The focus will be on 250 million years of Newcastle's changing landscape, with a virtual field trip featuring the region's leading geologists and the launch of a new digital geotrail app to mark National Science Week from Monday.
Exploring Newcastle's Coast, hosted by the Geological Survey of NSW and supported by the University of Newcastle, will take place between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Monday.
Meanwhile Newcastle's digital geotrail, which can be accessed by downloading the free Geo Tours NSW app on a smart phone or tablet, will lead people on an educational journey along the coastal landscape.
The trail starts at Nobbys - with its volcanic ash history - and ends near Glenrock on the path of the old Burwood Colliery railway line.
The Newcastle trail is one of three the government is rolling out - along with Port Macquarie and Warrumbungle National Park.
"The geotrail showcases hundreds of millions of years of geological history and with the touch of a screen, users can discover facts about the Port Macquarie and Newcastle coastlines and journey into the Warrumbungle volcano," Deputy Premier John Barilaro said.
A free Newcastle geotrail brochure will also be available at the city's visitor information centre for people without access to a tablet of smart phone.
University of Newcastle Professor Ron Boyd said the geotrail was a collaborative effort to develop a valuable public resource.
"Newcastle has some of the best coastal geology in the world and this new geotrail allows NSW residents and visitors an opportunity to view the spectacular scenery while at the same time learning how to interpret and understand the ancient landscapes of the Newcastle area," he said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Catherine Cusack said the webinar and geotrail would bring together science, history, culture and the beauty of Newcastle's coastline.
"There are many intriguing clues to the geological and cultural history of this region visible in the rocks along the Bather's Way coastal walk, including massive volcanoes and ancient forests, the opening of the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand and evidence of Awakabal and European use of the rocks and coal seams that underlie the city," she said.
People can register for Monday's virtual field trip by visiting https://rebrand.ly/Newcastle-Coastline online.
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