Fort Scratchley
Fort Scratchley is a fascinating piece of Newcastle's past, overlooking Newcastle's magnificant coastline and iconic Nobbys headland.
Operating hours
The Fort is open 6 days a week, closed Tuesdays, from 10am to 4pm, with free general admission and free self guided tours around the barracks and above ground defence structures. To get the full picture of the operations at Fort Scratchley take a paid full site tour or tunnel tour. The Fort Scratchley Historical Society volunteers operate the guided tours and a small shop which sells gifts, souvenirs and light refreshments.
Full site and tunnel guided tours
Full site and tunnel guided tours are available at regular intervals each day the Fort is opened. Daily tour times are displayed near the shop with the last tour departing at 2.30pm. Other times are available by appointment. View current Fees and Charges 2009-2010 (282kb pdf).
Group bookings
Group Tour bookings are welcome, to register your interest in group tour bookings please download Group Tour Booking Form (346kb pdf) and return it to Newcastle City Council or contact lbradley@ncc.nsw.gov.au, phone 02 4974 5033.
Modern facilities and room hire information
Fort Scratchley Historical site is available to hire for events outside or normal opening hours, including wedding ceremonies, photography and filming.
The Fort Scratchley site houses a state of the art multi-purpose centre with sweeping ocean, harbour and city views combined with first class modern facilities. Additionally, the Fort can cater for smaller functions in the old Barracks, which were constructed in 1886 as accommodation for permanent soldiers. The Barracks are made up of two adjoining rooms which open onto a small balcony which offers brilliant foreshore and harbour aspects.
To register your interest in conducting an event or hiring rooms on site contact newcastlecityhall@ncc.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 4974 2948.
Some Fort Scratchley history ..
Fort Scratchley is situated on the eastern end of Newcastle on the site originally named Braithwaite’s Head by Lieutenant John Shortland. Convicts created Australia's first coal mine here in 1801.
The Fort is a remaining example of late 19th century closed work fort complexes in NSW.
To protect the coastline in the event of an attack in 1828 an earthern battery named Fort Battlesticks was constructed, and the site, after being handed over to the Army in 1843, became known as Signal Hill.
Further fears of an enemy attack saw a permanent facility completed and it was renamed Fort Scratchley after Lieutenant Peter Scratchley who was responsible for planning the permanent facility.
The first guns were mounted in 1866 to protect the Newcastle Harbour entrance. They were 32 pounder smooth bore guns and were replaced in 1874 by 68 pounder guns. 1877 saw recommendations for three 9 inch rifled muzzle loading and four 80 pounder guns to be installed.
In 1881 construction of the fort commenced. Construction was of reinforced concrete and brick, and blended into the hillside to expose a minimal area to attack. Designed by G.A Orell, the Fort was built by a local builder James Russell. In 1886, additions such as a new soldiers’ barracks and stockade were made.
1942 saw action, when a Japanese submarine, which attacked Newcastle on June 8th, 1942, was repelled.
If you want to learn more about the history and some of the amazing stories behind Fort Scratchley visit www.fortscratchley.org or to learn about the Fort Scratchley Historical Society visit www.fortscratchley.org.au
