top of page

Bright future ahead for Shepherds Hill Cottage

  • Writer: intouch Magazine
    intouch Magazine
  • Mar 26, 2024
  • 2 min read

Shep


The community will be given a chance to enjoy one of the city's best vantage points as City of Newcastle(CN) moves to finalise the renewal of Shepherds Hill Cottage.


CN has worked with a heritage architect to carefully restore the iconic cottage, which was built atop King Edward Park in the 1890s.


Following the meticulous specialised trade work required to complete this important restoration, CN is now in a position to begin the process of re-opening the site to the public for the first time in decades, activating a long dormant space that sits at the mid-way point of the City's Bather's Way coastal walk.


A development application will now be lodged shortly for the construction of a new commercial kitchen and improved amenities at the King Edward Park site, allowing the historic building to begin a new chapter as a potential food and drink premises.


In addition, CN will seek expressions of interest from potential operators for the renewed space later this year.


Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes highlighted the importance of the site's heritage and the unique possibilities for a potential future operator.

"The Shepherds Hill site is a focal point of our coastline thanks to its breathtaking location at the top of King Edward Park on the Bathers Way, offering spectacular panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Newcastle coastline," Cr Nelmes said.

"We have invested more than $1 million into a significant restoration overseen by a heritage architect, which has revitalised the Heritage-listed cottage inside and out and improved the amenity and accessibility of the site for the community.


"We're pleased to be moving towards the final stage of this renewal project, which will identify options for use of the site and allow the community to once again spend time enjoying this historically significant building."


Amanda Hinds, representing the National Trust Hunter Branch, said the that the National Trust would like to commend the Council on their efforts with the Shepherds Hill Cottage complex.


"The repair and restoration works carried out have brought about a quality outcome, which now has the building ready to be adaptively reused and inhabited once again," Ms Hinds said.


"This is a great result for the people of Newcastle and heritage in general."


Shepherds Hill Cottage has stood watch over the city from King Edward Park since the 1890s and was originally used a mess hall for colonial military officers.


The military site served as an integral command position up to the end of World War Two and is one of the only coastal defence sites in Australia manned simultaneously during World War Two by the Royal Australian Navy, Army and Royal Australian Air Force.


From the early 2000s the cottage was leased to Marine Rescue NSW as one of their headquarters, until it sustained severe damage in the 2015 super storm. Extensive repairs and restoration work to the Cottage were undertaken in 2021, and engagement with Heritage NSW has informed plans for the adaptive re-use of the cottage as a potential food and drinks premises.

GET INTOUCH THIS MONTH
INT_JUN25_Cover.jpg
Disney On Ice Square.jpg
Opera Hunter Square.png
La Ronde Rectangle June - Copy.gif
Lightning Thief SQUARE .png
FROZEN Square
Ape Restaurant_Square Banner.jpg

Thanks for subscribing
We'll be intouch soon! 

ABOUT INTOUCH MAGAZINE

Every month intouch magazine captures the unique spirit of our region and grabs the attention of the community. Intouch magazine showcases what’s hot, what’s on and who’s who with a dynamic blend of inspirational articles, lifestyle features, fashion, events, food and travel – it’s the go-to source for people living in (or visiting) Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and The Hunter Valley. It’s the place to be seen to build your reputation, tell your story, launch a new enterprise and keep the community intouch both in print and online.

CONTACT US

QUICK LINKS

297 Brunker Rd, Adamstown NSW 2289 

PH +61 2 4943 0888 

EMAIL US

© 2015-2024 Two Tribes Media. Published monthly by Two Tribes Media. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpt granted by written request only. While every attempt has been made, Two Tribes media cannot guarantee the legality, completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accepts no warranty or responsibility for such.

subscribe to  intouch

bottom of page