About this place
What to expect
Fort Scratchley does the time-honoured seafaring tradition of firing a gun at 1 pm daily to coincide with Newcastle's Customs House time ball drop. The time ball and gun firing at precisely 1 pm were used in ports around the world in the 19th century to allow sea captains to adjust their navigation instruments. Newcastle is one of the very few ports around the world that have the capability of firing a gun in tandem with the drop of a time ball. This firing is sponsored by Newcastle Ports Corp and Hunter Water. This tradition is best viewed from the parade ground at Fort Scratchley with Customs House in the background. Please note that the Fort is closed Tuesdays.