Fort Scratchley, Coastal defense fort and military museum in Newcastle East, Australia

Fort Scratchley is a former coastal defence installation turned museum on Flagstaff Hill in Newcastle East. Its long white single-storey building with a red tiled roof has an arched arcade on the left wing and a two-storey addition with a pale sloped canopy on the right; a lighthouse tower stands on the hill above. The fort was designed by Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Scratchley and completed on 2 April 1882.

The fort was built in 1882 to protect against Russian threats, reflecting tensions between European powers in the region. It became notable for firing on a Japanese submarine during the 1942 shelling of Newcastle.

The fort's name honours Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Scratchley, who designed it. Its single surviving Nordenfelt gun, restored in 2015, is fired on special occasions from the underground casemate. The two 6-inch Mk VII guns, returned from Obelisk Hill in 1978, can still be fired for ceremonies and salutes.

Plan your visit with sturdy footwear since the stairs leading to the underground sections are steep and the ground is uneven throughout the tunnels. Guided tours provide the best way to understand the site's history and layout.

The fort fired at ships during an actual attack, a rare event for an Australian coastal battery during World War II. This makes it one of the few places in the country with direct combat experience.