PRE/POST CONFERENCE TOURS ...
 1. Art Gallery Tour: Exhibiting and Collection Cultures: a backstage look at museum practice. Bus tour to Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery for the opening celebration for Museum Effect and a Forum: The influence of museological conventions and strategies on contemporary curatorial and artistic practice, followed by refreshments and music. The tour moves on to Maitland Regional Art Gallery for the Forum: Designing the most appropriate spaces for collecting and exhibiting with a tour of the exciting new gallery spaces under construction. Refreshments available before departure for Fort Scratchley.
Cost $50 per person : Start 0930
 2. Military Museums: One for the military enthusiasts, this tour highlights four of the Hunter’s military museums: The Royal Australian Infantry Museum, Singleton, renowned for its extensive collections, Fighter World, located right on the Williamtown RAAF base showcases the history and technology of fighter aircraft, while just nearby noted cartoonist Monty Wedd will show his privately owned Monarch Historical Museum, a treasure trove of uniforms and militaria from around the world and across the ages. The tour concludes at Newcastle’s Fort Scratchley where delegates can tour the guns that fired on the Japanese submarines in World War II and watch the sun set over Newcastle Harbour.
Cost $50 per person : Start 0930
 3. Country Aspects and Beyond: Highlighting some of the best rural museums and prettiest country, this tour will visit Paterson Museum, home of one of the best preserved union banners in the region and Dungog Museum, deep in the heart of dairy and cedar country, their professionally designed exhibitions are a credit to their enthusiastic volunteers. Tocal Homestead, located at an Agricultural College, is a heritage farmstead with excellent public programming and a very successful venue hire business. The tour concludes at Newcastle’s Fort Scratchley where delegates can tour the guns that fired on the Japanese submarines in World War II and watch the sun set over Newcastle Harbour.
Cost $50 per person : Start 0930
 4. Old and View: Explore Newcastle’s built heritage and new museum projects with a walking tour through the city’s heritage precinct. Enjoy Newcastle’s latest attraction, the Maritime Centre, and view the working harbour, followed by the Lock Up, a combination of conserved heritage gaol and art gallery. Participants will visit the Convict Lumberyard, an archaeological themed park and the magnificent Ocean Baths, one of Council’s current Heritage projects. The tour concludes at Fort Scratchley where delegates can tour the guns that fired on the Japanese submarines in World War II and watch the sun set over Newcastle Harbour. This is a walking tour – participants are reminded to wear sensible walking shoes.
Cost $25 per person : Start 1230
 5. The Building Blocks of the Hunter: Our region has been built on many industries and this tour explores the variety of our working heritage. Home of coal mining, Kurri Kurri celebrates its past with huge street murals as well as its museum. Maitland and Morpeth were the 19th century powerhouses of the region through their river trade. Raymond Terrace was home to Irrawang Pottery, a nationally significant trade from the colony’s early history. The tour concludes at Newcastle’s Fort Scratchley.
Cost $50 per person : Start 0930
Things to do in and around Newcastle
HUNTER VALLEY
The Hunter Valley is only an hour South of Newcastle and whilst Hunter Valley Wine Country's main attraction is the wine, it isn’t the only thing you will be able to discover. From beautiful art galleries, gardens, bicycle tours & hot air ballooning, you won’t be lost for things to do. There are full day and half day wine tours that you can book which will take you to a number of different wineries for tastings and some even include a trip to the Chocolate and Cheese Factories! The Hunter Valley Gardens is a must to see if you are visiting the Hunter Valley. The property spans over 300 hectares and includes Harrigans Irish pub and Accommodation, Roche Wines, Grapeview Villa’s,BBQ and picnic grounds and of course, the Gardens themselves. For more information log onto the www.winecountry.com.au or www.hvg.com.au
ART GALLERIES
The Newcastle Region Art Gallery is located directly behind civic park, only a 2min walk from the conference venue. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00am until 5:00pm.
Salon hang filled with treasure
To celebrate the 2009 Museums Australia conference in May, Newcastle Region Art Gallery will display their largest single exhibition of paintings from the collection in a single ‘Salon hang’. The works of art featured in Salon have been selected by Daniel Thomas AM who, in 1978, wrote a seminal piece about the national importance of the Gallery’s collection. Salon will run at Newcastle Region Art Gallery from 16 May – 2 August 2009.
http://www.nag.org.au/exhibitions/future/artist/tom_roberts,_roses,_1888
There are also many boutique galleries to discover around Newcastle – most within walking distance from the conference venue.
PORT STEPHENS
Port Stephens is only a short 45min drive north of Newcastle. There are many wonderful bays and beaches along the coastline hosting beautiful landscape views. There is much to see and do here, including a dolphin or whale watching cruise, fishing tours, dining in one of the many seafood restaurants or even parasailing for the brave. For more information about things to do and see in Port Stephens log onto the website www.portstephens.org.au or phone their information office on 02 4980 6900
CAROLE FRAZERS WALKS AND TALKS
Discover what makes Newcastle unique and discover Newcastle’s best hidden treasures with Carole Frazer’s Walks and Talks. You may be surprised that Newcastle has many fascinating walks in and around Newcastle city. Included are the spectacular Bogey Hole, Leadlight Tower and historic houses, Art Gallery and cultural buildings. All walks include commentary on many city topics and especially of local Newcastle history. There are a number of different types of walks you can do catering for a diverse range of areas and interesting locations. Prices start at $10 per person for a 1 hour tour. For more information, log onto www.walks-talks.com.au or phone Carole on 02 4952 1537
BLACKBUTT RESERVE
Blackbutt Reserve provides nature trails, wildlife exhibits, children’s playgrounds and recreational facilities. It is the perfect place for a relaxing family picnic or to explore the wonders of nature. Wildlife Exhibits open 9.00am to 5.00pm every day of the year.Picnic and recreation facilities open from 7.00am to 5.00pm and entry is free. For more information log onto the website www.ncc.nsw.gov.au/discover_newcastle/blackbutt_reserve or phone 02 4904 3344
NEWCASTLES FAMOUS TRAM
Everything about Newcastle’s Famous Tram is unique. Built from scratch in 1994, the tram is a genuine replica of the original Newcastle working tram, which was in service in 1923. Newcastle’s Famous Tram is a very novel and nostalgic way to visit the historical city of Newcastle. The Newcastle tour is a 45 minute tour of our city, beaches and historical sites. A full commentary is provided. This service in the heart of Newcastle reveals to its passengers the beauty of the city and beach areas as well as an astonishing blend of history and current changes to the city lifestyle. Detailed information is provided about many historic sites. The tour is great value at $12 an adult and $6 and operates weekday tours from Newcastle’s Railway Station and the Crown Plaza in Wharf Road. The Tram operates at 11am and 1pm, with a special pick up at the Brewery Wharf Rd at 12.55pm, and during school holidays between 10am 11am 12 noon and 1pm, but please ring to confirm operating times. No Service on Weekends or Public Holidays For more information log onto the website www.famous-tram.com.au or phone 02 4977 2270
DARBY ST PRECINCT
Conveniently situated and only 5 minutes from Newcastle Harbour and Foreshore, Darby St Precinct offers a diverse, friendly, and relaxed cosmopolitan destination. Consisting of over 20 cafes, outdoor dining and cosy retreats. Including some award winning restaurants that boast the fine cuisine with friendly prices. Shoppers lookout for unique fashion boutiques, art and gift galleries. You also have photography studios, home-wares, everyday living, music and professional services. For more information log onto the website www.darbystreet.com.au or phone 02 4929 6883
Please see below some useful links to websites:
• Hunter Tourism
• Newcastle Tourism
• Wine Country Tourism
• Post Stephens Tourism
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