Newcastle was the land of free food for the backpacker. And the land of coal exports from Australia. There’s a big port there, and a queue of ships waiting to come into the harbour when you look out to sea. Regardless, I think Newcastle is somewhere I could actually live quite happily. Just a nice atmosphere, nice seaside, nice!
I stayed in the fantastic YHA in town… all wood panelling and leather sofas. Just round the corner from the town, not 5 minutes from the beach, and quite handy for the Hunter Valley. The first night was a free sausage sizzle and bingo in a local hotel bar. Couldn’t say no really. Didn’t win – although was just one number away from a full house, but also one number too late!
Took a day trip the next day to the Hunter Valley, chocka full of grapes, and hence wine. I was on the tour with a couple of pale English girls, newly arrived in Australia, and who looked barely old enough to be drinking. They had just graduated though, so were old enough to try some of the lovely wines at the 4 vineyards we visited. It was a day of much wine, but no drunkenness only vague tipsiness. One vineyard had 13 wines, fortified wines and ports for us to try… blimey, not bad for free too! And the day completed with free pasta meal at the local pub.
Day 3 was a day of pampering. New shoes, new hair (well, a haircut anyway), relaxing with a book and then mayhem. A free BBQ at a distant pub, one bad influence in the form of Aussie girl Rowena, several drinks later and I was on stage ‘singing’ karaoke. Oh dear.
Next stop, Sydney!
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