Thursday 1st March 2018
Australia’s second oldest city, Newcastle is named after the coal port. Once a penal settlement, subsequently coal mining and farming became more important and more recently wine and tourism predominate.
St David’s Day
Berthed today in a commercial port area across from Newcastle, and yes it’s main export is coal.
After allowing all the excursion buses to get away took ourselves ashore to catch the shuttle bus into town. Not much obvious to look at in town, couldn’t see much past the roadworks!
A quick look at the shops was not much more productive so decided that the best use of our time was a visit to the hairdressers, prices noticeably less than the ship’s charges.
Meanwhile took myself off along the foreshore watching the exotic parakeets, dozens of them in the trees and on the ground.
At the end of the foreshore strolled on another perfect Australian Beach, Nobby’s beach, and had a paddle in more crystal clear sea water. This yet another beach with only a few people taking advantage. Didn’t go in too far, heeded the warnings of sharks and poisonous jellyfish, perhaps it’s not quite so perfect here.
Back to the hairdressers and then we walked up through the town and back along the foreshore, then a quick climb up the town’s viewing tower for some photos, the tower is soon to be demolished as the local residents are somewhat embarrassed by its symbolism.
Then back on the shuttle for return to the ship.
After sailaway just a few dolphins near the ship, not good views but we must take what is given, so few sightings so far this whole voyage, most disappointing.
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