It's one of the oldest cities in Australia and one destined for great things. From the moment Lt. John Shortland entered the 'very fine river’ which he later named after New South Wales Governor John Hunter, Newcastle has been full of opportunity, interesting characters and has left an Aboriginal and European architectural legacy that leaves secrets and stories everywhere for visitors to explore.
The Cathedral of Christ the King, more commonly known as Christ Church Cathedral dominates the skyline of the Newcastle CBD. It's grand Victorian Academic Gothic Style is imposing and mesmorising and central to many a post card of the steel city.
It's only by getting up close and personal with this icon of the city that you can really get to know it's charm. The steep gradient of Cathedral Park is open to visitors and can be entered from either Wolfe or King Street. A wander through the park not only gives you a close up perspective of the Cathedral but a window into the city's past. The Cathedral was and the park still is home to Newcastle's first cemetery.
Turn around and you will be spoilt with views over the Port of Newcastle. When you reach the top of the park, take a walk around the Cathedral from the South-Western side and close up you can appreciate the work commenced by John Horbury Hunt the first supervising architect. Not only can you enjoy the full splendor of the building but close up the Cathedral and it's surrounds hold a certain peace and serenity.
It's worth admiring for a few minutes, after all it's a building that took almost a century to have it's original design realised.
Christ Church Cathedral is located on Church Street, Newcastle NSW 2300.
http://www.newcastlecathedral.org.au/