NEWCASTLE: Matthew Flinders & the Coastal Landforms of SE Australia

Activity A - photo interpretation / research Study the photos of the eastern Nobby's cliff, and rock samples found at the base. Questions A.1 The main rocks of the cliff are chert, tuffaceous sandstone, and dark grey shale. Coal may be found at the base. Use appropriate school resources to define the terms in bold type. A.2 Also define these terms: Tuff, volcanic glass, fracture, conchoidal fracture, and jointing. A.3 Photo A shows a dyke, a vertical rock exposure (of 2-3 metres width) that was intruded into the sedimentary formation. It is igneous, of basaltic composition. What does the photo suggest about the ability of the dyke to resist weathering and erosion by the forces acting upon the cliff face?	Read before attempting questions: Relating to photos below (Nobby's, Newcastle): A. Headland, illustrating differential weathering and weathered dyke B. Chert, the main component of Nobby's (Note: conchoidal fracturing) C. Tuffaceous sandstone (Note: perpendicular jointing planes) D. Rocks collected from the base of Nobby's (including carbon-rich rock) Photo 1: Nobby's eastern cliff, Newcastle, NSW
Activity B - discussion or extended written question Study the photo opposite. Challenge Question B.1 'Newcastle's central city area is closely connected to water; ocean to the east, river to the north. This brings lifestyle benefits to residents and economic benefits to the city overall'. In discussion / written form, analyse and evaluate claims made in the quotation above, giving evidence to support your case. Additional research on the topic could assist your case.	Map: Newcastle coastline Photo 2: Bogey Hole (top left) Map: Central city area, ocean coastline and river foreshore, Newcastle
Activity C - photo interpretation / research Study the photos opposite (from signboard near the Bogey Hole, Newcastle). Questions C.1 What is a steamer? When were steamers introduced and what advantages did they have over sailing boats? Why did steamers represent a great advance for shipping, especially on long runs (such as England to Australia)? C.2 One of the cargo items was listed as 'snuff'. What is snuff? What other unusual items may ships of the 1800s have brought to Australia? What products would ships returning to England from Australia have carried to England on their return journeys?	Read before attempting questions The sign tells of a steamer 'City of Newcastle' that hit rocks near the Bogey Hole. Amazingly the passengers were able to climb off the ship on to the shore. Never-the-less, cargo was lost. Photo 3
Activity D - photo interpretation / research Study the photo opposite. Questions D.1 Identify and name the type of ship shown. How is it powered? What major advantages does it have over steamers of the 1800s? Name the smaller type of boats that accompany ships in and out of port. D.2 In recent times, a prominent Newcastle industry closed down. What was this operation? Where is it now based? [Clue: This site formed the backdrop for the movie 'Bootmen'.] Newcastle authorities expect that tourism will compensate to a large extent for the loss of this large industry. What are the key features of Newcastle and district that can be expected to interest tourists?	Read before attempting questions Newcastle has long been a major shipping port, and continues to be so. There is considerable heavy industry along the shores of the Hunter River, much relying upon ships for export / import transportation. The picture shows a large ship, passed by two smaller vessels that had been, a short while previously, guiding it out of port. Photo 4: Taken from Macquarie Pier, near Nobby's
		D.3 Find out what products are exported from and imported to the Port of Newcastle. Are these items mainly traded with Australian or overseas locations? Is coal still exported from Newcastle?
Activity E - chart interpretation / research Study the chart extract opposite. Questions E.1 What factors about east coastal rivers may have made them difficult to identify from the sea? E.2 (a) Try measuring the distance (on the chart right) from Coal Island to another location (such as the northern point of Chapman's Island), using the scale (in miles). (b) How large is a mile in terms of units you are familiar with (metres or kilometres)? (c) Why do you think that in Australia we now use kilometres and metres for length (rather than miles and feet)? (d) When did the change from miles to kilometres occur? (e) What are the names of the measurement systems that use miles and kilometres? Where and when did each system originate? (f) What is the size of a 'fathom'? What were fathoms used to measure?	Read before attempting questions: Flinders borrowed information for sections of his Port Hunter chart from previous explorers, including Cook and Barallier. This was particularly so for the hinterlands of areas already explored, such as the upper reaches of the Hunter River. His own coastal explorations north of Sydney in the Norfolk saw him miss most of the river mouths along the coast. Extract from Flinders' chart, showing part of the Hunter River, Coal Island (Nobby's) and coastline
Activity F - photo interpretation Study the photos of Newcastle area and rock types found in these headlands (right). Each of the rock types and headlands is discussed in the Newcastle information page. F.1 Name each headland. [ Clue: see Newcastle Info Page.] F.2 Which of the headlands are composed of hard, resistant rocks, and which are made up of relatively soft rock? Explain your answer. F.3 Match each headland (A,B,C) with its main rock type (1,2,3). F.4 Identify the main component rock types of each headland from the alternatives below: (i) chert - sandstone (ii) coal - shale (iii) breccia - sandstone [ Clue: see rock diagrams right, Question A above, and Newcastle info page.]	Photo 5: Various Newcastle headlands and the rocks from which they are composed
Activity G - historical research G.1 The name 'Hunter' applies to the port and river at Newcastle. After whom are the features of Port Hunter and Hunter River named? Try to find out some of the achievements of this person, along with his main contributions to the young colony of NSW. G.2 Did Matthew Flinders have contact with the person named Hunter (in G.1 above)? In brief, expand upon your answer to this question. G.3 Challenge Question Sydney has a suburb with the word 'Hunter' included in its name. What is this suburb called? Is it named after the same Hunter as the Newcastle sites? What does this suggest?