Fort Scratchley
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Why go
- Four original 80-pounder guns from the fort’s completion in 1882 remain on site.
- Two 6-inch guns fired at Japanese submarine I-21 on 8 June 1942, the fort’s first combat firing.
- Hilltop views take in the Tasman Sea, Hunter River and the city.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 16:00Show all
Don't miss
- Returned 6-inch gunsTwo guns returned here in 1978 after standing in King Edward Park as a memorial.
- Restored Nordenfelt gunThe fort’s sole Nordenfelt gun was restored to working order in 2015 and is fired on special occasions.
- Maritime hilltopA coal-fired beacon stood here from 1804, followed by a signalling station and semaphore.
- Kangaroo storyA local Aboriginal story tells of a kangaroo leaping from Tahlbihn Point to Whibayganba; its tail thumps explain earthquakes.
Know before you go
- Open Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00–16:00; closed Tuesday.
Tips for your visit
- Combine the visit with Newcastle ocean baths, just east of the fort.
Interesting facts3
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The fort received an Engineering Heritage Marker from Engineers Australia.
Fort Scratchley - Wikipedia -
The City of Newcastle owns the fort, managed by volunteers from the Fort Scratchley Historical Society.
About Fort Scratchley Historical Society: Fort Scratchley Newcastle -
The fort’s nominal roll records men and women who served there.
About Fort Scratchley Historical Society: Fort Scratchley Newcastle
Shorts
History
Local Aboriginal communities recognised the headland’s lookout and coal seams.
- 1797The first recorded European arrivals reached the area on 9 September.
- 1799Coal found at the hill’s base led to commercial mining and a shipment to Bengal.
- 1855Local citizens formed the Newcastle Volunteer Rifle and Artillery Corps amid fears of a Russian attack.
- 1866Two 32-pounder guns were mounted on Signal Hill to guard Newcastle Harbour’s entrance.
- 1877Major-General Sir William Jervois and Colonel Peter Scratchley arrived in the colony to study port defences.
Show all
- 1881–1882Construction began in 1881. Completed in 1882, the fort was designed to defend Newcastle against a possible Russian attack. G A Morell’s plans were approved by Jervois and Scratchley.
- 1892Three nine-inch guns were replaced by four breech-loading disappearing guns.
- November 1972The Australian Army left the site.
How to get there
- On footAccess is from Nobbys Road in Newcastle East; the fort lies between Newcastle and Nobbys beaches.
Sources: Fort Scratchley - Wikipedia · Newcastle (New South Wales) - Wikivoyage (see) · Discover the rich history of Newcastle: Fort Sc… · About Fort Scratchley Historical Society: Fort … · Coastal Historical Museum: Fort Scratchley Newc… · checked 1 Oct 2026
- Website
- fortscratchley.org.au/
- Phone
- 022049293066
Questions and answers
Are Fort Scratchley’s guns fired today?
The Nordenfelt gun and two Mk VII guns are fired on special occasions, including ceremonies and salutes. No regular firing schedule is stated.
Who is Fort Scratchley named after?
The fort is named after Colonel Peter Scratchley, who led its planning.
When did Fort Scratchley reopen as a museum?
The renovated site reopened in June 2008, and its museum was operating by 2009.
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