A new, immersive audio tour at Macquarie Pier offers everyone from kids, parents to history buffs a free trip back through time at one of Newcastle’s most iconic locations this school holidays.
The Macquarie Pier walkway up to Nobbys Headland, now offers all visitors the chance to don the earphones and travel into the past from the time of the dinosaurs, through the war years and up to the modern day – all while walking in one of Newcastle’s most gorgeous locations.
The audio tour is complemented by ten interpretative signs jam-packed with interesting information along the walkway visitors can read as they listen to the stories and sounds that bring everything from the volcanic activity 300 million years ago that created Nobbys-Whibaygamba Headland to the shelling of Newcastle by a Japanese submarine that entered the harbour during the war.
The 900m reconstructed walkway provides a perfect path for a walk with energetic kids for a wander through history or a bike ride to burn off energy, with a widened waterside footpath, a space for gathering and relaxing, sandstone seating and maritime-style fencing – and perfectly positioned to take a dip at Nobbys Beach when you’re done.
The popular harbourside walkway seamlessly compliments the 6-kilometre Bathers Way coastal walk.
All parents need is a QR reader, a device and some headphones to access the guide for the kids to step back into Newcastle’s rich past.
It’s free and engaging for parents and children alike.
Port Authority of New South Wales CEO Philip Holliday said the project is about giving back to the people who live, work and enjoy the areas we operate around the Harbour.
“It’s been terrific to collaborate in developing this immersive audio tour and informative signs packed with historical facts and photos – we hope others love it as much as we do,” Mr Holliday said.
The interpretative signage and guide completes Port Authority’s overall revitalisation of Macquarie Pier.
Macquarie Pier is a much-loved attraction for Novocastrians and tourists, and a landmark for 200 years.
The Macquarie Pier Revitalisation Project is jointly funded by the NSW Government in association with Port Authority of NSW, and has been generously supported with contributions from Port of Newcastle. The NSW Government’s Newcastle Port Community Contribution (NPCC) Fund supports community projects around the Port of Newcastle.
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