March 31, 2018
Newcastle is our first cruise port. We arranged to take an excursion tour -Newcastle sights-of the city today.
Our first stop was the Newcastle Museum. We had an hour to explore the 3 sections of the museum. We went to the historical section and spent most of our time was spent viewing the exhibits which included a restored street car.
http://www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/Home
It was interesting to see the different years of immigration to Australia and the ethnic groups that settled in Newcastle.
Greeks were among the Europeans who settled here in amongst the ones who were affected by WW II.
There was also an exhibit dedicated to the history of the steel industry in Newcastle. The steel factory closed in 1999 and now the main industry is coal and other exports.
Our next stop is the Blackforest Nature Reserve.
It is a small park with native animals on display similar to a zoo. Some of the exhibits were closed.
Only comment I have on this place is lack of signage-no directions nor signs indicating what birds/animals were in the enclosures.
Across the park was a fenced area with kangaroos and wallabies.
Our last stop was at Fort Scratchley which is now a historic site.
https://www.fortscratchley.org.au/
It has a commanding view of the bay.
We have 45 mins to walk around and take photos and see the exhibits in the fort.
Our bus ride back to the ship took us along the bay where there were many restaurants.
Back in time for lunch.
Free time until dinner, evening show and then bed.
The next two days are sea days which will be good- we can rest and be ready for the rest of the ports.
Newcastle is our first cruise port. We arranged to take an excursion tour -Newcastle sights-of the city today.
Our first stop was the Newcastle Museum. We had an hour to explore the 3 sections of the museum. We went to the historical section and spent most of our time was spent viewing the exhibits which included a restored street car.
http://www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/Home
It was interesting to see the different years of immigration to Australia and the ethnic groups that settled in Newcastle.
Greeks were among the Europeans who settled here in amongst the ones who were affected by WW II.
There was also an exhibit dedicated to the history of the steel industry in Newcastle. The steel factory closed in 1999 and now the main industry is coal and other exports.
Our next stop is the Blackforest Nature Reserve.
It is a small park with native animals on display similar to a zoo. Some of the exhibits were closed.
Only comment I have on this place is lack of signage-no directions nor signs indicating what birds/animals were in the enclosures.
Across the park was a fenced area with kangaroos and wallabies.
Our last stop was at Fort Scratchley which is now a historic site.
https://www.fortscratchley.org.au/
It has a commanding view of the bay.
We have 45 mins to walk around and take photos and see the exhibits in the fort.
Our bus ride back to the ship took us along the bay where there were many restaurants.
Back in time for lunch.
Free time until dinner, evening show and then bed.
The next two days are sea days which will be good- we can rest and be ready for the rest of the ports.
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