Things to do in Newcastle

18 activities, venues and outings in Newcastle, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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
Do
Bar Beach
Regarded by many as the best of a range of beaches that ring the city. Surfing and kite-surfing available.
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.
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.
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
Do
Newcastle Ocean Baths
Close to the city centre, these historic baths were opened in 1922.
Do
Nobbys Beach
One of the safer beaches to swim at, fairly close to the city and Newcastle train station.
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.
Do Not mapped
Cultural Stomp
A one-day celebration of the region's cultural diversity. Forums, panels, music, art, films, spoken word.
Do Not mapped
Mattara Festival
A 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.
Do Not mapped
Newcastle 500
Newcastle's inaugural round of the V8 Supercars series, held on a street circuit in the East End of the city. Late November. This event is no longer held in Newcastle.
Price TBC
Do Not mapped
Newcastle Regional Library
A large local library that 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.
Do Not mapped
See some live music
The 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.
Do Not mapped
Surfest
Australia's largest surfing contest and festival held at Merewether Beach. The event is held annually over 12 days in late February.
Do Not mapped
This Is Not Art Festival
Held 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.
Do
Merewether Ocean Baths
The largest ocean baths complex in the southern hemisphere.
Free
Do
Newcastle Beach
Another good beach next to the city centre.
Do Not mapped
Carols by Candlelight
Held each December in many of Newcastle's parks.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Newcastle (CC BY-SA 4.0).