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Locrawl

Newcastle

Newcastle is a city at the mouth of the Hunter River, approximately 150 km north of Sydney in the Hunter region of New South Wales. The city is the focal point for the diverse Hunter region that encompasses beaches and mountains, restaurants and wineries. Newcastle is a great place for surfers, wine buffs, bush walkers, and anyone interested in Australian history.

See
11
Do
18
Eat
12
Drink
15
Buy
6

62 places

  1. Do

    ANZAC Walk

    A short bridge connecting Strzelecki lookout with Bar Beach along the ridgeline, honouring the ANZACs who fought in World War I.

    free

  2. Do

    Bar Beach

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

  3. Drink

    Beach Hotel

    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.

  4. Do

    Blackbutt Reserve

    A 182-ha reserve in suburban Newcastle. A natural bushland area which is full of native animals, picnic areas, wildlife exhibits, bushwalking trails, and 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.

  5. Eat

    Blue Door Cafe

    In the heart of the Civic precinct. Serves fresh, simple dishes and of course, coffee.

    Takeaway 6AM-3PM, dine in 7AM-2:30PM$15-25 per food item, <$10 for drinks

  6. Drink

    Cambridge Hotel

    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.

  7. See

    Christ Church Cathedral

    See Newcastle's Cathedral. Tour the inside and climb the tower, with a guided map.

    $10

  8. Eat

    Euro Patisserie

    Deservedly popular for their award-winning cakes and pastries.

    Mon–Fri 7AM–4PM; Sat 7AM–3PM; Sun 8AM–2PM

  9. Do

    Fernleigh Track

    A 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.

  10. See

    Fort Scratchley

    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.

    Wed-Mon 10AM-4PM

  11. Drink

    Gateway Hotel

    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.

  12. Eat

    Goldbergs Coffee House

    A busy Darby St stalwart, offers large meals and a good location for people-watching.

    Wed–Mon 7AM–1PM

  13. Buy

    High Tea with Mrs Woo

    Darby Street is also a good place to browse in the boutiques, although the options here aren't cheap.

  14. Buy

    Hunter Street Markets

    Every Th-Sa 9AM-3PM. Also runs whenever a cruise ship is in town.

  15. Do

    Hunter Wetlands Centre

    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.

    9AM-5PM

  16. Drink

    Kent Hotel

    A busy pub on Hamilton's restaurant strip. Check out the popular trivia night (each Wednesday, starts at 7:30PM).

  17. See

    King Edward Park

    A great place for a picnic or a BBQ. Nice views of the ocean.

  18. Drink

    MJ Finnegans Irish Pub

    One of the most popular night spots on Friday and Saturday nights. Not really an Irish pub anymore.

  19. See

    Miss Porter's House

    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.

    1PM-4PM second Sun of each monthAdults $8; Concession $6

  20. See

    Newcastle Art Gallery

    Well worth a visit. The gallery houses a high quality collection of works by Australian artists, and stages its own and travelling exhibitions.

    Tue-Sun 10AM-5PMFree

  21. See

    Newcastle Museum

    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.

    Tue-Sun 10AM-5PMFree

  22. Do

    Newcastle Ocean Baths

    Close to the city centre, these historic baths were opened in 1922.

  23. Do

    Nobbys Beach

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

  24. See

    Nobbys Head

    Nobbys 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.

  25. Drink

    Northern Star Hotel

    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.

  26. Eat

    Oma's Kitchen

    Bavarian German style cafe, with authentic dishes such as Bavarian sausages, pork knuckle and lebekaese at somewhat high prices. Real German beer available.

    From $25 for mains

  27. Drink

    Prince of Merewether Hotel

    Modern bar and club popular with locals of Newcastle's beach suburb. Causal atmosphere and bistro food available.

  28. Drink

    Queens Wharf Brewery

    On 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.

  29. Eat

    Suspension Espresso

    Very good coffee near Hamilton Station. Great for waiting for the train back to Sydney.

    Daily 6AM-5PMCoffees $4, mains from $10

  30. Do

    The Bogey Hole

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