Title

Newcastle.

Author

Author not identified

Source

[Not applicable]

Type

About the work

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Newcastle, New South Wales.

THIS Settlement is situated at the mouth of the River HUNTER, about ninety miles, by sea, from SYDNEY. The whole supply of Coals consumed in the Colony is furnished from the mines of Newcastle, and that circumstance has given the spot the name of the Coal River. NEWCASTLE has been for many years the place of banishment, to which refractory Convicts and other malefactors have been sent, by way of punishment; but latterly PORT MACQUARIE has been selected for that purpose, as Newcastle was found, by experience, to be not sufficiently remote from Sydney, and other parts of the Colony, to prevent the escape and return of the prisoners. This Settlement has been recently much enlarged and improved, especially by the erection of several public Buildings; among which are - a Church, public Schools, public Stores, Barracks, Prison, and Hospital. The late Governor MACQUARIE also granted lands to the prisoners, to build dwellings upon. The situation of Newcastle is pleasant, commanding most extensive views, both by sea and land.

The distance described in the Drawing is a point of land, about thirty miles from Newcastle, called PORT STEPHENS, which has a very fine harbour. The other point of land, immediately over the Church, is the NORTH HEAD, called Limeburner's Point, on account of the quantity of lime made there from oyster-shells, which are procured from the river in a surprising abundance. The land there is sandy, and very barren.

Immediately in the centre of the Drawing is a curious Rock, or Island, now called NOBBY'S ISLAND, formerly Coal Island. From this rock to the main land, there is now constructing a BREAKWATER, which, when finished, will join the main land just under the signal-staff at the Light-house, which is seen a little to the left.

The Soil near Newcastle is extremely barren; but, further up the river, there is as fine land as in any part of the Colony, which has lately been allotted to Settlers; some of whom have taken their grants up the RIVER HUNTER, and others at a place called READ'S MISTAKE, about ten miles inland from Newcastle.

There are immense quantities of the finest timber, of the different sorts of the Eucalyptus, growing in the vicinity of Newcastle; and the Casurina also grows here to a very considerable size.

The Botanist and the Naturalist have an ample field expanded to their researches in this vicinity. In this part of the Colony are found those beautiful Birds, the Regent Bird and the Satin B[ower bird].. The usual Birds and Wild Fowl are here in great abundance; and among rare species here is the Green Pigeon, one of the most beautiful Birds known in the Colony. Flocks of Kangaroos, and some of unusually large size, are frequently taken in this neighbourhood. Emues are also met with, hut not in such numbers.

The River abounds with all kinds of Fish peculiar to the country; and, besides the usual variety, possesses many sorts of Water Fowl which are rarely, if ever, found in any other situations.

It is scarcely possible to convey an adequate idea of the rich and enchanting Scenery which presents itself in almost every part of this extensive Lake. After expanding itself in some places to two miles and a half in width, it gradually narrows, and terminates in what is called COCKLE CREEK; which begins at about twelve miles from the entrance at the Sea-coast, and, after making its course towards the Mountain tin four miles, it then branches into several small Creeks, which run from between the several smaller Hills at the base of' the Mountain.

The Timber, which forms a striking feature of the grand Scenery which marks every part of this Lake, consists chiefly of the Eucalyptus species; but the Casurina is here also large and excellent; and the beautiful Mimosa flourishes in almost every direction.

The Water abounds with immense quantities of Wild Fowl, of every description; and there is an abundance also of every sort of Fish. The Natives sometimes take the Sand Mullet, as large as seven pounds, by spearing; and Mud Oysters are gathered as large as eight inches in diameter.

Pigeons, Parrots, Parroquets, and Cockatoos, are here in great abundance.

Accompanying text, 1825.