A grand Victorian sandstone building designed by colonial architect James Barnet in 1877, the Customs House sits at the corner of Bond Street and Watt Street, a short walk from the harbour foreshore. For most of its history it processed the goods moving through Newcastle's working port; today it operates as a pub and restaurant with outdoor seating that looks toward the water.
The building is worth seeing for the architecture — Barnet's design is solid and formal, with arched windows and dressed stone detailing typical of important colonial government buildings of the period. The corner position and the preserved facades make it one of the most photogenic buildings in the old port precinct. A good stop for a drink before or after walking the foreshore.