A tribute to the past: Explore the Newcastle Memorial Walk
Take in breathtaking views along the 160-meter ocean cliff-top pedestrian bridge.
This scenic walk was opened to mark the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli in 1915. It was designed to honor the locals who served in World War I (WW1) and celebrate the beginning of the region’s steelworks.
Australianism
ANZAC stands for ‘Australian and New Zealand Army Corps,’ the soldiers who landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on 25 April 1915 during World War I. This historic event, though a military failure, is commemorated as a national public holiday in Australia. Anzac Day honors all Australians who have served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. The Gallipoli campaign symbolizes courage, resilience, and mate-ship, reflecting the foundational Australian spirit of helping one another in adversity.
Newcastle’s industrial steelworks legacy
BHP Steelworks operated in Mayfield, Newcastle, from 1915 to 1999. The bridge is emblematic of the ‘shift’ after WW1 from wartime production to peacetime growth. There was high demand for steel internationally as countries needed to rebuild infrastructure for construction and transportation. The industry created jobs and fostered national self-reliance, stabilizing the economy.
In the early 1980s, global steel demand collapsed. Competition from Asia increased, reducing profitability. Deindustrialization followed, leading to the closure of the steelworks in 1999. At its peak in the 1960s, the plant employed 12,000 to 16,000 workers. By the time the facility closed in 1999, unemployment rose to 10%.
The loss of industry deeply affected the community. Newcastle had a blue-collar, hard-working culture built around steel. High unemployment led to crime and violence. The city needed to reinvent itself and find a new identity and way of life beyond its industrial roots.
The steelworks are a symbol of resilience and the hardworking spirit of the community. They also remind us of the importance of adapting to change, diversifying economies and growing sustainably.
Discover the path of renewal
Park at Strzelecki Lookout for an easy pedestrian walk out onto the bridge to take in the scenic views over Bar Beach and across to Merewether. If you park at Bar Beach expect stairs and an uphill walk.
It’s the perfect spot to catch a sunset—watch the day fade away and follow the lit path offering stunning evening views over the city below. Learn about local history and absorb the spirit of renewal that defines this beautiful region.
Challenge
How do we commemorate the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families?
Plan your visit
For more information visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/explore/things-to-do/walking-and-cycling/newcastle-memorial-walk
Feature image: Photo © Tim J Keegan. Newcastle Memorial Walk. Via Flickr, 2019. Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA 2.0).
