On the Road Again 2026 – Day 5 Newcastle Magic

Day 5 Friday 12/6/2026 Newcastle

Gosh, that was a nice sleep in. Woody walked around Stockton while I snoozed.

Stockton having been a working-class suburb for the heavy industry of Newcastle, has an interesting array of houses. Those workers’ homes are transforming into homes and holiday rentals that have ocean views and proximity for city workers who want to live in what must be the quietest part of Newcastle. The shopping strip is quaint with an art deco theatre and a 1930’s hotel.

We walk down to the wharf to catch the ferry that traverses the Hunter River every few minutes. Five minutes later and a $1 fare and were alighting in the city and dodging trams. It is a steep hilly city with fine views of the river.

We wander about gawking at the buildings, many of which are now merely facades for modern apartment buildings. We’re on the search for the main Hunter Street before discovering that we are already on it. I’m furiously peering at Google maps, while Woody is looking for street signs that only seem to appear when you don’t need them. Magical eh?

We do manage to find an excellent coffee shop after which we spot a convict hewn sandstone stairway up to the next street. Maidenhair ferns sprout from cracks, and it seems to be a more interesting walk than other offerings. We catch our breath and admire the river view before realising that an iron fence blocks our exit to the street. Back down we trudge to take the newer yet boring footpath.

We soon find ourselves in an area of eclectic house styles. There are casement windows, row houses, terraces, timber homes with upstairs rooms jutting precariously over the footpaths. Frangipanis abound with the last of the season’s leaves still clinging on. We find tiny Pacific Park dominated by an enormous old Moreton Bay fig, oh the stories it could tell. There’s a plaque to a favourite matron and if I recall there used to be a hospital near here.

With aching feet, we follow the riverside path back to the Queens Wharf hotel. Filled with ‘Friday Long Lunchers’ this very welcoming little pub is humming with conversation and laughter. The burgers and wraps are good and it’s nice to relax with a cheeky chardy and not have to worry about driving. Sunshine, warmth, salt water and a good lunch, it doesn’t get much better than this.

As we toddle down the ramp to the ferry, we pass a group of teenagers having a school fishing class. With surfing classes and fishing classes, the kids on the east coast really do have it good. It’s a pleasant stroll back to the caravan park admiring the houses along the way.

Dinner is crumbed chicken cooked in the air fryer, perfect for a quick and lazy meal.