Newcastle, NEW SOUTH WALES
Airing Date: Feb 7th, 2005
Jennifer Hawkins grew up in Newcastle, Australia's sixth largest city. As Miss Universe 2004, Jennifer intends use her title to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and the research needed to find a cure.
Her year-long reign will take her around the globe as an ambassador for organizations like YouthAIDS, the Global Health Council, amfAR, the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation.
Jenn's home town is built around a large working harbour and boasts some of Australia's best beaches. Nobbys, Newcastle, Bar, Dixon Park, Merewether and Stockton Beaches are all within five kilometres of the city centre.
All six beaches are patrolled and offer your family a safe place to swim and relax. Alternatively, you can enjoy the protection of many ocean baths.
Newcastle's spectacular coastline has been celebrated with the creation of the Bathers Way, a five kilometre coastal walk that starts at Nobbys and finishes at Merewether Beach. Large expanses of grassy parklands on the harbour's edge are perfect for a relaxing family picnic.
Here you can mingle with the hundreds of Novocastrians who flock to the foreshore each weekend for recreational activities such as kite flying, roller blading, jogging or bike riding.
The foreshore area is the perfect place to watch the busy harbour traffic while enjoying a drink or meal in one of the harbour side cafes, bars or restaurants. The Crowne Plaza Newcastle is centrally located right on the harbour. It's a fantastic place to base yourself while exploring the waterfront areas.
Newcastle is also located right near the Stockton Sand Dunes, the largest moving dune in the Southern Hemisphere. The Stockton Sand Dunes stretch approximately 32 kilometres from Anna Bay in Port Stephens to Stockton in Newcastle. Visitors can go quad biking on the dune with Sand Safari Active Adventure Tours.
If you're looking for an indoor activity, the Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre at Newcastle University has a climbing gym suitable for first time or experienced climbers.
The facts
Indoor rock climbing at the Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre at Newcastle University starts from $12 a session with no harness, or $15.70 with a harness. First time climbers will be required to do a compulsory one-off orientation which costs $16.20.
Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre
Tel: 02 4921 7001
Sand dune quad biking costs from $119 a person for two hours.
Sand Safari Active Adventure Tours
Email: info@sandsafaris.com.au
Tel: 02 4965 0215
Mob: 0407 207 749
Rooms at the Crowne Plaza Newcastle from $199 a night, twin share.
Crowne Plaza Newcastle
Tel: 1300 666 545
Suggested reading material: Lonely Planet
Prices correct at 07/02/05
