Stockton, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stockton Newcastle, New South Wales
The northern breakwater in Stockton at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour
Stockton Location in the Hunter-Central Coast Region
Population	4,160 (2016 census)
• Density	1,133.8/km2 (2,937/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2295
Elevation	6 m (20 ft)
Area	3.7 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10)
• Summer (DST)	AEDT (UTC+11)
Location	16 km (10 mi) N of Newcastle (by road) 1 km (1 mi) N of Newcastle (via ferry)
LGA(s)	City of Newcastle
Region	Hunter
County	Gloucester
Parish	Stockton
State electorate(s)	Newcastle
Federal Division(s)	Newcastle
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 21.8 °C 71 °F 14.2 °C 58 °F 1,131.3 mm 44.5 in
Suburbs around Stockton: Kooragang Fern Bay Pacific Ocean Carrington Stockton Pacific Ocean Newcastle Newcastle Newcastle East

Stockton is a suburb in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 600 meters (less than half a mile) from Newcastle's main city area. Stockton is special because it's the only neighborhood of Newcastle that sits north of the Hunter River.

Exploring Stockton's Location

Stockton is a piece of land surrounded by water on most sides, like a small arm reaching out. The Hunter River is to its south and southwest. The huge Pacific Ocean is to its east.

Beaches and Wildlife

On the eastern side of Stockton, you'll find sandy dunes and great surfing beaches. Many old shipwrecks can be found near the northern part of the coast. On the western side, there are wet marsh areas. These marshes are home to many migratory birds that visit throughout the year. Stockton also has many good spots for fishing.

Getting to Stockton

For a long time, people traveled between Stockton and Newcastle's main city area by ferry. Both people and cars used these ferries. Today, there's still a ferry for people. However, cars now use the Stockton Bridge, which was built in 1971. This bridge helps connect Stockton to other areas.

Stockton's Past and People

Stockton was settled very early, soon after Newcastle was founded in 1797. It was first called "Pirates Point" because some escaped convicts were shipwrecked there in 1800. The southern tip of Stockton is still known as "Pirate Point."

Industrial Roots and Community Spirit

For most of the 1800s, Stockton was a busy place for industry and mining. In 1896, a sad event happened at the local coal mine when a gas leak caused the deaths of 11 people. Over the 1900s, Stockton became a place where many working-class families lived. It still is home to about 4,200 residents today.

Stockton residents are very proud of Dave Sands. He was a famous boxer from Stockton who achieved great success right after World War II. Like the mining disaster, Dave Sands' short life is remembered with memorials around this seaside village.

A family pictured in Stockton in 1902

Local Schools

Stockton has two primary schools for younger students: Stockton Public School and St Peter's Primary School (a Catholic school). Older students in Stockton usually attend Newcastle High School.

Stockton's Unique Vibe

Even though Stockton is part of a big city, it feels like a friendly country town. This is partly because it's a bit separated from the rest of Newcastle. It has its own shops, churches, clubs, three pubs, a swimming pool, and a caravan park. Stockton used to have a large center for people with developmental disability called the Stockton Centre, but it is now closed.

Stockton has traditionally been a community where many working-class families live. In recent years, more young professionals have started moving to Stockton from places like Sydney. This has caused house prices to go up.

Famous People from Stockton

Many notable people have come from Stockton, including:

• Daniel Ammann – a boxer
• Eric Barbour – a doctor and cricketer
• Vera Deacon – a historian, writer, and helper of others
• Ray Jackson – a footballer
• Robert Lynn – a politician
• Justin Norris – an Olympic swimmer
• Ray Robinson – a cricketer
• Dave Sands – a famous boxer
• Johnny Slade – a rugby league footballer
• Percival Stacy Waddy – an Anglican priest

Sports and Recreation in Stockton

Stockton has many active sports groups. There's a district cricket team and a soccer club called the Stockton Sharks Soccer Club. The Stockton Rugby League club plays in a local competition.

Water Sports and Beach Activities

Surfing is a very popular activity in Stockton. It's centered around the Stockton Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC). This club also supports activities like paddle boarding, surf swimming, and surf ski. They also do important beach patrols to keep people safe. The Port Hunter 16 Foot Sailing Skiff Club sails on Newcastle harbour.

Discovering Stockton Beach

Southern end of Stockton Beach from Shipwreck walk

Stockton Beach is a very long beach, stretching for about 32 kilometers (20 miles). It goes from Stockton in the south all the way to Anna Bay in the northeast. In some places, the beach is as wide as 1 kilometer (over half a mile), and its sand dunes can be over 30 meters (100 feet) high! However, it's narrowest at the Stockton end.

Driving on the Beach

You can drive Four-wheel drive vehicles on most parts of Stockton Beach. However, they are not allowed at the very ends of the beach. To drive on the beach, you need to enter through Lavis Lane or Anna Bay and buy a permit. Drivers must be careful to protect the natural plants and grasses on the sand dunes.

Famous Shipwrecks

Over the years, Stockton Beach has been the site of many shipwrecks, ship crashes, and ships getting stuck. Some of these include:

• Norfolk (1798 sloop)
• SS Cawarra
• SS Colonist (1889)
• SS Lindus (1881)
• Wendouree (1882)
• Adolphe (ship)
• The Bluebell Collision
• MV Sygna

Getting Around Stockton

Ferry Services

Ferry Shortland travelling between Stockton and Newcastle

Before the Stockton Bridge opened in 1971, the main way to get to Stockton was by ferries that carried both people and cars.

Today, there is a regular Stockton ferry service for people. It travels from Queens Wharf in Newcastle (near the old Newcastle railway station) to Stockton. The ferry ride only takes about three minutes. If you're driving to Stockton from Newcastle, you'll follow signs towards Port Stephens. These signs will lead you to the Stockton Bridge and then to a turn-off for Stockton itself.

Road Connections

Stockton Bridge

There is one main road that leads into Stockton. This road gives you two ways to travel. If you go east over the Stockton Bridge via Koorgang Island, you'll connect to Newcastle. If you go north, you'll connect to places like Hexham, Williamtown, Raymond Terrace, Nelson Bay, and the Pacific Highway.

Bus Services

Hunter Valley Buses route 136 serves Stockton, connecting it to Raymond Terrace.

Images for kids

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  Stockton Colliery disaster 1896 rescuers