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Lieutenant Shortland was the first white man to explore and name the place, and it is his original landing at Signal Hill and Stockton on September 9, 1797, which Newcastle has chosen to mark as the founding of the city.
The Hunter region was already well known to the local Aboriginal tribe - Goori's who had lived here for thousands of years prior to Lt. Shortlands visit.
Lieut. Shortland returned to Sydney Cove with a sketch of the harbour and reports of the abundant coal in the area. Over the next two years several ships sailed to the Hunter for coal and by 1799 sufficient quantities had been brought back to make up a shipment for export.
Newcastle Harbour in the Early 1900's
A new settlement comprising convicts and a military guard, arrived at the Hunter River on March 27, 1804, in three ships, the Lady Nelson, the Resource and the James.
Newcastle remained a penal settlement for nearly 20 years, and, despite the natural beauty of the surroundings and the mild climate it was a nasty place. The military rule was harsh, often barbarous, and there was no more notorious place of punishment in the whole of Australia than Limeburners' Bay, on the inner side of Stockton peninsula, where incorrigibles were sent to burn oyster shells for making lime.
As Australia’s sixth largest city Newcastle offers all the benefits and amenities of a large city but with all the friendliness of a regional town. With its stunning beaches, museum and galleries, cafes, restaurants and the Honeysuckle waterfront developments, there is plenty to find, see and do.
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