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It seems that any walk with a combination of History/Train ride/DonB in the walk description attracts a big roll-up – and this walk was no exception with 26 attendees! With the walk commencing nominally at Hornsby Station, the train arrived about 15 minutes late with HVB walkers already on-board, and continued to pick up more walkers in transit before finding even more awaiting us at Newcastle Interchange! (still running late…). It was just like a school excursion on the train, really – although possibly noisier.
The weather was fine, if unseasonably warm, when we commenced walking from the Honeysuckle Light Rail station, although as we gathered harbour-side for the briefing, the wind coming across the water was a tad cool.
Plenty of time for a chat en route! Briefing beside the Hunter River
The first section of the walk followed the waterfront pathways and wharf structures along what had been previously a busy working area of Newcastle Harbour lined by wharves, storage sheds, railway sheds and workshops, and a network of railway goods lines servicing the port. Now well and truly redeveloped, a selection of buildings and infrastructure from that era have been retained – a wharf section with sheds and the railway line beside it where goods would have been transhipped; extensive brick railway buildings – even the former railway signal box, now re-purposed as a restaurant!
On the boardwalk................... ....passing new boats and old boats
Continuing the railway theme, morning tea was had on the platform of the former Newcastle train station – it also retained and re-purposed as a largely public space. It could so easily have been demolished when the railway line was closed by the NSW government and replaced by light rail (sigh…).
Morning tea in the railway precinct Customs House
Our next stop was a brief inspection of Fort Scratchley, constructed in the late 1880’s to repel a possible Russian attack (does history repeat itself?), the fort was extended and refitted as threats came and went through the periods of WW1 and WW2. Probably surprisingly to many (Newcastle residents included), the fort saw action in 1942 firing its 6-inch guns at a Japanese submarine which shelled Newcastle – fortunately with little damage (to Newcastle, that is – the submarine got away unscathed!).
Leaders are for directing.. ....and guarding............... ............... to protect walkers from danger
The gunners had a good view!
From Fort Scratchley we then followed the ocean shore southwards past Nobbys Beach (Remember the Pasha Bulka which was driven ashore on Nobbys Beach during an East Coast Low in June 2007?), then the historic ‘Newcastle City Baths’ (currently undergoing a significant refurbishment), Newcastle Beach, and then the long, but steady, climb up to King Edward Park for lunch.
Newcastle gathered around the Hunter estuary Made-over industrial area on the far side
Facade of heritage Ocean Baths with renovations to pool behind Arriving for lunch, but there was no band
Lunch over, it was another climb to arrive at the high point of the walk (literally) at the Strzelecki Lookout and then on to walk the Newcastle Memorial Walk – an elevated walkway with fantastic views over Newcastle, the hinterland beyond (mountains at Port Stephens and Bulahdelah) and out to sea: alas, no whales today! The walkway itself commemorates those from the Hunter region who served in WW1 (including the uncle of a certain Don B).
Fabulous Newcastle coastline, as viewed from ........ .........the Memorial Walk
Figures along the Memorial Walk Don found his uncle's name
Mindful of our return train departure time, the leaders encouraged a slightly quicker pace as we headed back downhill from whence we came – partly on the final section of the Great North Walk at it reaches Newcastle – past The Obelisk and then to our final object of historical interest: Newcastle’s All Saints Anglican Cathedral. Don B gave a short description of the history of the cathedral (designed by the prominent architect Horbury Hunt in the late 1880s), with its many construction stops and starts over 43 years before its completion – only to be badly damaged in the 1989 Newcastle earthquake! It was finally restored to its present condition only in 1997.
Newcastle Cathedral - external, and internal. Really?
Continuing downhill, there was time for a quickish coffee (well done that café!) before the leaders anxiously herded everyone to the light rail at Queens Wharf for the short trip back to the Interchange to board our 3:12pm return train to Sydney. It had been quite a day, still, the chatter continued on board, although there may have been one or two heavy eyelids observed here and there….
Replete bird snapped by alert photographer One of the many beautifully restored and maintained houses
Don B with John G (leaders) walked with Anne G, Annette Elp, Bella and Pete, Bert, Cherry, the Christines G and S, Don Wo, Elaine, Elizabeth, Helen A, Lyn, Lyndy, Mary, Sue and Michael, Robyn Ma, Ros, Susan B, Vreni and visitors Wendy and Craig (Newcastle) and Julie (USA).
First Aid: Ros and Lyndy
Tail End: Michael
Words; John G
Photos: Chris S ( 19); Helen A (24); Pete R (1,3,5,6,7,8,9,13,14,16,20,21,22,23); Don Wo (2,4,10,11,12,15,17,18,).