18 Nights Sydney to Hong Kong

Newcastle with a population of 250,000 is the second largest city in New South Wales, located at the mouth of the Hunter River. Founded as a penal colony, coal deposit quickly led to Newcastle becoming an important center for shipping and commerce by the 1860s. Industrialization increased after iron and steel mills were built in 1915. Today, Newcastle is an attractive destination full of historic buildings and also known as the gateway to the Hunter Valley. The city is the commercial, administrative and industrial center of the region and has the largest export harbor in the Commonwealth. Attractions include numerous beaches, a rich heritage of Victorian architecture and a fabulous lookout at Mount Sugarloaf.