Coal city now a gem
Newcastle’s ability to hold on to its glorious past while transforming into a vibrant city impresses
In 1804, Lieutenant Charles Menzies, the founder of the permanent settlement, decided that this track would become the first street in a town he called “Kingstown”.
Menzies built his Commandment’s House on this street and also put in a wharf to facilitate coal transportation to Sydney.
Some 20 years after Menzies arrived, Watt Street was officially named after James Watt, a steam engine pioneer made famous by the 19th century English Industrial Revolution.
The imposing Customs House lies at the intersection of Watt Street and Bond Street. This important townscape element, with its dark cream brick and contrasting sandstone detail, epitomises the maritime and commercial history of Newcastle.
Its western end has a 32-metre-high clock tower, lantern and time ball, only one of three examples still intact in Australia. The time ball fell at 1pm daily until the outbreak of World War II when it was spirited away to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. Today, this heritage listed building designed in the Italianate Renaissance Revival style is home to the Customs House Hotel.
The Convict Lumber Yard lies a short distance away. This penal outpost, established in 1804, was reserved mainly for convicts who committed secondary offences. Some of its inmates included those who were responsible for the 1808 Rum Rebellion, the only successful armed takeover of government in Australian history.
In those days, the Yard served not only as a storage area for coal, timber and lime produced by the convicts but also as a stockade and barracks for soldiers guard- ing the harbour. Other significant buildings in this area include the Paymaster’s Office and the Stationmaster’s Residence.
Making a left turn into Scott Street, I soon enter the city’s residential and warehouse precinct. This area began booming in the late 19th century when terrace and semidetached housing, guesthouses, shops and cafes started making their appearance.
The tram service extension along Scott Street to Parnell Place during the 1890s provided the people with a good and reliable source of transportation. Among the notable buildings to lookout for here are the Earp Gillam Bond Store and Zaara Street Power Station.
WALKING DOWN THE STAIRS
Leaving the large warehouses and quaint Victorian era residences behind, I walk down the Jean Perrett Stairs and head towards the former rail marshalling yards and old commercial wharf area. From there, the route heads south along Nobbys Road with Fort Scratchley on my right. After walking for about 20 minutes I arrive at the Coal Monument in Parnell Place.