{"id":5344,"date":"2025-07-31T22:12:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T22:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5344"},"modified":"2025-08-20T22:13:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T22:13:12","slug":"how-to-spend-a-weekend-in-newcastle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/how-to-spend-a-weekend-in-newcastle\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spend a Weekend in Newcastle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Newcastle<\/a> is famous for its beautiful beaches and live music scene. But they\u2019re not the only two reasons to visit the spectacular coastal city in NSW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past decade, it\u2019s turned into an arts and shopping mecca. That\u2019s largely thanks to Renew Newcastle<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, Newcastle has become a popular destination for road trippers \u2013 whether they\u2019re escaping Sydney for a few days or driving all the way from Sydney to Brisbane<\/a>. Here\u2019s how to spend a weekend in and around town filled with great eats, beautiful sights and colourful history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Newcastle
Image credit: denisbin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a drive, coffee is usually the first thing on anyone\u2019s mind. Make your first stop Sprocket Roasters<\/a> in Lambton, a local roasting collective on a mission to provide the tastiest and most eco-friendly caffeine hit in town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s best finest Semillon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHERE TO WALK IN NEWCASTLE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With all that eating and drinking under your belt, you\u2019ll be ready to give your legs a good stretch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

VISIT ONE OF NEWCASTLE’S BEACHES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019re there between May and November, look out for whales. For a closer whale watching experience during the season, CoastXP <\/a>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Newcastle
Image credit: Visit NSW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

WHAT TO SEE AND DO<\/strong> IN NEWCASTLE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For adventure seekers looking to explore beyond the city, Newcastle-based Walking Rivers <\/a>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXPLORE RICH HISTORY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To dive into Newcastle\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOW TO GET TO NEWCASTLE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newcastle is two hours\u2019 drive north of Sydney<\/a>, five hours\u2019 drive northeast of Canberra<\/a>, nine hours\u2019 drive south of Brisbane<\/a> and 11 hours\u2019 drive north of Melbourne.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>. Our friendly team can find the ideal vehicle for you \u2013 be it a roomy SUV, an eco-friendly EV or a 4WD for heading off-road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Newcastle is famous for its beautiful beaches and live music scene. But they\u2019re not the only two reasons to visit the spectacular coastal city in NSW. Over the past decade, it\u2019s turned into an arts and shopping mecca. That\u2019s largely thanks to Renew Newcastle, an initiative that persuaded landlords to let creatives occupy their vacant…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[76,122],"class_list":{"0":"post-5344","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-newcastle","8":"tag-roadtrips-nsw","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nHow to Spend a Weekend in Newcastle | SIXT Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the best things to do in Newcastle for a perfect weekend getaway. 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