Newcastle, located in New South Wales, Australia, has a history deeply rooted in both Aboriginal heritage and European settlement. Originally inhabited by the Awabakal and Worimi Aboriginal peoples, the area was known as Malubimba. In recognition of the region's rich Indigenous history, several local landmarks have been dual-named with their traditional Aboriginal names. These include notable sites such as Nobbys Head (Whibayganba) and Flagstaff Hill (Tahlbihn), preserving the deep cultural connection of the Aboriginal people to the land.

The first European to explore the Newcastle region was Lieutenant John Shortland, who arrived in 1797 while searching for escaped convicts. His accidental discovery of the area led to the naming of the Hunter River, and his reports of its deep-water port and coal resources set the stage for Newcastle's future as a coal export hub. By 1801, coal was being mined and shipped from the area, marking the beginning of Newcastle’s economic transformation.

Initially, Newcastle gained a reputation as a harsh penal settlement, where convicts were sent to mine coal under brutal conditions. By 1804, the settlement, originally called Coal River, was renamed Newcastle after the English city, reflecting its coal-rich resources. Over time, the settlement evolved, and under the leadership of Captain James Wallis, Newcastle saw improvements in convict living conditions, along with the construction of key infrastructure like the breakwater connecting Nobbys Head to the mainland.

Newcastle remained a penal colony until 1822, after which farming was introduced. By 1823, military rule ended, and the settlement began to thrive with reduced prisoner numbers. The legacy of Newcastle’s convict history remains a significant part of its identity, influencing the city’s development into a vital industrial and cultural hub. Today, Newcastle stands as a city with a rich, multifaceted history, from its Aboriginal roots to its colonial past and modern urban growth.