Renew Newcastle
Do you sometimes have to wrack your brain to remember how you first met your best friend?
Here's my story of my new infatuation - Newcastle.
It all began when I was reading my favourite mook "Dumbo Feather". Issue 22 to be exact. I read an article about a fellow called Marcus Westbury. I'd never heard of him before (as is the case with most of the people I read about in Dumbo Feather). As DF says, "His passion for the medium-sized, ex-industrial town on the New South Wales coast (and belief in its potential) seems to know no bounds. His most recent, and pretty brilliant, initiative is Renew Newcastle which helps artists, entrepreneurs and craftspeople to make use of the many abandoned and empty shopfronts in 'Newie's city centre' "
That "most recent initiative" is now a few years old and is achieving what Westbury set out to achieve. Interesting, dynamic ventures are moving into the city centre bringing with them hope, youth, culture, revenue, curiousity and learning. For Newcastle its been a win-win situation for both the older established commercial property ventures, the City Council and young people looking for an outlet for their talent and skills.
It was in late 2010 as I was planning my first trip to Newcastle that Lonely Planet announced that Newcastle had been named as one of their Top 10 Cities in the World to Visit! You can read Marcus Westbury's reaction to this announcement here. It was a controversial choice but certainly an exciting one for Newcastle. I packed my bags with anticipation.
We visited Newcastle in late January 2011 (our home had been flooded in the terrible Brisbane floods and our pre-booked holiday was a welcome escape from the clean-up and shonky insurance companies). Despite the articles I'd read on Renew Newcastle and the Lonely Planet accolade I still ventured into Newcastle with low expectations. Wasn't it just a big country town with a steel background? What would there be to like?
Perhaps it was my expectations, but our three day stay ended up being a magical mystery tour as I fell in love with this city.
Here's my story of my new infatuation - Newcastle.
It all began when I was reading my favourite mook "Dumbo Feather". Issue 22 to be exact. I read an article about a fellow called Marcus Westbury. I'd never heard of him before (as is the case with most of the people I read about in Dumbo Feather). As DF says, "His passion for the medium-sized, ex-industrial town on the New South Wales coast (and belief in its potential) seems to know no bounds. His most recent, and pretty brilliant, initiative is Renew Newcastle which helps artists, entrepreneurs and craftspeople to make use of the many abandoned and empty shopfronts in 'Newie's city centre' "
That "most recent initiative" is now a few years old and is achieving what Westbury set out to achieve. Interesting, dynamic ventures are moving into the city centre bringing with them hope, youth, culture, revenue, curiousity and learning. For Newcastle its been a win-win situation for both the older established commercial property ventures, the City Council and young people looking for an outlet for their talent and skills.
It was in late 2010 as I was planning my first trip to Newcastle that Lonely Planet announced that Newcastle had been named as one of their Top 10 Cities in the World to Visit! You can read Marcus Westbury's reaction to this announcement here. It was a controversial choice but certainly an exciting one for Newcastle. I packed my bags with anticipation.
We visited Newcastle in late January 2011 (our home had been flooded in the terrible Brisbane floods and our pre-booked holiday was a welcome escape from the clean-up and shonky insurance companies). Despite the articles I'd read on Renew Newcastle and the Lonely Planet accolade I still ventured into Newcastle with low expectations. Wasn't it just a big country town with a steel background? What would there be to like?
Perhaps it was my expectations, but our three day stay ended up being a magical mystery tour as I fell in love with this city.
Yes, there's the invigoration of the city centre via Renew, but we also loved the historic buildings, the great cafes, the beautiful beaches, the friendly people and the cool little precinkts (especially Darby St Precinkt). To top it off, we stayed at Ashiana Bed and Breakfast which was a divine experience. I can't tell you too much, because the greedy side of me wants to keep it all to myself.
I'd recommend you take a trip to Newcastle and spend quite a few days there. Make sure you acquaint yourself with the latest Renew Newcastle ventures and visit them, use Precinkt to guide you to all of the cool places and, finally, make sure you spend quality time at the beautiful beach areas - sunrise and sunset included.
I'd recommend you take a trip to Newcastle and spend quite a few days there. Make sure you acquaint yourself with the latest Renew Newcastle ventures and visit them, use Precinkt to guide you to all of the cool places and, finally, make sure you spend quality time at the beautiful beach areas - sunrise and sunset included.
Dave / October 28th, 2011
I'd heard mixed reports about Newcastle too, but after we visited we discovered a few little gems making it worth a visit.