Newcastle was originally inhabited by Awabakal and Worimi tribal people who are regarded as the custodians of the region. Initially the area was known as Muloobinba by the tribes. Newcastle was discovered by Lieutenant John Shortland after he was sent on a mission to arrest certain fugitive criminals. He was the first European to explore and name the place and it was his landing on 9 September, 1797 which is now celebrated as the founding day of the Newcastle city. Shortland had found extensive coal reserves in the region which was then exploited over the years by many European countries. Newcastle remained as a penal colony for 20 years and it was in 1823 that the military rule ended in the city. Thereafter the city grew up as a thriving city and people came and settled here.
Newcastle enjoys a temperate climate with cool winters and warm summers. During the summer months of December, January and February the temperatures soar up to 27�C or more. In the winter months of June, July and August the temperatures drop down to 17�C or more. The average annual rainfall in the region is 1,103mm in a year. Violent storms are quite common in the region and these cause a great deal of damage to people and property.
Newcastle is very well-connected to all major Australian cities by rail, road, bus and air transport facilities. Newcastle is served by the New South Wales City Rail Network and there are daily services from Sydney. CountryLink trains and coaches connect Newcastle to Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and other major cities. Newcastle is also well-served by the pacific Highway, Golden Highway, New England Highway and F3 Highway. The regional airport of Newcastle is also located close to the city. There are direct flights to Sydney, Brisbane, The Gold Coast, Melbourne and Canberra. Newcastle city also has private bus services from the major destinations of Australia.
Newcastle has earned a great reputation for its cultural wealth and heritage. Every year various cultural functions like This Is Not Art, Newcastle Jazz Festival and Shoot Out Film Festival are organised in the city. Newcastle is also the home of several galleries, both public and private. The Newcastle Regional Art Gallery hosts exhibitions of contemporary works and of Australian visual artists. Newcastle also has a rich musical culture and several theatres are also present in the city.
Some of the popular tourist destination sites of Newcastle include:
- The Foreshore Park
- King Edward Park
- The Obelisk
- Bogey Hole
- Canoe Pool
- Nobbys
- Blackbutt Reserve
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Merewether Ocean Baths
- Hunter Region Botanical Gardens
- Glenrock State Conservation Area
Newcastle offers a wide range of accommodation options like hotels, morels, lodges, houseboats, tourist camps, resorts and cottages. Few of the cheap and luxurious accommodations in Newcastle include:
- Hotel Comfort Inn Hospitality
- Hotel Capri Plaza
- Hotel Ibis
- Executive Inn
- Hotel Comfort Inn Macquarie