About this location
- Where
Nobbys Road, Newcastle East NSW 2300
- Cost
- Free entry
- Accessibility
- Welcomes people with access needs, contact venue/organiser for details
- Facilities
- Car park
- Family Friendly
- Gallery / Museum
- Interpretive Centre
- Picnic Area
- Public Toilet
Contact details
Email:
fortscratchley@bigpond.com
Phone:
(02) 4929 3066
Request an appointment:
https://www.fortscratchley.org.au
Fort Scratchley is a fascinating part of Newcastle's military history. Built looking out over the ocean in Newcastle East in the late 1880's, the original purpose of the installation was to prepare Australia for a possible attack by Russia!
The only time guns were fired at the Fort was during World War II. On the night of 7-8 June 1942 the Battery's 6-inch guns fired two salvoes at a Japanese submarine that bombarded Newcastle with about two dozen shells, becoming the only coastal fortification to fire on an enemy Naval vessel.
Today, the Fort is a historical museum, and its narrow, underground tunnels are fascinating to explore. This is a must-do for visitors of all ages.