The former three suburbs are primarily residential, with the latter providing the commercial centre of the area. Hamilton is now a thriving business district considered to be the cosmopolitan capital of Newcastle.

According to the 2006 census data, the combined population of the four suburbs in Hamilton is 9,431 people in 4,698 dwellings (in 2001 there were 9,535 people in 4,707 dwellings).

Hamilton has an active Hamilton Business District Committee  which organises events such as the Hamilton Music, Food and Wine Festival.

Sport and Recreation Facilities

Hamilton is home to sporting fields and local parks. A centrepiece is Gregson Park on the corner of Tudor and Steel Streets. Gregson Park includes children’s play equipment, picnic facilities, tennis courts and the Hamilton Bowling Club. Other parks include Learmonth Park and Henry Park in Hamilton South and Corona Street Reserve in Hamilton East.

Go to park facilities and locations for more information about sport and recreation facilities in Newcastle.

Childcare

The Hamilton Child Care Centre is located in Denison Street, Hamilton. It can be contacted on 02 4962 1334.

Library

Hamilton is home to a branch of the Newcastle Region Library. The branch is located at James Street (Corner Murray Street) in Hamilton, close to Beaumont Street. It can be contacted on 02 4974 1340. Visit the library for more information about libraries in Newcastle.

Schools

Hamilton Public School is in Tudor Street and can be contacted on 02 4969 3577, Hamilton North Public School is in Jackson Street, Broadmeadow 02 4969 3695 and Hamilton South Public is in Kenrick Street, Merewether 02 4969 3795.

Transport Options

All parts of Hamilton are an easy bus ride to and from the Newcastle CBD. The Hamilton bus depot is located in the corner of Gordon and Everton Streets. There are bus stops clearly marked along various locations.

Go to The Newcastle and Hunter Bus Timetable  for bus times. Hamilton is also home to a train station on Beaumont Street. Call 131 500  for train timetables and information.

Commercial Centre

Hamilton’s main street, Beaumont Street, boasts a vibrant multicultural atmosphere providing an array of restaurants, retail, fashion and commercial outlets along with day to day services such as pharmacies, banks, florists, hairdressers, fruit shops and delicatessens.

History

Hamilton became a municipality on 11 December 1871. It was named in honour of Edward Terrick Hamilton, the then Governor of the board of directors of the A.A Co. The A.A Co. were instrumental in the growth of the area, operating the mines and owning most of the land. Hamilton was originally known as Pittown, Borehole or Happy Flat.

Hamilton's early history dates from the discovery of coal roughly opposite St Peter's Church in the part of Hamilton known as Cameron's Hill. A borehole was sunk and a shaft was completed in 1849 and known as the D Pit, or borehole. Pittown grew up somewhere in the vicinity of today’s Beaumont street to service the needs of the miners and their families. Hamilton increased in importance when the trainline and station were constructed in January 1887.

The Hamilton area was growing rapidly, by 1928 there were over 400 retail outlets having increased from 80 in 1909.