Enjoy the Art of Life in Newcastle

by Laura Wilson on February 22, 2011

It’s Sunday afternoon & it’s raining. My intention of taking photos around Newcastle has been a bit thwarted so I decide to meander instead. As I am walking under an umbrella in the rain, that song, that annoying yet insightful song My Favourite Things from the Sound of Music pops into my head (rain drops on roses, whiskers on kittens etc). I am thinking about Newcastle and my ‘favourite things’. It occurs to me that the art of life is just as valid a topic as art to see in Newcastle. I feel fortunate to live in such a beautiful place, where activities can be free, spontaneous, & discovered at a whim. These are a few of my favourite things…

1. Coffee at Swell, the little sidewalk café at Merewether Beach. Sipping coffee while watching waves, surfers, and people walking past.
2. The walk: from Swell to the Bogey Hole in King Edward Park before a dip in Merewether’s Ocean Baths.
3. A ride on Newcastle’s Tram for a bit of history and a tour of the foreshore area (it leaves from outside Newcastle Railway Station).
4. Buying a unique card or handmade quality gift for a friend from the Newcastle Region Art Gallery shop.
5. Seeing my son’s delight perusing the comics at the Comic Shop (where Union Street meets Hunter Street).
6. Driving down Hunter Street past the Rock Shop reminiscing about Doc Martens and always wanting to go in.
7. Eating a Croquet Monsieur, the delectable sandwich from Snow’s Patisserie on Union Street, toasted on their freshly made bread, then buying a loaf of their sourdough to take home.
8. Finding, and collecting those random free postcards (you know the ones) from cafés along Darby Street.
9. Watching pelicans on the wharf near Scratchleys Restaurant on the Harbour.
10. Hot chips in a white paper cone from Bar Beach Kiosk
11. Sprocket Café on the corners of Watt and Hunter. The atmosphere is great, vinyl records, eclectic furniture and Sloppy Joe (the depression era mince sauce on toast which is the ultimate in comfort food, and at a good price)
12. Walking down ‘Fig Lane’ (Laman St) behind the fountain in Civic Park, enjoying the canopy of trees and the large sculptures in the Foyer of the Newcastle Region Library.
13. Beer. While there are endless pubs clubs and cafés to enjoy a summer drink, my current favourite is Boston’s Pale Ale at the new Honeysuckle Hotel on the Harbour. Cold from the tap, and the venue has a top view of the Harbour.
14. Taking my kids on a scooter/ skateboard ride on the boardwalk in front of the Crowne Plaza and out to Nobby’s Lighthouse.
15. Walking in the rain with an umbrella without hurry, without destination, absorbing all that our city has to offer.

As they say, “It doesn’t get much better than this”.

Please Note: This is just the first of MANY things do in the quest to enjoy the art of life. And while I do not want to discount the equally inspiring areas of The Upper Hunter, The Vineyards, The west side of Lake Macquarie, Maitland and other suburbs, it is easier to contribute what I personally experience. Each of you has your own ‘favourite things’ and I encourage you to add your own list below as an inspiration to others.