Merewether, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Merewether Newcastle, New South Wales
Merewether Beach
Merewether Location in Newcastle, Australia
Population	10,964 (2016 census)
• Density	3,049.4/km2 (7,898/sq mi)
Established	1890
Postcode(s)	2291
Area	6.1 km2 (2.4 sq mi)
Location	3 km (2 mi) SW of Newcastle 6 km (4 mi) ESE of Charlestown
LGA(s)	City of Newcastle
Region	Hunter
County	Northumberland
Parish	Newcastle
State electorate(s)	Newcastle
Federal Division(s)	Newcastle
Suburbs around Merewether: Adamstown Hamilton South, The Junction Bar Beach Adamstown, Merewether Heights Merewether Pacific Ocean Highfields Whitebridge, Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

Merewether (/ˈmɛrɪˌwɛðər/) is a suburb in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It is about 3 kilometers (2 miles) southwest of Newcastle's city center. Around 11,000 people live here. The suburb stretches about 3 kilometers (2 miles) from Merewether Beach in the east to Adamstown in the west.

Merewether's History

Merewether was once part of a large property called the Burwood Estate. It got its name from the owner, Edward Christopher Merewether. He helped build St. Augustine's Church in Llewellyn Street. This church became important for the local area in 1890.

In 1891, about 4,700 people lived in Merewether. It became its own town, or "Municipality," in 1885. It covered about 11.1 square kilometers (4.3 square miles). In 1938, Merewether joined 10 other towns to form the "City of Greater Newcastle."

Past Industries

The main industry in Merewether was once coal mining. The biggest mines were run by the Newcastle Coal Mining Company. The last of these mines closed in August 1954. Coal was moved by a special railway line that ran through the suburb.

Other coal mines were located south of Merewether, near Glenrock Lagoon and in Murdering Gully. These mines also had their own private railway. This railway went past Merewether Beach and through Australia's first two railway tunnels. These tunnels were built in 1861 and 1862. The Glenrock Colliery closed in March 1944. The railway tunnels were then sealed up. Today, this whole area is part of the Glenrock State Conservation Area.

Merewether also had many pottery factories and brickyards. The last pottery factory, Hughes' Pottery, closed in the late 1900s.

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  Newcastle Coal Company's Colliery around 1900.

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  Coal-loader for Glenrock Colliery, which closed in March 1944.

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  The last loaded coal train leaving the Glebe area, August 24, 1954.

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  Funeral of Glebe Pit men at St Augustine's Church, July 3, 1889.

Merewether's Beaches

Looking towards Merewether's beaches from above Bar Beach.

A wide view of Merewether Beach on March 9, 2019.

Merewether is famous for its beautiful beaches. Dixon Park Beach connects to Merewether Beach. Further south is the quieter Burwood Beach, which leads to Glenrock Lagoon.

At the southern end of Merewether Beach are the Merewether Ocean Baths. These are the largest ocean baths in the Southern Hemisphere. Merewether Beach is also home to the Merewether Surf Life Saving Club. This is the oldest lifesaving club in the Hunter Region. The Merewether Surfboard Club is also very successful.

In 2006, the Newcastle Surfest surfing competition moved to Merewether Beach. This was because the beach has better surfing conditions. Professional surfer Mark Richards lives in Merewether.

Local Schools

Earthquake damage at The Junction School in April 1990.

The Junction School in 1960. The Infants School is on the left, Girls' School in the center, and Boys' School on the right.

Merewether has three primary schools:

• Merewether Public School on Henry Street.
• Holy Family Primary School on Janet Street (a Catholic school).
• Hamilton South Public School on Kenrick Street.

Two other schools are nearby, on the borders of Merewether:

• Merewether Heights Public School on Scenic Drive.
• The Junction Public School (founded in 1860).

After primary school, students often go to Newcastle High School, Kotara High School, St Pius X College, or Newcastle Grammar School. Merewether High School, a selective public school, is actually located in the nearby suburb of Broadmeadow.

General Information

Merewether was once connected to the city by electric tramways. Today, buses serve the area. It has good road links to all parts of Newcastle.

Hillcrest is Merewether's oldest mansion. It was once the home of the Merewether family. Later, it became a private maternity hospital. Today, it is a private home again. Above it is Scenic Drive, known for its expensive modern homes built from the late 1950s.

The Merewether Bowling Club opened on February 6, 1954. It was built on land that was once an old coal mine. In 1967, the club opened a new clubhouse.

The modern Lingard Private Hospital was built around 1982. It is located in the lower part of Merewether Street.