Newcastle, New South Wales

About 150km north of Sydney at the mouth of the Hunter River is the city of Newcastle. Unfashionably famous in this age of Global Warming for its coal, Newcastle is one of the world’s biggest coal exporters; more coal is shipped out of its port than any other port in the world. On a glorious sunny day Louise and I headed north on the F3 Freeway in the car for a one night visit. Our first stop was lunch at PIE IN THE SKY (pictured below).



Take the Berowra Exit off the F3 and follow the Old Pacific Hwy to Cowan. No, it’s not a biker hangout, as the picture would suggest above, but a place to enjoy some of Sydney’s best pies and a great view over the Kuring-Gai National Park.

Louise chose a plain beef pie with real beef chunks in a flaky pastry. "That pie was divine" Louise said with a smile on her face.

I had the Lamb, honey, and Rosemary Pie, which likewise had thick chunks of meat. Okay, we also devoured two of their scrumptious sausage rolls as well.

To get back on the F3 just keep going straight and then over the Brooklyn Bridge to meet back up with the F3 freeway.

The F3 – six lane highway (three lanes in either direction) and for the majority of the way with a 110kmph speed limit. It’s the main road north out of Sydney.

Take the Newcastle Link Road exit, and then follow the signs to Newcastle. All up it’s around an easy two hour’s drive from Sydney.

Chifley Apartments Newcastle

Earlier in the week, after researching accommodation on Wotif.com, I had booked a one bedroom room at the Chifley Apartments Newcastle for about $180 for the night. The Apartments are located in the Honeysuckle Precinct along the harbour, where the brand new apartment buildings and redevelopment reminded me of the Pyrmont area in Sydney. This is the view from the balcony (pictured below).

After settling in we strolled along the promenade that runs east along the harbor. This is a pleasant walk past restaurants, apartment buildings, and the quaint Crown Plaza, Newcastle.

The promenade led to Nobby Beach (pictured above) where the bulk carrier MV Pasha Bulker ran around in 2007, and for awhile there were fears it might break up her on Newcastle’s main beach.

This is the view towards the CBD from the harbor, where we ambled to next. Past the railway station, and then along the railway line which paralleled the Honey Suckle Precinct. In direct contract to the newness to our right, this is all boarded up Hotels, down market shops, and old historic buildings. It’s quiet, deserted, and well, old. We cross back over the railway line to the 21st Century and the Honeysuckle Precinct. Chifley Apartments Newcastle was very quiet. In fact we rarely saw anyone, not in the hotel or even around the Honeysuckle Drive Development.

We didn't get to see the rest of Newcastle as we spent the evening relaxing in our hotel room. The city really does have a laid back feel. There's a harbour, good beaches, and the beautiful Hunter Valley on it's doorstep where we going tomorrow.

Pie in the Sky
1296 Pacific Highway, Cowan NSW 2081
Open 7 days
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Chifley Apartments Newcastle
14 Honeysuckle Drive
Newcastle NSW