Big Picture Festival 2020 Newcastle Street Art

2020 Big Picture Festival Newcastle Street Art

During 2020, the Newcastle City Council, organised the Big Picture Festival that added 12 beautiful artworks to the cities’ buildings. They are all within easy walking distance of each other, and a Council map make them easy to find.

We walked around the streets to look at the murals, often crossing to the other side of the road to get a better perspective.

Map of Newcastle Street Art Big Picture Festival — Map of Newcastle Street Art

Civic Lane Facing Museum Park

Civic Lane Facing Museum Park Big Picture Festival — Civic Lane Facing Museum Park by Fintan Magee

2. Civic Theatre Facing NUSpace

3. Rear of University House Facing NuSpace

4. Corner of Union and King, Besties Car Park

5. 158 King St Just Down From Popolo

6. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park

7. Foghorn Brewery

Foghorn Brewery by Olas One Big Picture Festival — Foghorn Brewery by Olas One

8. Corner of Union and King

9. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park

10. 148 King St Facing Brown St

11. Evolve Housing Corridor in Museum Park

12 Corner of Union and King

Corner of Union and King Big Picture Festival — Corner of Union and King by Patricia Van Lubeck

18 October 202024 January 2021

Historical Maitland in the Hunter Valley

Maitland

Situated on the Hunter River approximately 166 kilometres by road north of Sydney and 35 kilometres north-west of Newcastle, Maitland is a city in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales. Located on the New England Highway, it is easy to get to and its heritage and proximity to the Hunter Valley vineyards makes it worth visiting.

The Levee

Running parallel to the Hunter River and encircled by Ken Tubman Drive, The Levee is a hive of activity. It offers a range of entertainment and dining options, a blend of small business and national retail stores. Professional services such as banks, solicitors and accountants are also located here.

Street Art at the Levee — The Levee on a Foggy Morning

Buildings

The city has several historic buildings, and many others with interesting architecture, making them worth searching out. Several excellent walks can be found here, downloadable as PDFs.

Maitland Railway Station

The railway reached Maitland in 1858, having reached East Maitland in 1957. This resulted in the building of the current Italianate style building being built in the 1880s.

This building can be viewed from the carpark, or for a different perspective, climb the pedestrian overpass. This allows you to see it from above, where you can see the top of the building more clearly.

Maitland Post Office

Constructed in 1881 and designed by the Colonial Architect James Barnet, the Maitland post office is an example of Victorian Italianate design of stucco on brick. This is characteristic of Barnet’s work, making it a fantastic attraction in the centre of the city.

Old Bank of Australasia Building

Built in 1869 and opened on 1st January 1870, this was the third bank constructed in High Street. The design of this building is one of the few colonial examples of Byzantine architecture and is significant for the skilful use of the curve and upper floor verandah. Although substantially altered, it still exhibits many original features making it significant.

St. Mary’s Church

Opened in 1867, St. Mary’s Church has a magnificent stone spire which is a landmark in the town and surrounding area. The building is a fine example of High Victorian Style Gothic architecture. Designed by the celebrated architect Edmund Blackett the building has excellent stone tracery windows and detailing, exhibiting craftsmanship of the highest order.

St Mary's Anglican Church — St Mary’s Anglican Church

Old Synagogue

Ceasing as a place of worship in 1898 the old Synagogue was the first of its kind in Australia. Designed by renowned local architect, John W. Pender it is a simple Victorian Romanesque building. Constructed in 1879 it subsequently served as a co-educational school until 1928, a meeting hall and is now, after restoration, used as a Credit Union office and shopfront.

Former Maitland Synagogue — Former Synagogue

Heritage Mall

Constructed as a Bicentennial Project in 1988 The Heritage Mall in the main commercial centre of Maitland contains many building styles. Best viewed by walking down the centre of the Mall, the history of many buildings can be viewed on their upper floors above the awnings

Johnston's Boot Store Facade — Johnston’s Boot Store Facade

Courthouse

Designed during the transition of Victorian and Federation periods, the Maitland Courthouse is an outstanding building. Designed by Walter Liberty Vernon and built in 1895-96, it is Federation Free Classical in style and detailing, using typical Federation materials such as face red brick with contrasting sandstone trim.

Steamfest

Established in 1986, Steamfest pays homage to an industrial steam era and the men and women involved in its operation.

The heart and soul of Steamfest is its impressive assembly of steam trains. While there you can take a ride on one of the many unique train trips visiting various Hunter destinations or simply wander around and enjoy the displays.

Read our full story and see our pictures of Steamfest here.

Traction Engines Hunter Valley Steamfest Maitland — Traction Engines

Locomotive 6029 The Garrett — Traction Engines

Our photos are available for purchase on

To see what else there is to do in the Hunter Valley, please see some of our other stories.

9 April 201829 March 2022

Kurri Kurri Murals Hunter Valley New South Wales

Kurri Kurri Murals and Street Art

For an enjoyable few hours you can wander around the Hunter Valley town of Kurri Kurri and enjoy the over forty murals that have been painted on the town’s buildings.

We did the walk early on a Sunday morning, when there were few other people around. The tourist information and coffee shop were open though, so we did get our morning fix. Parking was easy in the main street and most of the murals are available either on, or just off Lang Street.

By following the local tourist map, we did not miss any in the town centre.

Kurri Kurri Buildings

The walk was very easy and on the trip, you get to see some of Kurri’s other interesting sites. There are two hotels on the main Lang Street, the Kurri Kurri Hotel and the Chelmsford. The Chelmsford looks like it needs some attention, but the Kurri Kurri looks very nice.

On our walk around we ran across the Masonic Temple.

Kurri Kurri Rotary Park

In the centre of town, you will find the Rotary Park. This contains the Big Kookaburra, the Miner’s Memorial and the War Memorial. The miner’s memorial commemorates all miners killed in the local coal mining industry. There is also a commemoration of the miners at Hill 60 near Ypres in World War One. We have visited this in our recent European trip and it was great to see this in the miner’s home town.