Fort Scratchley
A 19th-century coastal fort overlooking the harbor entrance, and the only fort on the Australian mainland ever to return fire on an enemy ship.
Fort Scratchley was completed in 1882 to defend against a possible Russian naval attack, and it sits on a hill above Nobbys Beach. In June 1942, a Japanese submarine shelled Newcastle, and the fort returned fire, making it the only fort on the Australian mainland to actually fire on an enemy ship. The fort grounds and gun batteries are free to visit, with views over the harbor and Nobbys Lighthouse. A paid guided tour of the underground tunnels takes about 1 hour and covers the magazines and hidden passages. The fort is run by volunteers and closed on Tuesdays.
Opening hours
Wed–Mon 10:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Newcastle Ocean Baths
- Bathers Way
- Nobbys Head & Nobbys Beach
- Honeysuckle & Queens Wharf Foreshore
- Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle
- Stockton Ferry & Stockton Beach
- Bogey Hole
- King Edward Park