MT SUGARLOAF
Mount Sugarloaf, also known as Great Sugar Loaf, is a mountain in the lower Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, overlooking the cities of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland. The summit of the mountain is in the Lake Macquarie suburb of West Wallsend and access to the summit is gained via this suburb. However, the mountain itself is also part of the city of Cessnock suburbs Mulbring and Richmond Vale. Mount Sugarloaf, also known as Great Sugar Loaf, is an extinct volcano. Unusually, on the 18th and 19th of July 1965, the mountain received 10 centimetres (4 in) of snow. It also snowed on the summit in the winter of 1975 . The mountain has two broadcast transmission towers. One transmitting the VHF television services of NBN Television on VHF Channel 3, as well as local FM radio station New FM. It is commonly referred to as the "NBN Tower". Another transmitting digital and analogue television signals of ABHN-5A (ABC) on VHF Channel 5A, UHF stations SBS, Southern Cross Ten and Prime Television. As well other local commercial radio services. It is controlled by Broadcast Australia, being formerly run by the National Transmission Authority. There are many lesser radio antennae on these towers. There is a third smaller tower that has many directional antennae, mainly used for point to point connections, such as two way radio for emergency services and other similar.
This summit walk to Mt Sugarloaf offers fabulous 360 degree views and is highly recommended. This short but steep walk follows a wide trail, which narrows to become fenced steps directly to the summit. From the summit, you can see across the surrounding plains, with the views of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the ocean which are quite spectacular. This walk is often enjoyed by families and children and is highly recommended.
Aboriginal Legend of Mt Sugarloaf Mt Sugarloaf is shaped like a wedge tail eagle. And is the totem (or social emblem) of the local Awabakal people. The mountain (Keemba Keemba which means Mount Sugarloaf in Awabakal) is the setting for a terrible Aboriginal tale which is based around the grisly fate of local Aboriginal children at the hands of a monstrous villian, Puttikin (aka Biter) The ferocious Puttikin is tall, covered in hair and has a mane like a horse. Puttikin has a tail similar to a cutlass and feet pointing backwards, making it impossible for trackers to find him. Nothing short of invincible, his tough hide is impenetrable by spears or bullets. A soldier from a regiment, dating back to the early days of settlement in this area, claimed to have heard the well known gunshot sound of Pettikin’s feet hitting the ground as he jumped around like a kangaroo. Aboriginal parents warned they would be beaten to death by Puttikin if they wandered off alone. Puttikin would ask children to open their mouths before deciding their fate. If children still had their baby teeth (older initiated boys had their teeth knocked out during the initiation ceremony) they would be murdered. The moral of the story is that young children should not go out alone without parental permission.