Newcastle is famous for its beautiful beaches and live music scene. But they’re not the only two reasons to visit the spectacular coastal city in NSW.
Over the past decade, it’s turned into an arts and shopping mecca. That’s largely thanks to Renew Newcastle, an initiative that persuaded landlords to let creatives occupy their vacant commercial properties for free while waiting for a paying tenant. It aimed to revive the city after the closure of its steelworks in 1999 caused an economic downturn.
As a result, Newcastle has become a popular destination for road trippers – whether they’re escaping Sydney for a few days or driving all the way from Sydney to Brisbane. Here’s how to spend a weekend in and around town filled with great eats, beautiful sights and colourful history.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
After a drive, coffee is usually the first thing on anyone’s mind. Make your first stop Sprocket Roasters in Lambton, a local roasting collective on a mission to provide the tastiest and most eco-friendly caffeine hit in town.
For the best views in town, head to Merewether Surfhouse for lunch. Taste your way from Queensland king tiger prawn cocktails with seafood sauce to Etty Bay barramundi with yuzu hollandaise, alongside a glass or two of the Hunter Valley’s best finest Semillon.
After sunset, make tracks to Darby Street for great small bars and excellent restaurants. Visit 5 Sawyers for espresso martinis, Bar Romeo for natural wines, The Etna for pasta, the Urban Deli for charcuterie and Light Years for Asian fare.
WHERE TO WALK IN NEWCASTLE
With all that eating and drinking under your belt, you’ll be ready to give your legs a good stretch.
For rainforests and waterfalls, drive southwest for 10 kilometres to reach Glenrock State Conservation Area. Here, you can take the magical Yuelarbah Walking Track, a seven-kilometre trail that forms part of the 250-kilometre-long Great North Walk.
VISIT ONE OF NEWCASTLE’S BEACHES
For beaches, beaches and more beaches, follow the Bathers Bay Walk, a six-kilometre-long trail from Merewethers Baths in the south to Nobbys Beach Lighthouse in the north. If you’re there between May and November, look out for whales. For a closer whale watching experience during the season, CoastXP offers guided adventure boat tours and whale watching cruises from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, with expert wildlife guides leading nature-based experiences along the stunning coastline.
If you’re visiting in the warmer months, then swimming should be high on the list of your things to do in Newcastle. Try Newcastle Beach for surf, Horseshoe Beach for dolphin spotting and Newcastle Ocean Baths for stunning Art Deco-influenced pools.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN NEWCASTLE
To experience how Renew Newcastle helped the city transform, begin by visiting its many independent art galleries and studios. An interesting place to start is the Creator Incubator in Hamilton North, where 38 artists, designers, makers and thinkers work. Other highlights include the Newcastle Art Space and the Owens Collective in Islington, CStudios and Mitch Revs in the city, and Leda Gallery in Newcastle West.
For adventure seekers looking to explore beyond the city, Newcastle-based Walking Rivers offers kayaking, abseiling, and bushwalking experiences in nearby national parks. Their small-group adventures include everything from half-day abseiling in the Watagans to multi-day kayaking expeditions, perfect for adding an adrenaline rush to your Newcastle weekend.
EXPLORE RICH HISTORY
To dive into Newcastle’s mining and steel production history, see a Model T Ford built in the 1920s, and learn about how the Worrimai and Awarbukarl people used stringy bark to build kuueeyung (canoes), add Newcastle Museum to your itinerary. The hands-on science centre, Supernova, will keep the kids entertained.
Or, visit Fort Scratchley, the only Australian fort to fire on enemy vessels during WWII. The interactive museum and underground tunnels offer fascinating insights into Newcastle’s military past. Walk the ANZAC Memorial Walk at Strzelecki Lookout for panoramic coastal views and war memorials.
HOW TO GET TO NEWCASTLE
Newcastle is two hours’ drive north of Sydney, five hours’ drive northeast of Canberra, nine hours’ drive south of Brisbane and 11 hours’ drive north of Melbourne.
You can make your visit part of a road trip, or jump in a plane and pick up a SIXT car rental at Newcastle Airport. Our friendly team can find the ideal vehicle for you – be it a roomy SUV, an eco-friendly EV or a 4WD for heading off-road.
