Newcastle

Many remnants of Newcastle's convict era can be found in Newcastle's East End today. The first coal mines in Australia were developed with convict labour at Colliers Point, under what is now Fort Scratchley. Convicts built the breakwater to connect Nobbys to the mainland. Originally an island at the mouth of the Hunter River, Nobbys was reduced to half its height when convicts mined it for coal. A convict lumber yard was established near the site of the later customs house to service the coal and timber industries. A coal-fired beacon was built on Signal Hill to light the harbour entrance. Convict labour was used to excavate the Bogey Hole, a bathing hole for the military men stationed in Newcastle. Largely through the effort of its convict prisoners, Newcastle developed as an important harbour.