The Best Travel Guide to Newcastle

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Newcastle

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Oceania Australia Newcastle

Overview

Newcastle The guide was updated: 2024-07-22

Located right at the mouth of the Hunter River, Newcastle is the hub of the Hunter Valley wine region in New South Wales. It's home to stunning beaches, a rich heritage of Victorian architecture and plenty of live music events for all tastes. There are also lots of places for recreation, hiking and outdoor adventures nearby. Whether you are looking for vibrant city life or a spectacular natural retreat, in Newcastle you will get it all.

Facts

Population:	482,334 (2024 census)
Currency:	Australian Dollar (AUD) $1 = 100 cents
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Emergency situations, police, ambulance, fire brigade: 000
Newspapers:	The Newcastle Herald: www.newcastleherald.com.au Newcastle Star: www.facebook.com/NewcastleStar The Post: www.postnewspapers.com.au The Age: www.theage.com.au/topic/newcastle-dk3
Website:	www.visitnewcastle.com.au
Opening hours:	Most shops are open from 9am to 5pm daily. Some of them are open on Sundays at their own discretion.
Tourist information:	Newcastle Visitor Information Centre 430 Hunter Street, Old Civic Railway Station, Newcastle +61 2 4974 2109 Open Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm, Sat & Sun 10am–2pm www.visitnewcastle.com.au

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Section in Newcastle

Surrounded by the beautiful Australian nature, Newcastle offers plenty of things to do and see. Enjoy water sports, relax on the beach or go for a sightseeing tour of the city. Visit the natural reserves, where you can experience Australia's wildlife, go for a picnic, mountain biking or swimming.

Newcastle Town Walk

Newcastle Town Walk

Simply pick up a leaflet or a map and walk around the streetscapes of beautiful Victorian buildings. If you get tired, hop on the Newcastle’s Famous Tram, a replica of the original Newcastle working tram in service in the 1920s. The tram stops outside Newcastle Railway Station on Watt Street and the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Wharf Road on weekdays only.

Newcastle Regional Museum

Newcastle Regional Museum

The Newcastle Regional Museum gives a good overview of Newcastle’s history as the hub for the region’s mining and steel industry. Variety of exhibitions, including permanent and special ones, are of great interest to everyone. One of these exhibitions is the Supernova hands-on science centre, which is fun for the whole family. Don't forget to book your tickets in advance.

Fort Scratchley

Fort Scratchley

Fort Scratchley is an old Victorian house, but also a military and maritime museum. Take advantage of the organised tours, and check out the tunnel system to learn more about Newcastle's past at this historical site. It is open at weekends and public holidays.

Stockton Beach

Stockton Beach

Head north of the city and relax at Stockton Beach. You will find that this long, wide beach with massive dunes is somewhat of a playground. Try thrilling quad-bike tours, slide down the dunes on sand boards or explore the beach on horseback.

Convict Lumber Yard

Convict Lumber Yard

Convict Lumber Yard was once an industrial workplace for prisoners. This museum now houses sculptures and charts that will bring you back about a hundred years and show you what a convict's life was like. You can also get an insight into the development of the local settlement.

Blackbutt Nature Reserve

Blackbutt Nature Reserve

Blackbutt Nature Reserve is located west of Newcastle. It offers amazing walking trails with an opportunity to get close to the typical Australian flora and fauna. This nature reserve is a great option for a family day out and it's great fun for the kids.

Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley

Located west of Newcastle, this region is home to many of Australia’s top wineries, most of which are centred around Polkobin, although Cessnock is the area’s main town. The main attraction here is visiting the wineries and tasting the locally-grown fruits. There is no public transport between the wineries in Hunter Valley, so your best bet would be to hire a tour company.

The Lock-Up Art Gallery

The Lock-Up Art Gallery

This creative hub hosts modern displays and is home to numerous local and international art installations, as well as performance events. Their Artist-in-Residence programme supports young talents in realising their projects, not to mention they're given a space for work and exhibitions.

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral

Located at the top of one of Newcastle's hills, the Christ Church Cathedral is one of the city’s landmarks. Apart from its impressive architecture, interior and art, you can purchase a ticket to climb the tower for breathtaking views. The impressive choir and the pipe organ attract local and international tourists.

Nobbys Head

Nobbys Head

Nobbys Island, also known as 'Whibayganba,' is located outside the Newcastle Harbour and served as a coastal defence station in World War II. The lighthouse on the island is an important landmark as it is included in Newcastle’s coat of arms. You can visit the lighthouse every weekend.

Mount Sugarloaf

Mount Sugarloaf

Overlooking Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Mount Sugarloaf is a popular place for outdoor activities. There are several picnic areas and lookouts, and the light hike is suitable for the whole family. Grab the kids, pack some lunch and climb the summit.

King Edward Park

King Edward Park

Enjoy the ocean at its best at King Edward Park. This former recreational reserve is a popular place for weddings, and holds a bowling green as well as the Obelisk. Families BBQ and picnic here all day long, and if you're lucky, you can even catch an open air movie on summer nights.

Bar Beach

Bar Beach

Bar Beach lies southwest of the city centre, and is a popular spot for getting a tan. The well-maintained beach offers a number of surfing spots, where you can easily enjoy a lazy afternoon on your summer vacation by the clear blue ocean.

Merewether Ocean Baths

Merewether Ocean Baths

One of the largest and most famous ocean baths is located at the shore of Newcastle. It is open all year round, which motivates some to use it especially in winter months. Don’t miss this unique swimming experience and don’t shy away from a visit even on colder days.

Street Art Tours

Street Art Tours

If you want to experience Newcastle from its most colourful side, join the Street Art Tours. The team of graffiti buffs and spray-paint enthusiasts take you to creative places with a story. While passing oversized art on foot or bike, you get background information on artists, insights on techniques and new perspectives on the city’s creative scene. The meeting point is near the water fountain at The Signal Box next to Queens Wharf Light Rail Stop. Make sure you call ahead of time to book your spot.

TreeTops Newcastle

TreeTops Newcastle

Choose from over 100 challenges and activities up to 20 metres above the forest floor. There are different levels of difficulty and the possibility to tailor your experience exactly towards your abilities and preferences. You will also find covered areas for picnics and a playground.

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