Newcastle is New South Wales’ second largest city behind Sydney.

The modern beachside city boasts an intriguing colonial and maritime history, spectacular coastline, vibrant cultural life and a Mediterranean climate.

The city has some of Australia’s best surfing and swimming beaches as well as the unique ocean baths – the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Newcastle is the gateway to the world famous wine region of the Hunter Valley. Other attractions include pristine waterways and sand-dunes, gracious historic buildings and World Heritage listed rainforests.

These diverse attractions are all located within easy one hour access of the port and offer visitors a wide-ranging choice of activities - from the wine connoisseur to the thrill seeker.

The Port of Newcastle has employed a Cruise Co-ordinator responsible for developing and servicing the local cruise industry under the title, Cruise Hunter. C

ruise Hunter assists the cruise industry (free of charge) with all aspects of cruising including marketing, pre-planning port calls, providing cruise lines and Ground Handlers with the latest tourism product information, and providing landside services that ensure passengers have a memorable experience in Newcastle.

Cruise ships are choosing to visit Newcastle because of our great mix of tourism experiences, the friendliness and welcoming nature of our people, and the cooperation of local stakeholders to make sure each port call is successful.

For shore excursion options and port information visit: www.cruisehunter.com.au or check out the flip-book brochure at www.sharethesecret.com.au

Tabs

Activities

With an ideal climate all year round, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley are great places to swim or surf, play golf or just get lost in nature with bushwalking, horse riding or dolphin watching. For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, the region’s unique art galleries, shopping districts and cafe clusters await.

The Hunter Region offers an array of attractions all located within an hour drive of the port. The Hunter is a passenger’s delight with much to see and do. All the following sightseeing attractions offer full or half day options:

Sightseeing Opportunities (Full Day)

  • Hunter Valley Vineyards & Gourmet Food - sample some of the world’s most famous wines from over 120 wineries located within the Hunter Valley and taste the many gourmet delights.
  • Hunter Valley Gardens – 25 hectares of amazing sights, colours and fragrances in stunning feature gardens.
  • Stockton Sand Dunes - explore one of the worlds largest sand dune systems by 4wd or quad bike. Sandboard down dunes over 30 metres in height or try your luck at pippi catch and release.
  • Dolphin Watch Cruise – watch Port Stephens very own bottlenose dolphin colony
  • Play a round of golf at one of the regions golf courses nestled among the backdrop of Hunter Valley vineyards or pristine beaches.
  • Barrington Tops - travel the upper Hunter Valley to this rugged World Heritage national park
  • Lavender Farm – visit lavender farms boasting all things lavender; beauty and body products and lavender-infused foods including cakes, vinegars and jams.
  • Deep Sea Fishing - fish for famous Australian seafood such as snapper, jewfish, kingfish, morwong and flathead
     

Sightseeing Opportunities (Half Day)

  • Newcastle Highlights Tour – discover the inner city attractions of Fort Scratchley, Christ Church Cathedral, the Maritime Museum and regional Art Gallery providing an interesting understanding of the history of Newcastle.
  • Blackbutt Reserve - see Australia animals such as koalas, possums, wombats, echidnas and emus.
  • Maitland Gaol – experience life behind bars at one of Australia’s most notorious gaols. Learn what prison life is really like from one of the prisons former in-mates.
  • Morpeth – visit the quaint village of Morpeth and shop for arts and crafts
  • Learn to Surf – learn to surf at some of Australia’s most well-known beaches. Ideal for people of all ages and ability.
  • Walking or Cycling tours of Newcastle – take in the historic past of the city and the stunning coastline past many beaches, ocean baths and rugged cliff faces.
  • Helicopter joy flight – take a view of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley from luxury of a helicopter.

More shore excursion information can be viewed at www.cruisehunter.com.au or www.visitnewcastle.com.au

Customs

Working hours

Customs Officers 24 hours
Quarantine Officials 24 hours
Immigration Officials As for Customs

Customs and Immigration

Passenger Manifest Three copies at the first port of call with one copy to Immigration with the passengers card one copy to Customs and the third copy to remain on board the ship.
Embarking Passenger Manifest 3 copies - 1 to Customs 1 to Port 1 stays
Crew Manifest 2 - 1 at first port to Immigration 2nd stays.
Stores List 2 (Aust. Customs Service and Sydney Ports Corporation
Customs Declaration (Ship) 1 (Australian Customs Service)
Customs Declaration (Crew) 2 (Australian Customs Service)
Forms Comments All forms listed above are produced at the first Australian port of call and then one copy of each form travels on board the ship to be produced at subsequent ports.
Customs Declaration (Passengers) One at first Australian port of call only.

Port health

Health Declaration One (pratique) at first Australian port of call only

 

Ground Operations

The following Ground Handlers are CDU members and supply superior ground handling services throughout Australia.

Port Approach

Approach

Arrival Departure Restrictions Yes
Tidal Variation 1.5m average
Prevailing Currents n/a
Prevailing Winds  
Length of Channel 1.9 nautical miles
Depth of Channel 15.2 m
Comments Movements subject to ship handling guidelines

Depth and breadth of turning basin

Location of Turning Basin n/a
Diameter n/a
Depth 15.2m

Pilotage

Pilotage Name Newcastle Port Corporation
Pilotage Address Wharf Road, Newcastle, New South wales, 2300, Australia
Pilotage Phone No +61 2 4985 8292
Pilotage Fax No n/a
Is Pilotage Compulsory Yes
Position of Pilot Pickup 3.5 nautical miles bearing 125 degrees of Nobbys head
Distance from Berth 5.4 nautical miles
Pilot VHF Channel n/a
Description of Pilot Boat aluminium hull, yellow superstructure
Pilot Hours 24 hours
Pilotage Fees Available from Newcastle Port Corporation
Port Services
The following ACA member offer superior service throughout the region.

Port Operations/Services

Inchcape Shipping Services - Newcastle Office
Address Suite 3, Level 1, Cowper Street
  Carrington  NSW 2294
Telephone

Tel: +61 2 4940 0251 

24 hour contact

Tel: +61 2 4940 0251 

Fax

Fax: +61 2 4940 0812 

   
Email

Newcastle@iss-shipping.com 

Contact Karlie Taylor
 
 

Towage

Are tugs available Yes
Are tugs compulsory Yes
Tug operators name Svitzer
Tug operators fax +61 2 4940 0428
Ship or tug lines Tugs
Tug working hours Available 24 hours

Linesman

Working hours 24hours

Port officials

Working hours 24hours
Overtime yes

Stevedoring

For details of suitable stevedores, please contact the Shipping Agent

Provedoring

Yes. Refer to Shipping Agents for details.

Telephones

Telephones Yes
How many 1
Notice required Yes

Bunkering

Fuel Grades All
Quay or barge Quay
Suppliers Several, all by road

Water

Fresh Water Yes
Exquay or barge Quay
No of hoses 2 connections
Capacity per hose/hour n/a
Tonnes per hour guaranteed n/a
Type of connect Female
Connect size in inches Various

Dry garbage

Dry garbage Yes
Barge alongside No
Containers available No
Size of containers n/a
Number available n/a
Incineration or dump Subject to contractor
Facilities to transport Subject to contractor

Wet garbage

Wet garbage Yes
Ship or shore pump Subject to contractor
Sludge disposal Yes
Sludge details Subject to contractor

Charges

Port Charges n/a

Repair facilities

Nearest dry dock In port, Forgacs, Newcastle
Length 205m x 33.5m
Maximum Tonnage 45,000 dwt
Divers Available Yes
Engineering facilities Yes

Dredging

Dredging undertaken Yes
Dredging when 45,000 dwt

 

Port Operator

Port operator

Name Newcastle Port Corporation
Address Cnr Scott & Newcomen Street, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 2300
Telephone +61 2 4985 8222
Facsimile +61 2 4926 4596
Web Site www.newportcorp.com
Email Address mail@newportcorp.com

Berth details

Berth Throsby Wharf
Maximum draft 10.0m
Tidal variation 1.5m average
Berth length 210m
Guaranteed berthing for cruise ships Yes - Advance booking required
Are other ships able to dock No
Cargo ships at dock No
Security fences Yes
Berth Dyke Point
Maximum draft 12.8m
Tidal variation 1.5m average
Berth length 238m (300m LOA ships facilitated for)
Facilities Dolphin Berth tie up
Guaranteed berthing for cruise ships Yes - Advance booking required.
Are other ships able to dock No
Cargo ships at dock Yes
Security fences Yes

Nearest Ports

Australia Sydney (71 Nautical Miles)
  Brisbane (486 Nautical Miles)
Nearest Major Overseas Port Noumea, New Caledonia (1053 Nautical Miles)
  Auckland, New Zealand (1245 Nautical Miles)

 

Terminal

Terminal facilities

Terminal Building Temporary facility provided free of charge
Meet and Greet Facilities Yes
Toilet Facilities Yes
Telephones No
Availability of Maps and/or Brochures Yes
Souvenir Shopping Yes
Money Exchange No, in city centre
Is the US Dollar Accepted? No

A permanent multi-purpose cruise terminal facility will be built at the Channel Berth within the Port’s Carrington Precinct which meets current and future cruise industry requirements including berthing for vessels up to 320m in length. Estimated completion late 2018. 

Transport

Closest Airport to Pier Newcastle Airport
Distance to Airport 30km
Transport to Airport Taxis [approx $Aud50]
Can Passengers Walk to Town Yes
Drive Time from Pier to Shuttle Stop not applicable
Distance from Pier to Town Centre 500m
Are Shuttle Buses Necessary No, but are provided free of charge by Port Authority
Suggested Shuttle Stop in Town Central Business District, harbour foreshore & beaches
Availability of Taxis at Pier Yes
Availability of Public Transport at Pier Yes
Other Forms of Transport at Pier Yes

Tour buses

Distance from Ship to Tour Buses 50m
What is the Normal Coach Capacity Wide range depending upon requirements
Are Tour Buses Air Conditioned Yes
Are Refreshments Provided on Buses No-but on request
Are Cold Towels Provided on Buses No
Are Step Stools Provided on Buses Yes

 

Tourism