Guide to Newcastle
New South Wales' second-largest city, Newcastle is a thriving metropolis with cool cafés and beautiful beaches.
By Hannah Tattersall
Australia’s second oldest city, 'Newie' as it is affectionately known, is just a two-hour drive north from Sydney in the eastern state of New South Wales. Like Sydney, Newcastle is bound by a harbour and glorious beaches, but its population of just under 300,000 makes it a quieter option for a weekend getaway or holiday. It is also the gateway to the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s major wine regions.
Don't miss
- Surfing at one of the many beautiful beaches
- A tour of local foodie haunts and cafés
- A relaxing coastal walk
How to get there
A two-hour drive from Sydney along Australia’s east coast motorway, the Pacific Highway, will lead you straight into Hunter Street in Newcastle’s city centre. Otherwise, you can take a scenic three-hour train ride into Hamilton or Broadmeadow Stations (with connecting shuttle buses to central Newcastle and beaches) from Sydney’s Central Station, Strathfield, Eastwood, Epping or Hornsby. Greyhound bus services leave regularly from Sydney's Central Station, Brisbane's Coach Terminal and Melbourne's Travel Centre, or you can fly direct to Newcastle Airport from a number of cities including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Ballina/Byron Bay, Dubbo and Coffs Harbour.
Things to do and top attractions in Newcastle
CoastXP Adventure Boat, Newcastle, New South Wales © CoastXP
Take in the harbour views
Newcastle has one of the busiest ports in the Southern Hemisphere, with large ships coming and going throughout the day. Head to Honeysuckle and take a walk (or bike ride) along the water’s edge to take it all in. For a view of the harbour, city and coastline from the water, CoastXP offers daily trips departing from Honeysuckle's foreshore. There’s something for the foodies as well, with numerous cafes, restaurants and bars lining the water’s edge. Stop by The Landing, MoneyPenny or The Dockyard for a cocktail while you watch the sun go down and the harbour light up.
Peaberrys, Newcastle, New South Wales © Peaberrys
Discover Newcastle's best restaurants
There is no shortage of choice when it comes to eating out in Newcastle. Bolton Street Pantry has some of the best breakfast options in Newie, while Peaberry's prides itself on consistently good coffee. The Blind Monk in Hamilton sources beers and ciders from smaller volume, local breweries and is definitely worth a visit. For a fine dining option, check out Subo, a contemporary bistro on Hunter street where menus are dictated by the seasons and chefs rely on fresh local produce. Check out HUNTERhunter for more great bars and restaurants in Newcastle.
Hunt and Gather Markets, Newcastle, New South Wales © Hunter Hunter
Shop the markets
Do as the locals do and wander down to the nearest markets on a weekend. Held at Newcastle showground, the Newcastle City Farmers Markets is a meeting point for artisans. There are blacksmiths and jewellery makers, painters, photographers and toy makers. You’ll also find a vast selection of organic and conventionally grown foods including lamb, beef, pork, goat, trout, oysters, charcuterie and cured meats. Also check out the Hunt and Gather markets, a boutique designer hub where stall keepers offer antique and pre-loved designer clothes, jewellery, art and food.
Bathers Way Walk, Newcastle, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Relax like a local on a coastal walk
Newcastle’s Bathers Way is a scenic two-hour, five-kilometre (three-mile) walk stretching from the lighthouse at Nobbys Headland to the coastal wilderness of Glenrock Reserve and the early coal workings at Burwood Beach. Along the way you'll soak up some of Newcastle’s rich Aboriginal and convict heritage, with yellow information signs providing historical information along the way. Take note of the historical site of Fort Scratchley, the only fort in Australia to have engaged the enemy in a maritime attack and Nobbys breakwall, which had its foundations laid by convict gangs; and be sure to bring your swimming costume to enjoy secret swimming spots along the way.
Merewether Beach, Newcastle, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Surf or swim
There are few cities in the world that have a city centre surrounded by eight beaches. Newcastle is one of them. From Merewether and Newcastle Beach, which has the Art Deco pavilion and Merewether Ocean Baths, to Nobbys, Dixon Park, Bogey Hole (carved into ocean rocks by convicts in 1820), and Bar Beach, there is a favourite spot for everyone. You'll love Newcastle's most famous beach, Merewether, which features both white sand and spectacular waves. Newcastle’s Surfest festival, Australia’s largest surf festival, is held at Merewether every February. You can learn to surf or hone your skills with Surfest Surf School which operates out of Nobbys beach. Remember, always swim between the red and yellow flags when swimming.
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