Newcastle - heritage city by the sea

Newcastle is the traditional land of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples who have lived in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie for many thousands of years.

The European history of Newcastle dates back to the colonial period when in 1797, Europeans encountered a place with abundant natural resources including coal, lime and cedar, and a harbour at the mouth of the Hunter River.

The city today has a distinct industrial character that derives from a rich and active history as an industrial centre for the growing colonies of early Australia.  The early discoveries of coal in the late 18th century, mining for coal, its transport systems and related industries, have determined the fabric, layout and culture of this region. Throughout the 19th century, coal mining activity spread out from the first convict mines under Signal Hill in 1804 (now called Fort Scratchley), to encompass most of suburban Newcastle by the end of the century. 

The story of this industrial development is a rich and fascinating one.   Many colourful and resourceful personalities became part of this story - their names identify suburbs, streets and buildings throughout the city today - including Merewether, Hamilton, Mayfield, and many many more.

The City of Newcastle is a fascinating place in which to live and visit with an interesting blend of new and old architecture, a rich Aboriginal heritage, and a working harbour. Newcastle is a city with a difference.

Want to find out more? Read about it here:

•  Newcastle City Wide Heritage Study 1996/7 (10.7mb)
•  Newcastle Inner Areas Archaeological Management Plan 1996/7 (6.9mb)

Our historic sites also happen to be great places to visit, for relaxing and unwinding, and immersing in hobbies like photogaphy, blogging, or just catching up with friends.

Merewether Ocean baths have recently been the subject of a great new Blog site, by Andrew at envisagedcity.com. Check out his blogging about the baths here.

Adopted Policy for Newcastle's Archaeological Heritage

The City of Newcastle adopted a Policy for managing the City's archaeological resources in the Newcastle Archaeological Management Plan 1997. The policy should be followed for all areas in the inner city or where you suspect a site has archaeological potential. 

1. It is recognised that the city's archaeological resource forms a finite and irreplaceable part of it's heritage. Every effort should be made to ensure the historical foundations, cultural physical and archaeological evidence of the city will be preserved to provide a direct link and continuity with the past as an essential part of the environmental heritage of the wider community. Newcastle City Council will therefore seek to identify, record and protect the archaeological resources of the city whenever possible.
2. Archaeology should be a fundamental planning consideration for any development proposal, of equal importance to any issue identified under Section 90 of the EP&A Act 1979, and archaeological assessments should be undertaken prior to any redevelopment of archaeological sites or potential sites being granted planning approval.
3. The purpose of this plan is not to preclude redevelopment, but to identify areas where archaeological evidence is likely to occur, and so ensure that archaeological investigations are undertaken when, and only when, appropriate. 
4. In the case of roads and other public spaces, the potential impact on the archaeological resource due to public infrastructure works by government authorities and private utilities is also recognised. Impacts may include disturbance of archaeological sites by ground works, as well as the updating or removal of a utilities own earlier and potentially significant infrastructure. 
5. The information obtained from any investigations is to be collated and made publicly available to allow greater understanding of the city's history, and assist in the accurate identification of other archaeological sites. 
6. It is open to the owners or developers of potential archaeological sites to commission archaeological assessments to either confirm or disprove the site's archaeological potential at any time. 
7. Archaeological sites assessed to be of considerable significance should be conserved in-situ wherever possible. Consideration should be given to on-site interpretation. 
8. Promotion of the importance of the archaeological resource to property owners and developers as well as the broader community should be undertaken as appropriate given financial resources and opportunities.

Renovation and renewal

What do popular TV shows The Block, Renovators, and Jamie Durie's Designers all have in common? Recycling and renewal of old houses and old spaces. These programs show us how achievable it is to take a 'dump' and turn it into something special by keeping old buildings and then re-working them into homes fit for modern living.

Curious about AA Co House?

You wouldn't be unusual there. AA Co House was built as the home of the mine manager by the Australian Agricultural Company (AA CO) between 1848 and 1949. It is one of those uniquely historic places that contains a high degree of authenticity - as such it is valued by Council and the community as a record of the domestic life of successive generations of people since 1848.

The house has been beautifully photographed and featured on the weblog Novocastrian files  by local photographer and weblogger Siobhan. Her photography does poetic justice to the fragments of the past and the spaces within the house.

If you missed the exhibition Brought to Light  at the Lock-Up Cultural Centre you can catch a glimpse of the artworks on the blog. 

Information for students

Interested in heritage approvals, the process of adapting a historic building, colour schemes, or have a specific research interest such as a specific heritage listed building?

You may be interested in our detailed heritage pages - for heritage buildings search the Newcastle Heritage Register, for plans and reports see Heritage Publications and for our range of historic suburbs see Heritage Conservation Areas.

Heritage places challenge us to think creatively and provide inspiration for beautiful, environmentally sensitive design.

Historic buildings can be a catalyst for design and creativity. Think of the Argyle Centre in The Rocks with its massive oregon trusses on view for all to see - it is the patina and the age of the fabric in that building that adds so much beauty and provides a point of difference over modern shopping centres.

Innovative designers and talented architects often love working on historic buildings as the potential for creativity and innovation is enhanced in the heritage setting. Anything is possible with imagination and an understanding of the essential heritage significance of a space.

Heritage Victoria has recently published an excellent website showcasing the types of historic houses found in most parts of Australia. For further detail go to the What House is That?  website.

Newcastle Local Studies Collection is your one-Stop shop for historic plans, maps and images.

Born Again - historic buildings revitalise Newcastle

Did you know that Newcastle has a large number of buildings that were constructed for a different purpose form their current use? Many buildings have been "born again", re-purposed into other uses. This process of adaptation preserves important aspects of the city's heritage. Recycled buildings frame the character of the city and as a City that makes us proud of our heritage of wonderfully transformed historic buildings.

• Newcastle's police lock-up, built in the 1860s, is now the Lock-up Cultural Centre  - museum, exhibition, cultural space, and home to Newcastle Writers' Centre. A must-see inner-Newcastle cultural destination.
• The top hatted Bacchus Restaurant , 141 King Street Newcastle, was originally built as the Central Hall, a place of prayer for Newcastle's Methodists. Bacchus is definitely "to dine-for" on your next outing, and a breathtaking adaptation of a historic building into a new economic use.
• Customs House Bar and Restaurant , 1 Bond Street Newcastle, was once the government's maritime administrative centre, but now a popular function centre and great dining experience. Soak up the history in this architectural legacy of outstanding heritage significance.
• Sprocket Roasters  at the corner of Watt and Hunter Streets, is proof that a historic bank can be transformed into a delighfully quirky cafe and casual dining space with minimal intervention. Sprocket roasters offer great coffee, tantalising treats and watering facilities for your 4-legged friend.
• Ancient heritage listed railways can also be senstively put to enterprising new uses. The Fernleigh walking track and cycleway, stretching 15 kms from Adamstown to Jewells, was originally the Redhead Coal & Company's coal railway. It is now a wonderful pathway that leads through some spectacular scenery, and is loved equally by locals and visitors alike.
• Many residential buildings also tell a story in their evolving uses - Woodlands, 51 Church Street Newcastle, was built as a grand residence, and became a military hospital during world wars. Restored back to its earlier residential use in the 1980s, it is earmarked for conversion to a B&B. 

Recycled buildings and the spaces within them reveal the many layers of history in the City of Newcastle and demonstrate that they are an important aspect of urban renewal and economic revitalisation. 

Heritage Impact Statements

Are you planning to alter a heritage item or a building in a heritage conservation area? You will need to prepare a Heritage Impact Statement:

 Heritage Impact Statement Guidelines (27kb)

Want to find out more about house styles?

Heritage Victoria has produced an excellent on-line resource showcasing the common types of historic houses found throughout Victoria and Australia. The What House is That?  project contains links to heritage blogs, photographs of heritage buildings and an exciting array of information produced for owners of historic buildings. Don't miss it!