Fort Scratchley Historic Site - Newcastle
Direct Phone Number : (02) 4974 5000
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There is so much to do at Fort Scratchley Historic Site…
Enjoy a stroll around the site to soak in the history, taking in the breathtaking views, enjoy dolphin or whale-watching with a picnic or immerse yourself in history and undertake a guided tour of the site and through the amazing underground tunnels.
Experience Newcastle’s History at its best...
National Historic Landmark
Europeans first settled in Newcastle for its readily accessible coal and the headland was initially used to display flags and navigational signals for shipping. It was the same coal, and the threat of a fuel hungry Russian fleet in 1877 which caused the British authorities to plan a series of strategic fortifications for national coastal defence.
The large and elaborate state of the fort built at Newcastle during the 1880’s reflected the importance of the region’s resources and the apprehension felt for their safety.
Enemy Attack:
Sixty years later, Scratchley’s massive guns went into action against an attack by a Japanese submarine during World War II, earning it distinction as the only fort on the Australian coast to have fired against enemy attack.
These guns now have pride of place on the Historic Site. The military vacated the site in 1972, but the fortifications remain as a concrete record of the evolution of late 19th and early 20th century coastal defence strategy, until changes in modern warfare technology brought the fort’s defensive role to an end.
Today, the Fort’s Historical Society preserves the military heritage, providing exhibitions and guided tours of the site and its amazing tunnels.