HUNTER RIVER, Australia Cruise Port

Newcastle is home to the Hunter River, one of the major rivers in New South Wales. Unlike many ports, when you dock at Newcastle there are buses to take you on the ten-minute drive into town because the harbor is closed to the public. The area is special to Australia’s British penal colony history because it was where the worst behaved convicts were sent, likely because of the Hunter River and ocean borders which make it more secluded than most coastal areas on the continent. Newcastle is also known as the gateway to the Hunter Valley vineyards, the area’s best known wine region. The wine trails are an excellent tourist activity in which to explore the wine making process and learn about the local Semillon harvest and the dry and sweet white wines that come from it. There are plenty of restaurants and shops in the surrounding area to complete the excursion.

• Share in on Australian remembrance at the Newcastle Memorial Walk. This path from the beach and across road and bridges includes cutouts of Australian soldiers equipped with their individual details.
   
• Take in the entirety of this mighty metropolitan on the Bathers Way Coastal Walk. This coastal trek offers a great view of the coastline and on a clear day you just might see local dolphins at play in the nearby waters.
   
• The Newcastle area also has its share of wonderful beaches including Merewether Beach which sits at the bottom of some really impressive cliffs.
   
• Unwind at the Merewether Baths, a perfect spot to watch the sunset before having a swim in the relaxing pools, one for children and one for adults.