Newcastle Beach
Newcastle
Home to golden sandy beaches and a breathtaking coastline, Newcastle offers visitors an eclectic combination of adventure, entertainment, and relaxation. Delicious cafes to fine dining and cocktail bars, plus ocean baths, coastal walks, outdoor adventures, galleries, and a vibrant nightlife make this compact city the perfect weekend getaway. Newcastle is also the gateway to Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, and the Hunter Valley – perfect to explore nearby pristine waterways, wineries, and countryside.
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Baggage included
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Places to stay
Newcastle is a culinary and artistic hotspot near the sea. You’ll find five-star hotels through to self-catering apartments, right in the centre of town, many with water views. Newcastle is also the perfect place to rent an Airbnb with areas like The Hill and Cooks Hill offering up architectural terraces and cottages that reflect the city’s history but with a modern twist. If you fancy a surf shack over a quaint cottage, Merewether is an excellent location that’ll position you close to the beach and close to all the eateries and shops in The Junction.
North of Newcastle, you’ll find idyllic Port Stephens. Stay in a boutique luxury resort, hotel or enjoy glamping on the water’s edge. Share the experience with your family in a holiday home, resort style apartment, or beachside cabin.
South of Newcastle, discover Lake Macquarie. With the largest saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere, there’s plenty of space for water activities or just relaxing on sandy beaches. Stay at a stylish beach house, modern hotel, laid-back B&B, or holiday park.
If you prefer wine over water views, venture to the Hunter Valley. As Australia’s oldest wine-growing region, you’ll find more than award-winning wines, with acclaimed gourmet restaurants, delicious local produce, and luxurious spa retreats to enjoy.
Things to do
Newcastle is a compact city with a coastal vibe and a thriving arts culture to explore. With six patrolled city beaches, two ocean baths, and an iconic ocean pool to choose from, swimming and surfing are top of the list when visiting Newcastle. Bathers Way Walk is a 6km paved coastal walk that connects all of Newcastle's coastal highlights with panoramic views, skate parks, murals, and cafes also in the mix. Explore Newcastle's laneways and street art by joining one of the city's walking tours or jump on board one of the cruise tours to see dolphins and humpback whales up close during migration.
For those wanting to while away an afternoon or stay for an evening in wine country, the Hunter Valley has boutique cellar doors offering tastings and winemaking experiences, with the likes of Krinklewood, Peppertree, or Tempus Two to visit. Travel to this historic wine region is just over an hour away by car or tour bus.
Newcastle is a coastal community of creatives and thriving small enterprises, and there is a range of creative experiences visitors can sign up for. From cooking classes, clay and sip, to gin blending workshops, there is always something new to discover in this intriguing and innovative city.
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Food and drink
It will come as no surprise that the vast number of Newcastle eateries are as trendy and forward-thinking as its many other creative outlets. Turn lazy mornings into even lazier lunches at Bolton Street Pantry, Estabar, The Autumn Rooms or Coco Monde. Grab some pastries from Uprising Bakery and spend your Saturday mornings at the Olive Tree Markets. To get a taste for the city’s coastal spin on contemporary dining, book a table at local favourites like Sabo, Grain Store and Ginger Meg’s.
Top 10 things to do in Newcastle
Golden beaches, postcard-perfect ocean pools, a busy harbour and intriguing history make New South Wales’ second-largest city, Newcastle, a favourite travel destination. It’s also the gateway to some of the state’s best wines, 50km northwest in the Hunter region, and yet more beaches and whale-watching waters in Port Stephens, 60km to the northeast.
Getting around
From the airport: Newcastle Airport is located approximately 25 minutes drive from the town centre, and is serviced by taxis, shuttle bus services and rental cars.
In and around the city: buses and taxis service the Newcastle centre. Take a drive or join a tour to expand your horizons to the neighbouring regions.
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