Newcastle NSW

The journey south continues, bringing with it a subtle but noticeable theme: the further we travel, the more the urban growth, infrastructure and natural environment seem to assert their accessible, yet indestructible presence.

Newcastle started with an incline, the first of which, known simply as “The Hill,” took us soaring up to the cliff tops. From there, the vast view stretched back over the city.

The Hill top also allowing us to scan the sea for whales which we failed to spot yet again.

However, the true splendour was the Memorial Walkway, a profoundly fitting monument to the fallen, made even more significant given the time of year.

Metal craftwork depicting images of a time gone by cast stunning shadows in the mid-afternoon sun.

Our footsteps gently caressed these images, a silent testament to the sacrifice, making us feel as if we walked alongside those remembered.

The path down to the shoreline afforded genuinely lovely views.

Winding down we discovered “The Bogey Hole” a natural rock pool where the ocean filled the recess to deliver natural bathing pools.

It was warm and slightly humid, which undoubtedly encouraged the local winged inhabitants to take a particular interest in us. Wafting arms and hands became the temporary order of the day, a constant, slightly absurd challenge to clear the air of inbound flies.

Our only sanctuary lay several hundred yards away, upon reaching the beach and the blessed relief of the ocean breeze, a chance for Helen to take to the water!

Down below, the surf was definitely up.

Those who were able, demonstrated some impressive board skills, set against a fantastic backdrop of churning Pacific waves, blue skies and ships bound for the distant horizon.

Helen provided the entertainment again—not quite as prolific as her antics in Guadeloupe, perhaps, but certainly enough to give James a genuine chuckle at the time.

The subsequent stroll out along the breakwater, towards Nobby’s Lighthouse, proved decidedly blustery.

It was here, amidst the crashing spray, that we caught a sudden glimpse of nature's raw power: a dark, double-finned shadow that sliced by in a flash, heading swiftly toward the port.

We later found more entertainment provided by the local seal life at the very end of the breakwater.

Two’s company, we felt lucky to have again witnessed the wonders of the sea in living action, though the shark did make us intensely aware of the dangerous reality beneath such natural beauty.

Evening relaxation back at the Lucky Hotel was perfectly enjoyable, particularly the ice-cold Victoria Bitter (that’s VB for those in the know!).

Next stop: the Aussie big smoke.