playground area and a skate park.

Bar Beach itself has kiosk facilities, picnic areas, public toilets, parking and is patrolled by lifeguards.

This idyllic location is one of the best places in Newcastle tours to sit back and relax with a world class view of some of the best beaches in Newcastle.

This venue overlooks the Bar Beach to Merewether coastal strip, as well as the impressive ocean baths. With such a beautiful location and view, with a nice atmosphere, good music, and good vibes, the ambience of this place makes it easy to relax and enjoy a drink and/or meal.

Across the road is the famous Beach Hotel Merewether, which is one of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley’s most popular pubs. There you can also enjoy great food and refreshments, excellent customer service, and a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean.

It is home to four times World Surfing Champion, Mark Richards, and in 2009 was declared a National Surfing Reserve. Merewether Beach is a great example of a typical Australian beach. The water is clean and embracing, and it is never really too crowded.

It has to be one of the best beaches on the east coast, with great views, great surf, and great coffee from the café at the surf clubhouse.

Free to access, and hugely popular among visitors and locals alike, the Merewether Ocean Baths are the perfect place to cool off, enjoy some wave free frolicking, or do some laps.

It is quite a large area and visitors can see waves crashing in and bringing fresh ocean water consistently into the pools. The views out over the ocean are fantastic and there are sheltered tables and chairs for those who would like to picnic.

The Merewether Ocean Baths continue to be an important place of leisure and recreation for the people of Newcastle Tours, while the impressive visual aesthetic of the baths also continues to inspire local photographers and artists who frequent the area to work on their art.

This building is recognised as one of the great Cathedrals and one of the most imposing buildings of its type in Australia.

The present cathedral replaced an earlier cathedral, built in 1817. Work started in 1883 and the older building was demolished the following year. The magnificent architecture of the new cathedral was completed in 1902, with the tower being added in 1979.

Extensive repair works were undertaken after the 1989 Earthquake, but even today the restored Cathedral still dominates the Newcastle tours skyline. The viewing tower is often open to visitors who, for a small donation, can experience the 360 degree views across the entire city.

In June 1942 the Fort’s guns opened fire at a Japanese submarine which had bombarded Newcastle with about two dozen shells. These days this historic site has an impressive military museum, and there are volunteers in army uniform around the site to explain things further, including the impressive gun placements facing out to sea.

The site presents fabulous photo opportunities with 360 degree panoramic views of the ocean, coastline, lighthouse, harbour, and city. Entry to Fort Scratchley is free, whilst guided tours of the fort tunnels attract a nominal fee. The Newcastle Tours Scenic Explorer Tour will not have sufficient time for participants to undertake a tunnel tour, however guests are welcome to return on another day should they wish to explore the tunnels.

Newcastle Tours is the biggest exporter of coal in the world, however sharing the harbour with the coal ships are freight ships, cruise liners, fishing boats, ferries, and private vessels, which all make for a very unique scene
which can be viewed from a very close proximity.

The Queens Wharf Hotel is one of Newcastle’s favourite destinations with mouth-watering food menu’s, delicious cocktails, and fabulous views across the harbour. This venue is as waterfront as you are going to get, with inside or outside dining along the wharf, and a great vibe.

Option – Drop-off at Queens Wharf Hotel.
FREE – Beer, Wine, or Soft Drink

A popular area on the edge of Newcastle Tours harbour known as Honeysuckle, a major waterfront rejuvenation project which has transformed the previously industrial landscape.

Working wharves have become places of play with the creation of foreshore promenades and open squares offering waterfront cafes, restaurants and the Newcastle Tours Museum.

This Honeysuckle Harbourside Precinct is home to a range of chic cafes, world-class restaurants, coffee shops, bars and pubs that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

One such venue is Honeysuckle Social, where you can feast on delicious share plates, enjoy creative cocktails, an impressive set of icy cold beer taps and well-executed, fresh and approachable dining. This venue is renowned for its exceptional customer service.

It has become a must see destination venue for domestic and international visitors to the region. It is a casual and welcoming hub for visitors of all ages and interests to drop in or stay for the day. What better way to learn about Newcastle’s story than visiting the Newcastle Museum? General entry into the Newcastle Tours Museum is free of charge.

To remain dynamic and relevant, the Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year. From blockbuster visiting shows, to locally based community exhibitions, the Museum ensures there is always something new to entice and interest visitors. One highlight is the steelworks exhibit with some beautifully set displays, and an hourly show/demonstration about steel making.

The Scenic Tours Newcastle Explorer Tour will only visit this venue on days where Fort Scratchley may be closed for maintenance. However guests are encouraged to visit the Museum on another day during their stay in Newcastle