Newcastle (New South Wales)

Newcastle is a great place for surfers, wine buffs, bush walkers, and anyone interested in Australian history. The second largest city in the state of NSW and sixth largest in Australia, Newcastle city had a population of 153,000 and the suburban area of over 500,000. Similar to its English namesake, Newcastle was an important centre for the coal mining and iron ore industries. Newcastle is Australia's oldest sea port, and the second most important in the country in terms of overall tonnage, and significant for coal exports.
Many Novocastrians take an avid interest in sports, as participants, spectators or both. The local NRL Rugby League team, the Newcastle Knights are widely followed. Newcastle also hosts soccer, baseball, ice hockey, netball and various other sporting teams. Hunter New England Health and the University of Newcastle are the city's primary employers.
To the north is Stockton Beach with miles and miles of uninhabited beaches that stretch up to Nelson Bay. Stockton Beach can be seen from Fort Scratchley, which was Newcastle's maritime defence during the world wars. Travel westward to the wineries and taste some of Australia's best wines. Barrington Tops National Park in the north west has beautiful fresh water rivers and rain forests, a good place to spot a platypus.

• Newcastle Visitor Information Centre

  phone: +61 2 4929 5948
  address: Honeysuckle Wharf

By car

The Newcastle area is at least two hours drive north from the centre of Sydney on the Pacific Highway and Pacific Motorway (A1/M1). This stretch of road is a major commuter route for traffic from the Central Coast and North Shore so travel time increases significantly in the peaks to and from Sydney.
The Pacific Motorway is on the western side of Lake Macquarie. To travel up the eastern side of Lake Macquarie (through Swansea) then take the "Charlestown" exit. This route is more scenic, more hilly, and less congested (though it takes a few minutes longer). If you follow this route you will eventually come to the "Charlestown Bypass" at Bennett's Green which you can take if you wish to head north-west (towards Lambton). Otherwise veer right to keep following the Pacific Highway until you reach Charlestown and then follow the signs to the city.
Traffic during holiday periods and long weekends is also affected, with heavy northbound traffic at the beginning of the period as Sydneysiders flee the city for the weekend, and heavy southbound traffic as they return.

By train

Sydney's Central, Strathfield, Epping and Hornsby stations have regular trains to via the Central Coast. Travelling time varies between 2 to 3 hours. This line uses the Opal card (the same as in Sydney) and trips from Sydney are quite comfortable and cheap at $8.30 peak and $5.81 off-peak. This trip is included in the $2.70 fare cap on Sundays. You can also use your contact-less credit card to at the Opal gates if you don't have an Opal Card.
Trains terminate at Newcastle Interchange, where you can transfer to Light Rail to go to the city centre or beach.
There is also a train service from Newcastle Interchange to various Hunter towns such as Maitland.
Check the Sydney Trains website for trackwork along the Central Coast & Newcastle Line; when these occur, buses replace trains between stations and can add an hour to the trip.
Several NSW Trainlink regional services pass through Newcastle's (approximately 5 km from the CBD) daily from Sydney and the Central Coast to the south and from the Northern Rivers and New England. These trains are more expensive than intercity services and tickets must be booked in advance, but they are somewhat more comfortable and are also faster. Occasionally NSW Trainlink discount tickets offer discounts, and $1 fares for kids, so it may be worthwhile checking their fares.

By bus

• Busways

  phone: +61 2 4997 4788
  address: 36-38 Stroud Street, Bulahdelah
  Operates services that run to Newcastle from Taree and to Newcastle from Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens, north of Port Stephens.

• GreyhoundNewcastle from Sydney direct twice daily, Newcastle from Brisbane three times daily with many stops along the Pacific Highway.

• Port Stephens CoachesProvides daily services from Port Stephens and Williamtown airport to Newcastle Railway Station.

By plane

The region has an airport Newcastle Airport (Williamtown) served by a number of domestic airlines.
Jetstar has direct connections to Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne. Virgin Australia connects Brisbane and Melbourne. QantasLink flies to Brisbane. Rex flies to Sydney and Sydney and Ballina.
Flying may not the be fastest way to travel such a short distance as Sydney to Newcastle, especially since there are only a handful of flights every day, and the airport is not particularly central to Newcastle. However, the flight is particularly scenic, especially on a fine day, as there are stunning views of the northern beaches between Sydney and Newcastle. It can be well worth finding an excuse to fly if the cost is not an issue.
If flying into Sydney Airport, then take the train to Sydney Central station, and then change for the next train to Newcastle. The entire journey will be around 3 hours.

The city centre is fairly walkable. Light rail and public buses are the best way to get around Newcastle city. The Sydney Opal card is used here, and used in exactly the same way. The shopping centres, John Hunter Hospital and the university are served by several bus lines.
Google Maps works for transit in Newcastle, as do several 3rd party smartphone apps that Transport NSW recommend.
There are taxis available, although you will likely need to call for one. Hamilton station has a taxi rank which often has a few taxis waiting for the Sydney train. Uber has some drivers here, and GoCatch has just a handful. Newcastle Taxi Co-operative can be reached under 131008.
There is a single ferry service between and , costing $2.40 each way, also using Opal cards.
Riding a bicycle is possible, and infrastructure is slowly being built, but takes some time to discover. Select areas around Wickham, Islington, and along Honeysuckle Drive have some infrastructure, quiet streets, a gentle terrain along waterways that can be quite pleasant to ride through. Other areas which have some infrastructure are around Adamstown and Kotara Shopping Centre. It is possible to ride to and in the surroundings of the John Hunter Hospital, University of Newcastle but these are up significant gradients. Even so, much riding will occur on roads shared with motor vehicles.

Car hire

• Europcar

  address: 66 Hannell St, Wickham
  Closest rental outlet to city centre and also has an outlet at the airport.

• Budget

  address: 107 Tudor St, Hamilton
  Bit further out from the CBD (not far from the Broadmeadow Train Station) and also has an airport outlet.

• Thrifty Car Rental

  address: 272 Pacific Hwy, Charlestown

• Newcastle Car & Truck Rental

  address: 851 Hunter Street, Hamilton
  All sorts of vehicles to hire for all sorts of uses

Landmarks

• Christ Church Cathedral

  address: 52 Church Street
  See Newcastle's Cathedral. Tour the inside and climb the tower, with a guided map.

• Heritage architectureIn and around the city. Notable buildings in the CBD area include the courthouse (top of Bolton St), former Customs House, Newcastle Railway Station, and Post Office (cnr of Hunter St and Bolton St).

• Nobbys HeadNobbys Island is connected to the mainland by a pier built using convict labour (completed in 1846). The pier is accessible to pedestrians, and is flanked by Nobbys Beach. It provides an excellent vantage point to take in views of the harbour and Stockton Beach across the water.

• Queen's Wharf TowerSuggested as resembling a large phallic symbol but has great views across the city.

Museums and art galleries

• Newcastle Museum

  phone: +61 2 4974 1400
  address: Workshop Way
  Opened in 2011, this museum is spread across three historic railway workshop buildings with permanent exhibitions on local history, the BHP steelworks and coal mining, and interactive science.

• Fort Scratchley

  phone: +61 2 4974 5005
  address: Nobbys Rd
  A historic site which now houses a military museum. The fort defended Newcastle in 1942 when a Japanese submarine surfaced shelling the city. Fort Scratchley has been refurbished and is open to the public, great views to the north and over the city are a highlight as is the history. Just east of the fort is Newcastle ocean baths a great place to swim and meet some local characters.

• The Lock Up Cultural Centre

  phone: +61 2 4925 2265
  address: 90 Hunter St
  Incoporates a police museum and the John Paynter Gallery, which hosts resident artists all year round.

• The Maritime Centre

  phone: +61 2 4929 2588
  address: 3 Honeysuckle Dr
  The museum reveals the history of Newcastle's port from shipwrecks and rescues to pirates.

• Newcastle Art Gallery

  phone: +61 2 4974 5100
  address: 1 Laman St
  Well worth a visit. The gallery houses a high quality collection of works by Australian artists, and stages its own and travelling exhibitions.

• Miss Porter's House

  phone: +61 249 270202
  address: 434 King Street
  Built by the Porters in 1909, the family lived in this freestanding Edwardian terrace until 1997, when they left it to the National Trust with all its contents intact. It is now a living snapshot of pre-1950s life in Newcastle. Miss Porter’s House is a living home, offering you today, a rare and privileged visit into other lives and other times. Built in 1909 by Herbert Porter, the terrace was home to the Porter family until 1997. The property was left to the National Trust by Miss Hazel Porter with its contents intact, providing today’s visitors with a vivid experience of the twentieth century inner-city life in Newcastle. Miss Porter’s House is filled with 1909-1940 furnishings and personal items which tell the story of the family over more than a century.

Parks and gardens

• The foreshoreLarge grassed open spaces on the old goods marshalling yards at the eastern end with playground equipment for children. Bars, cafes and restaurants overlooking the harbour starting from Queens Wharf where live music can be listened to on the outdoor area over the water (Hunter River)but very little grassed areas.

• King Edward ParkA great place for a picnic or a BBQ. Nice views of the ocean.

• Mount Sugarloaf lookout

  address: West Wallsend

• ANZAC Walk

  address: 43 High St, The Hill
  A short bridge connecting Strzelecki lookout with Bar Beach along the ridgeline, honouring the ANZACs who fought in World War I.

• Hunter Wetlands Centre

  phone: +61 2 4951 6466
  address: Wallsend Rd, Sandgate
  A regenerated 45-hectare wetlands area adjacent to Hexham Swamp. There are walking trails, a bicycle trail, a canoe trail, picnic and barbecue facilities, and a visitors' centre.

• See some live musicThe TE Guide provides weekly entertainment listings and appears in Wednesday's Post free newspaper and Thursday's Newcastle Herald in print and online. The online version is not always kept up to date, so it is best to get hold of a print copy. Alternatively, look for Uturn streetpress, which is widely distributed to shops and libraries around town.

• Blackbutt ReserveA 182-ha reserve in suburban Newcastle. A natural bushland area which is full of native animals, picnic areas, wildlife exhibits, bushwalking trails, children's playgrounds. Don't miss the flying fox colony on the Rainforest trail. Main entrance is off Carnley Avenue, Kotara. Other entrances - Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights (on bus route) & Richley Reserve off Freyburg Street, New Lambton. On foot from Kotara train station, enter by the small trailhead opposite Grinsell Ave. on Carnley Ave., and stay to the right in the trail system to reach the info booth and animal displays at the Carnley Avenue entrance.

• Fernleigh TrackA 15.5-km long cycling, walking and running trail that starts in the Newcastle suburb of Adamstown and ends in the Lake Macquarie suburb of Belmont. It follows the remains of a railway line that used to run from Adamstown to Belmont down the coast.

• Newcastle Regional Library

  address: Laman Street
  A large local library which also hosts exhibitions. This library is a stunning war memorial in a unique setting and style. Note also the curious bikestands outside the front steps. The Local Studies Library on the second floor will answer most questions about Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. A small library well done.

• Bar BeachRegarded by many as the best of a range of beaches that ring the city. Surfing and kite-surfing available.

• Nobbys BeachOne of the safer beaches to swim at, fairly close to the city and Newcastle train station.

• Newcastle BeachAnother good beach next the city centre.

Ocean baths

No visit to Newcastle during the warmer months would be complete without taking a dip in the ocean baths. On sunny days you can sunbathe on the Grandstand on the Fort side of the baths.
The baths are also open during the winter, for the more adventurous. The Newcastle baths are home to the "Newcastle Pirates", a winter swimming club not unlike the Icebergs or Polar Bears of other places.

• Newcastle Ocean BathsClose to the city centre, these historic baths were opened in 1922.

• Merewether Ocean BathsThe largest ocean baths complex in the southern hemisphere.

• The Bogey HoleCarved out of the rock by convicts, this ocean pool at the bottom of King Edward Park is a great place for a relaxing dip.

Festivals and events

• Mattara FestivalA festival held each year during the Labour Day long weekend in late September/early October. The Mattara festival formerly included the Mattara Hillclimb, a car race held in scenic King Edward Park. The festival features family entertainment and market stalls.

• This Is Not Art FestivalHeld in the same long weekend each year, and showcases the talents of young and emerging artists, writers, media makers and electronic musicians from around Australia.

• SurfestAustralia's largest surfing contest and festival held at Merewether Beach. The event is held annually over 12 days in late February.

• Carols by CandlelightHeld each December in many of Newcastle's parks.

• Cultural Stomp

  address: Civic Park
  A one-day celebration of the region's cultural diversity. Forums, panels, music, art, films, spoken word.

• Newcastle 500

  address: Newcastle East
  Newcastle's inaugural round of the V8 Supercars series, held on a street circuit in the East End of the city. Late November.

The University of Newcastle is one of the major regional universities in New South Wales. Its academic program is quite broad and includes many liberal arts courses. Their undergraduate medicine degree is very highly regarded.

• For locally made clothing with a quirky, hip look, try

  High Tea with Mrs Woo

  phone: +61 4926 4883
  address: 74 Darby Street, Cooks Hill
  Darby Street is also a good place to browse in the boutiques, although the options here aren't cheap.
• Retro and second-hand clothing: Newcastle has a range of interesting

  second-hand storesSome stores are priced very competitively when compared with their Sydney counterparts.

• Patsan Dance Music Specialist

  phone: +61 4925 3996
  address: 301 Hunter Street

• Newcastle City Farmers Market

  phone: +61 2 4930 5156
  address: Newcastle Showground, Brown Road, Broadmeadow

• Hunter Street Markets

  phone: +61 2 9999 2226
  address: Hunter Street Mall
  Every Th-Sa 9AM-3PM. Also runs whenever a cruise ship is in town.

Most of the city's restaurants and cafés can be found along three main eatery strips: Honeysuckle Drive in Honeysuckle, Darby Street in Cooks Hill and Beaumont Street in Hamilton.

Budget

• Asa-Don

  phone: +61 2 4929 1035
  address: 179 King Street

• Civic Lunch Delights

  phone: +61 2 4929 4241
  address: 389 Hunter Street

• Darby Street Take Away

  address: 98 Darby St Cooks Hill
  A real value-for-money greasy spoon/sandwich bar. The "international burgers" ($6.50) are recommended.

• Hooi's Recipe

  address: Shop 1 55 Joslin Street Kotara
  Excellent place for Malaysian, Chinese and Thai food. Price is reasonable and good service too. There's a noodle special ($9.50) for dinner on Sunday till Thurs. A place that is highly recommended.

• House of Peking

  address: Hotel Jesmond, Jesmond
  Excellent value for Yum Cha (lunch and dinner, typically $10-15/head).

• Pide Fez

  phone: +61 2 4929 4394
  address: 126 Darby Street, Cooks Hill

Cafés

There are numerous options along Beaumont St in Hamilton and Darby St in Cooks Hill. At Three Monkeys (Darby St Cooks Hill) coffee can be ordered by the bowl.

• Euro Patisserie

  phone: +61 2 4957 7188
  address: 68 Orchardtown Rd, New Lambton
  Deservedly popular for their award-winning cakes and pastries.

• Goldbergs

  address: 137 Darby St, Cooks Hill
  A busy Darby St stalwart, offers large meals and a good location for people-watching.

• Long Bench Café

  address: Darby St, Cooks Hill
  Open until late.

• Rolador Cafe

  address: 1 Beaumont Street, Hamilton
  Order food and beverages canteen style from the roladoor on the side of the building or go in and have a nice lunch.

• Suspension Espresso

  phone: +61 2 4962 2717
  address: 3 Beaumont Street, Islington
  Very good coffee near Hamilton Station. Great for waiting for the train back to Sydney.

• Blue Door Cafe

  address: 364 Hunter Street
  In the heart of the Civic precinct. Serves fresh, simple dishes and of course, coffee.

Mid-range

• Benjamas

  phone: +61 2 4926 1229
  address: 100 Darby Street, Cooks Hill
  Thai cuisine.

• Bocados

  phone: +61 2 4925 2801
  address: 25 King Street
  Spanish cuisine.

• Delucas Pizza

  phone: +61 2 4929 3555
  address: 159B Darby Street, Cooks Hill
  Italian classics.

• Oma's Kitchen

  phone: +61 2 4927 5151
  address: 16 Watt Street
  Bavarian German style cafe, with authentic dishes such as Bavarian sausages, pork knuckle and lebekaese at somewhat high prices. Real German beer available.

• Moor

  phone: +61 402 37096
  address: 33 Hunter Street, Newcastle East
  North African and Spanish dishes.

Splurge

• Bacchus

  phone: +61 2 4927 1332
  address: 141 King Street

• Restaurant Mason

  phone: +61 2 4926 3470
  address: 3/35 Hunter Street

• Sprout Dining

  phone: +61 2 4023 3565
  address: 2 Honeysuckle Drive, Honeysuckle

• Subo

  phone: +61 2 4023 4048
  address: 551D Hunter Street, Newcastle West

Coffee

• Dark Horse Espresso

  phone: +61 449 540 463
  address: 20-24 Greenway Street, Wickham
  Funky little cafe connected to a furniture shop in an industrial area, serving Campos coffee.

• Glee Coffee Roasters

  phone: +61 432 034 703
  address: 155 Darby Street, Cooks Hill

• One Penny Black

  phone: +61 421 506 651
  address: Corner Hunter and Morgan Streets

• Sprocket Roasters

  phone: +61 2 4009 1237
  address: 68 Hunter St

• Suspension Espresso

  phone: +61 2 4962 2717
  address: 3 Beaumont Street, Islington

Bars and clubs

• Queens Wharf BreweryOn the foreshore. A popular spot for a drink. The pub sells its own beers and has harbour views. During the day and M and Tu nights the atmosphere is relaxed, whilst W-Su evenings can get very busy. There's also entertainment (generally DJs, top 40 cover bands, R&B soloists) on W-Su evenings. There is a large outdoor (beer garden style) area on a jetty over the river - great way to relax on a sunny day.

• Silo Lounge BarA drawcard is the selection of Belgian beers available.

• Northern Star Hotel

  phone: +61 2 4961 1087
  address: 112 Beaumont St, Hamilton
  An Irish pub in the middle of Hamilton's restaurant strip. The Northern Star regularly functions as a music venue - check the blackboard out the front to find out what's on.

• Kent Hotel

  phone: +61 2 4961 3303
  address: 59 Beaumont Street, Hamilton
  A busy pub on Hamilton's restaurant strip. Check out the popular trivia night (each Wednesday, starts at 7:30PM).

• Beach Hotel

  address: Fredrick Street, Merewether
  A Newcastle institution. The place to be on Sunday night is sitting on the front deck overlooking Merewether Beach at sunset with a locally brewed Bluetounge Beer.

• Gateway Hotel

  address: Maitland Rd, Islington
  The local establishment frequented by Newcastle's gay & lesbian community. The venue features a rotating mix of local and Sydney DJs, special events, drag shows and feature performers, featuring a nightclub (Club G), main bar and bistro.

• Cambridge Hotel

  phone: +61 2 49622459
  address: 789 Hunter St, Newcastle West
  Newcastle's premier live venue plays host to the best national and international touring bands. Enjoy cheap drinks and great music while meeting friendly locals.

• The Clarendon Hotel

  phone: +61 2 4907 6700
  address: 347 Hunter St
  Voted best pub style accommodation in Australia in 2009, this venue is a great place to have a drink or a meal at their restaurant that offers good food at reasonable prices. They also host the Sundae Fundaze event several times a year with a number of world class dance music acts.

• MJ Finnegans Irish Pub

  address: Cnr. Darby and King street
  One of the most popular night spots on Friday and Saturday nights. Not really an Irish pub anymore.

As the largest town in the Hunter, Newcastle has a wide range of accommodations options. Parking campers overnight at the beaches is prohibited, but still occurs to a certain extent.

Budget

• Newcastle Backpackers

  address: Address

• Backpackers by the Beach

• ibis budget

  phone: +61 2 49 500 244
  address: 3-5 Thomas Street, Wallsend
  A reasonable option if driving - a little far out from the city centre, but convenient to the freeway.

Mid-range

• Hotel Ibis Newcastle

  phone: +61 2 4925 2266
  address: 700 Hunter Street
  Close to the heart of the Newcastle CBD, the hotel is an easy stroll to the Regional Museum, art galleries, Civic Theatre, Civic Playhouse, Newcastle's popular Honeysuckle and Queens Wharf harbour foreshore and retail precinct.

• Sovereign Inn Newcastle
  address: 309 Maitland Road Mayfield
  With family, twin share and double rooms, plus cable TV, in-room Internet connectivity, direct dial phone, clock radio, coffee- and tea-making facilities.

Splurge

• The Clarendon Hotel

  address: 347 Hunter Street
  4½-star boutique hotel centrally located in Newcastle's CBD. Serves excellent meals and many boutique beers. Has one of the few genuine beer gardens in the CBD at the rear where with live music Fri and Sat evenings.

• Novotel Newcastle Beach

  phone: +61 2 4032 3700
  address: 5 King Street
  Novotel Newcastle Beach hotel is almost on Newcastle beach, and a short walking distance into town.

• Rydges Newcastle

  phone: +61 2 49075000
  address: Corner of Merewether Sreet & Wharf Road
  Good quality hotel on Honeysuckle drive. A 15-minute walk to the CBD.

• Boulevard on Beaumont

  address: 131 Beaumont Street

• Noah's on the Beach

  address: Cnr Shortland Esplanade and Zaara St
  Close to the CBD, views over Newcastle Beach.

Good walking shoes are required for the CBD as many streets are steep slopes. Use the walkways or footbridges to get to and from the CBD and the Foreshore. Make sure you note the Historic Markers in the CBD as they make sense of the magic that is Newcastle.

• Sydney - Australia's most cosmopolitan city is easily reached by train.
• Hunter Valley - Australia's oldest wine-producing region; the town of Cessnock, adjacent to the Lower Hunter wine region (including the Pokolbin district) is 50 minutes drive from the Newcastle CBD.
• Port Stephens - featuring Nelson Bay, a 45 minute drive north and famous for its holiday lifestyle and beaches, and for whale and dolphin watching.
• Barrington Tops National Park - a protected area which contains World Heritage listed wilderness, to the north of the Hunter Valley.
• Myall Lakes National Park - for camping and water activities.