Our outing on 24^th August will be a train trip to Newcastle for a guided tour of Fort Scratchley, followed by lunch at the Newcastle RSL Club.

Fort Scratchley is an historic fortress on Signal Hill at Nobby’s Beach, Newcastle. A battery was first established here in 1822 "to prevent any vessel, in case of being seized by convicts, from getting out of the harbour." Britain removed its troops from the Australian colonies in 1870 and it was felt necessary to upgrade the fort to protect Newcastle which at the time was a thriving centre for the export of coal and timber. The Fort was built by Colonel Scratchley in 1882, and further upgraded during World Wars I and II.

The Fort was decommissioned in 1972 and has since been developed by a group of volunteers as a Museum and Historic Site. The fortress consists of a number of batteries, an observation post, artillery store, search light station, a network of tunnels connecting the magazine and the gun emplacements; and the cottages, barracks, canteen and quarters to support those living in the fort.

Travel will be by train to Newcastle then bus to the Fort. After the Fort we return to Newcastle RSL for lunch. This is a short walk or bus trip back to Newcastle Station for the trip home.

Meet at Epping Station at 7:30am to catch the 7:43am train to Newcastle. The return train at 2:34pm will have us back at Epping just before 5:00pm.

Cost for the day is $20.00.

Please book for this activity with Yew Chea on 9869 0012