With commanding views of Nobbys Beach, the harbour, and Nobbys Head, Fort Scratchley sits grandly atop Signal Hill in Newcastle’s East End. 140 years old and beautifully preserved, the Fort delights both adults and children. Simply put, it’s a place where the kids’ imaginations can run wild.
Fort Scratchley, with its breathtaking 360-degree views, is a true Newcastle treasure. Explore its depths on the Tunnel Tour and discover its fascinating history.
The guided tour begins at the tunnel entrance – you may have even passed it by without realising it was there. Your guide, dressed in full uniform, will greet you, ready to transport you back in time.
The kids’ faces will light up with excitement as you enter the tunnels and start your adventure.
The Fort Scratchley tour guides are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable and their sense of humour makes the tour interesting and fun. The guides involve children on the tour, asking them questions and testing them on facts throughout the walk. They’re great at keeping the kids engaged, which is vital when a tour consists of talking and standing for periods of time.
The tour is around 90 minutes but it won’t feel that long as you move swiftly between rooms and throughout the tunnels.
This tour is recommended for children aged 8 and up, particularly those who enjoy stories of war and historical artifacts. Younger children may find it less engaging.
Younger children not up for the tunnel tour? No problem! Fort Scratchley is the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon. Enjoy ice cream, breathtaking ocean views, and the unique charm of the rolling green hills sloping down to the ocean.
Wander through the five museum rooms of the army barracks, then climb the hill to see the impressive guns. Each visit to Fort Scratchley promises new and exciting discoveries within its historic buildings and installations.
An an-onsite Artillery store sells a range of refreshments, souvenirs and gifts. The refreshments are light, so if it’s lunch you’re after, it’s best you pack something for the kids, or indulge in something afterwards at any one of the cafes around the East End.
If you’re visiting Fort Scratchley on a day it’s open, try to catch the 1 pm gun firing – a thrilling experience! The blast is quite loud, so it’s a good idea to prepare children beforehand.
Fun facts about Fort Scratchley:
- Fort Scratchley was built in 1882 by independent contractors and only took 18 months to build.
- The Fort was built to defend our Port against possible Russian attack however has only ever shot its guns once at enemies, namely a Japanese submarine trying to invade the Port during World War II.
- The traditional gun firing that happens daily at 1 pm coincides with the dropping of the time ball upon Customs House over in Bond Street, this would alert Sea Captains to adjust all navigation instruments.
- On special occasions such as Australia Day and Anzac Day, the big guns of Fort Scratchley (6” Mk VII Guns) are fired. They also fire on the June long weekend to commemorate the anniversary of the shelling of Newcastle on 8 June at
2.17am 1942.
Address: Nobbys Road, Newcastle East, New South Wales
Phone: (02) 4974 5033
Hours: Fort Scratchley is open from
Cost: General admission to Fort Scratchley is free. Cost applies for full site and tunnel tours.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, due to the narrow stairs and hallways, the tour is unsuitable for wheelchairs, walkers, prams and strollers.
For more information, visit the Fort Scratchley website.
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Explore Nobbys Headland on Weekends
Take a Walk Through History at Macquarie Pier at Nobbys Breakwall