{"id":5438,"date":"2024-12-05T21:19:47","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T21:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5438"},"modified":"2024-12-05T21:19:50","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T21:19:50","slug":"how-to-visit-newcastle-with-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/how-to-visit-newcastle-with-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Visit Newcastle with Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Heading to Newcastle<\/a> with kids? You won\u2019t be short of things to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From safe beaches and ocean pools, to flat cycleways and easy hiking trails, to wildlife parks and fun playgrounds (in pubs), there are activities for children of all ages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how to keep the little ones entertained all holiday long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SWIM SAFELY AT NEWCASTLE BEACH<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For kids who love the water, Newcastle Beach is hard to beat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those under five will love Canoe Pool, which is at the beach\u2019s northern end. It\u2019s shallow, sun-warmed and usually packed with other families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, those over five who are more confident in the water can jump in the nearby Newcastle Ocean Baths or swim between the flags outside the surf club. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

TAKE A TOUR THROUGH HISTORY ALONG MACQUARIE PIER <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On this walk, you and the kids will stretch your legs while enjoying beautiful views of Newcastle Harbour and learning about local history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A series of signs delve into many aspects of Newcastle\u2019s past \u2013 from the ancient volcanoes that formed its geography to the Japanese submarine attack of World War Two. Each sign has a QR code, which takes you to an audio tour on YouTube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEE KOALAS AND PEACOCKS AT BLACKBUTT RESERVE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20 minutes\u2019 drive west of the Newcastle CBD is Blackbutt Reserve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This 182-hectare natural paradise is filled with lovely picnic spots, spacious playgrounds and interesting walking trails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also a mini-zoo, where the kids can meet koalas, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and emus. On top of that, ducks and peacocks roam freely in the wild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Peacock
Image credit: OzinOH\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

LIFT A CAR AT NEWCASTLE MUSEUM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For kids who like to prove their strength, Newcastle Museum shouldn\u2019t be missed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the highlights is the experience of lifting a car with a pulley. It\u2019s inside Supernova, the Museum\u2019s science centre, which is packed with other hands-on activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also a steelmaking show with special effects, an old tram carriage and displays that recount Newcastle\u2019s colourful history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MOUNTAIN BIKE AMONG WATERFALLS AT GLENROCK STATE CONSERVATION AREA <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just 15 minutes\u2019 drive south of Newcastle is Glenrock State Conservation Area, a land of lush rainforest, refreshing waterfalls and secluded beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are loads of things to do with kids here \u2013 from taking a tour with an Aboriginal Discovery ranger to visiting Dudley Beach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular activities is mountain biking. More than 40 kilometres of tracks are suitable for kids, including total beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FEASTING AT ONE OF NEWCASTLE\u2019S KID-FRIENDLY PUBS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plenty of pubs and clubs in and around Newcastle are family-friendly, even providing outdoor play equipment where the kids can let off some steam while their parents kick back and eat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those with particularly good playgrounds include the Argenton Hotel in Lake Macquarie, the Bank Hotel in East Maitland, the Belmont 16s Sailing Club in Belmont, the Blackbutt Hotel in New Lambton, the Bradford Hotel in Rutherford and the Cardiff RSL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GETTING TO NEWCASTLE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newcastle is a two-hour drive north of Sydney<\/a>, an eight-hour drive south of Brisbane<\/a> and a five-hour drive northwest of Canberra<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a faster trip, fly to Newcastle Airport<\/a>, then pick up a car rental from the SIXT desk. We\u2019re in the terminal, just a brief walk from the arrivals area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for more travel inspiration in Newcastle? SIXT\u2019s online magazine is filled with ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For starters, visit our guide to road tripping the Hunter Valley<\/a>, our post on three unforgettable day trips from Newcastle<\/a> and our rundown on five unexpected experiences you can have in and around town<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Heading to Newcastle with kids? You won\u2019t be short of things to do. From safe beaches and ocean pools, to flat cycleways and easy hiking trails, to wildlife parks and fun playgrounds (in pubs), there are activities for children of all ages.  Here\u2019s how to keep the little ones entertained all holiday long. SWIM SAFELY…<\/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-5438","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 Visit Newcastle with Kids - SIXT Magazine Australia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From safe beaches and ocean pools, to flat cycleways and easy hiking trails, to wildlife parks and fun playgrounds (in pubs).\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/how-to-visit-newcastle-with-kids\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Visit Newcastle with Kids - 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