The Convict Coal Mines of Newcastle (Coast Series 3 Filmshoot Backgrounder)

When was coal first identified here? And by who? Australia’s first discoveries of coal were in 1791 (unoffically) and 1796 and 1797 (officially, by unnamed fishermen and Lieutenant John Shortland respectively), leading to the first export (1799) and first profit (1801) of a natural resource in this country. 1791 Coal River (Mulubinba) and Government Domain … More The Convict Coal Mines of Newcastle (Coast Series 3 Filmshoot Backgrounder)

Newcastle Coal Mining & Government Mines 1796-1820s

Newcastle Coal Mining & Government Mines – 1796- 1820s By Dr Ann Hardy – April 2014 University of Newcastle’s Coal River Working Party There is confusion about the early coal mines of Newcastle and although the Australian Agricultural Company mines are well documented there is little research on the government coal mines (particularly the coal … More Newcastle Coal Mining & Government Mines 1796-1820s

Newcastle in 1830

The Alexander Turnbull Library, The National Library of New Zealand,  in Wellington New Zealand holds what we believe is the best-ever early map of the township of Newcastle. The map, at Shelf Location MapColl 817.95gbbe/1830/Acc.3580 was drawn by Surveyor John Armstrong, an employee of the Australian Agricultural Company, in 1830, and shows every building and … More Newcastle in 1830

Cooks Hill in 1865

The coloured engraving above is a view taken from the hill overlooking Darby Street in the current suburb of Cooks Hill, Newcastle. Features include: St John’s Anglican Church, (between Darby Street and Dawson Street), directly behind is a train on the Newcastle Coal Company’s Railway, (running along Bruce Street and curving towards Dawson Street), a … More Cooks Hill in 1865