MORE OF NEWCASTLE.

Well the trip home on the Ferry yesterday afternoon wasn’t as smooth as the trip over in the morning. The wind had picked up a bit, and it took a little while to take off after boarding as they have to give way to the huge ships coming in. 

Once we got going it was a lot better than bobbing up and down like a cork at the dock. 😂😂

We were sitting in the caravan this morning and heard one of the ships horns go off. I looked out of the windows in the van, and there were people running around everywhere like ants. 

So not wanting to miss out on anything, Ed and I took off too, and in the rush forgot my phone, even though I had no idea what I was going to look at. 😂😂

We are just a hop, step & jump away from the entrance to the docks, and saw that huge Cruise Ship sailing past the caravan park. 

One of the ladies said to me….”you always know when it’s a cruise ship leaving as they blow their horns a lot to bid farewell”

I must say it was a lovely sight….(doesn’t take much to please me these days)

Ed turned to me and said Bertie would have loved it here as we are so close to see all those huge ships come through. ❤️❤️

So back to our day yesterday….

Walking around, we went to the Tourist Info place. We couldn’t get in at the time,  as Destination NSW were shooting a film for their website. 

So the lovely man that worked there got a map of the city for us and told us all about the places to visit. Our first port of call was the Newcastle Museum. 

Ed wasn’t keen…….but he went in……and I couldn’t get him out. It was an interactive museum, and of course that was good for Ed as he could take part, and touch things. ( there were antibacterial wipes everywhere)

The science part was right up his alley as there were lots of science experiments to do. (It wasn’t busy in the museum so we had it to ourselves a lot of the time)

There was a lot to see, and read about. 

BHP Steel manufacturing was a huge place in Newcastle. It was opened in 1915.

It made huge profits during WW1, making steel for ships, ammunition and guns. 

Since that time, it has employed generations of steelworkers who remained working for the company all their working life. 

For 84 years the plant was like a city in its own right. At its peak, the steelworks employed about 12,000 people.

Global steel demand collapsed, competition from Asia steel producers grew and the profitability of the Newcastle steelworks suffered as a result. It was shut down in 1999.

BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary's) rich history began in a Silver, Lead and Zinc Mine in Broken Hill NSW Australia. Incorporated in 1885, BHP engaged in the discovery, development production and marketing of iron ore, copper, oil and gas, diamonds, silver, lead, zinc and a range of other natural resources. 

It has its fingers in lots of pies… so this was the story of its Newcastle Steel. 

This part of the museum was of great interest to Ed as he used to work in a factory, that made car parts, and the same principle applied, where they also used to pour metal.

Fortunately for us, there was a interpretive show about to start. We were the only ones there.

Ed’s the one in the middle, the other two are dummies 😂😂.

The man in the top left hand corner was doing the commentary, and there was lots of noise as the steel bucket moved across and simulated the pouring of the metal. 

It was a great show…and afterwards Ed said that was exactly what happened when he and his Dad worked in the same factory in Geelong. 

It was nice….as I sat there thinking that both Ed and I have been reminded of our Dads on this trip 🥰

Ed wants to go back as we missed out on seeing this film. It was all the funny and sad stories from the people (men and women,) who actually worked at the Steel factory. 

It was a great day. We spent a lot of time in there, and it amazes me it was so interesting, and there was no admission fee! Although Ed did “donate” a few gold coins on one of the science experiments. 😂😂

So today we went over again on the Ferry. Stupid me, in the excitement forgot my phone. 

We went for a walk again around the town, had no idea where we were going, but found a sign that said “Tunnel To The Beach”

Well anything with the word Beach in it is enough for us. 

O.M.G…..

We came out of that tunnel and straight into a gorgeous cafe with the beach in front. We ordered a beautiful coffee and sat at a table drooling at the lovely sand and the bluest of sea. The waves were lovely. 

So we will go back, with phone, and take photos. 

Honestly, Newcastle has never ever been on our radar to visit. I just knew it as a huge city. But the Stockton caravan Park is definitely one we will return to. 

We are loving the ferry as you can walk to it and leave your car at home. 

I wish I could bring you all here ❤️❤️