Duration:
1h30m
Revisit the scenes of the crimes and uncover the unimaginable deeds of Novocastrians from the dark past.
Operated By:
Take a Walk on the Dark Side.
Dig deep into Newcastle’s hidden past as this grand old town’s skeletons beg to come out of the closet.
- Enjoy a leisurely guided walking tour retracing the steps of the city’s most ruthless men.
- Be seduced by the murky world of fraudsters, adulterers and impersonators.
- Unlock the key to the broken heart of a murderer.
- Journey back to the city’s dangerous and sinister past.
- Great photo opportunities with time to enjoy breathtaking scenery.
- Book your ticket now for a unique investigation into a dark and crime-ridden history.
Newcastle with its natural beauty and glorious beaches can only do so much to mask the town’s darkest moments.
Revisit the scenes of the crimes of yesteryear and uncover the unimaginable deeds of Novocastrians from the dark past.
Meets at the corner of Scott St & Watt St, Newcastle; adjacent to Customs House and the Convict Lumberyard. Bring comfortable shoes.
…stories the city tried to forget…
Find Us Online
- Instagram – Dark Stories Newcastle
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Find us for your Tour
The official street address is 104 Scott St, Newcastle
Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start time of your tour at the corner of Scott St & Watt St, Newcastle.
Look for the small strip of green parkland nestled right between the Great Northern Hotel & Customs House Hotel, which is directly across the road from the old Railway Station.
Click here for directions.
Brainteaser Questions
Let’s get you into the Novocastrian spirit with a couple of local trivia questions :-)
Q1. Newcastle was established in 1804 and had a reputation for harsh and frequent punishment for convicts, but it did not start as “Newcastle.” What was the original name of the town/settlement?
a. Newcastle Upon Hunter.
b. Coal River Settlement.
c. New Albion.
d. Van Dieman’s Land.
Q2. Which of the following statements are true about Newcastle’s first gaol?
a. It was designed for 30 inmates, but ended up housing up to 160 prisoners.
b. After opening, it took many years for beds to be provided.
c. Prisoners weren’t classified & grouped into their correct crime category.
d. All of the above.
See the base of this email for answers.
What’s Nearby
We also appreciate you may be wondering what to eat and drink both before and after your tour. You’ll likely be looking for a Bar? A Cafe? Or a Restaurant?
We’ve taken the liberty of listing a few places that we highly recommend. These are not only great options in their own right, but they are also very conveniently located close to the tour start and finishing points.
Coffee and Gelato
G & G Gelato – for authentic Italian gelato handmade on-premises. And you’ll also find a range of all kinds of pasta and delicious sweets.
Bar Restaurants
Customs House Hotel is an iconic dining experience. From its amazing location with spectacular harbour views to it its history steeped walls. With the choice of Modern Australian a la carte dining or a more casual snack menu, dining at Customs is perfect for any occasion. Find them here.
The Great Northern Hotel was orginally built in 1864 and has transformed itself into an iconic East End establishment with an Art-Deco style. The People’s Pub comes equipped with a sprawling art deco pub, live music, jukebox and a relaxed vibe. Find them here.
The Grain Store has a diverse all day menu that has been put together with love and passion. With share plates for groups, quality pizzas, their famous Buffalo Wings, and meals that work well with good beer. Find them here.
Restaurants
Rustica; Mediterranean flavours and North African spices come together with quality, locally sourced produce for a vibrant menu. Add sparkling views overlooking Newcastle Beach and a stunning hand-crafted interior design, and Rustica is an unforgettable dining experience. Find them here.
Rosina’s Pizza Restaurant is the best little Italian Café in Newcastle. The food is great and the services friendly. BYO as well. Great atmosphere as it is only a small café! Bookings recommended! Find them here.
Post tour Cocktails
Blue Kahunas Bar is a tropical rum bar located in Newcastle NSW, cocktail driven and friendly banter to boot. A vibrant inclusive space with tiki inspired cocktails. Find them here.
Basement on Market St offers delicious Italian food as well as a carefully curated selection of cocktails, wines & craft beers! Find them here.
Getting Here by Public Transport
If arriving by Tram; the Newcastle Beach tram stop will let you out directly across the road from the tour starting point.
If arriving by Bus; the Customs House Hotel Bus stop will place you within 20 metres of the tour starting point.
Getting Here by Car
On most evenings, street parking is available within a few minutes walk of the tour start and finishing points.
Occasionally, this wonderful town hosts events & festivals that can make street parking a challenge. On such nights we recommend using the King St Garage multi-storey carpark as the simplest alternative, located a 5-10 minute walk from the tour starting point. Find the carpark here.
Fitness Level
- The tour is approximately 1-2 km in length, taken at a very leisurely gentle walking pace with plenty of stops along the way.
- It usually takes 90-100 minutes with hills kept to as minimal as possible, with some stairs to navigate. Aside from which the tour runs mostly on flat terrain.
Running Late?
- If for reasons beyond control you are running late, please contact us and provide an estimated time of arrival, and the tour host will be notified.
- If you are running more than 10 minutes late, as the tour will have already started, we will attempt to coordinate with you and the tour host for an alternative meeting point.
A1. The answer was b- Coal River Settlement.
Newcastle was established as the Coal River Settlement, primarily because of the method of punishments for convicts was in the form of having to work tirelessly to mine mostly coal.
A2. All of the above.
Prisoners were subject to overcrowding, poor sleeping conditions, and potentially frightful roommates i.e.- 13 year old pickpockets sharing cells with hardened murderers was not a happy combination.
See you soon :-)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Gift Card Purchases are subject to the following terms and conditions:-
– Gift cards can be redeemed for any product in any location.
– Gift cards are valid for 3 years from the date of purchase.
– Gift cards are non-refundable, but remain fully transferable.
Rain and Weather:-
– Dark Stories will contact you via SMS or Email on the day your tour runs if there are weather issues that are likely to impact the tour.
– Please be patient; inclement weather during the day often(but not always) leads to clear skies in the evenings.
– Tours will usually operate under most conditions including sporadic light rain.
– Dark Stories will be in touch as early as possible(at the latest 90 minutes prior to tour start times) if the tour is impacted in any way.
– Dark Stories reserves the right to make the final decision to proceed or cancel an event for rain impacted days/nights.
Minimum Attendance Clause
– Dark Stories requires a minimum number of participants to proceed. If this number is not met, the tour may be cancelled, and attendees will be offered the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.
General
– Please respect all other participants, and tour hosts. No rudeness or aggressive behaviour will be tolerated. Dark Stories reserves the right to remove any person/s from the tour who pose a danger to others or are disruptive to the tour.
– Dark Stories reserves the right to refuse entry and evict persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol who are disorderly or engage in inappropriate behaviour or vandalism.
– Rules are strictly enforced for the safety and enjoyment of all participants.
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