Looking for a vacay where the kids can burn some energy, the beaches are golden, the parks are green, the galleries are great and the coffee is better? Newcastle has you covered.
Fly to Newcastle from major hubs including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Cairns, it’s a coastal paradise in all seasons!
Arrive at Newcastle Airport and pick up a hire car or taxi and you’ll be in Newcastle CBD in less than half an hour.
Once you arrive, drop your bags at Terminus Apartments, your home for the next 4 days. Our tip? Book a harbour facing room to watch the ships come in and out of the harbour, check our events at ‘The Station’ from above and enjoy your morning cuppa overlooking the crisp sunrise on the balcony.
The CBD is well connected to Newcastle Foreshore, Nobbys and Newcastle Beach and the iconic Bathers Way so head straight to The Edmonds for a morning coffee and get the kids scooting, skating or riding through Pacific Park along the Foreshore or the path between Newcastle and Nobbys Beach. The views are stunning so grab a family snap while you’re out there.
Get your bearings of the city by joining a walking tour with local expert Becky Kiil from Newcastle Afoot. Offering Eat and Drink History Walking Tours, Newcastle East Tours and an Architecture, Street Art & Hidden Secrets Walking Tour of Newcastle, there’s certainly a tour option to suit everyone in the family.
Finish the day with dinner at The Signal Box, which is just across the road from your accommodation. Housed in a historic working railway signal box that operated until the Newcastle heavy rail line closed in 2014. Today the 1930’s heritage building has a new lease of life with a stylish steel and concrete dining pavilion offering a nod to the site’s industrial past and the most delicious dishes any time of day.
Heads up: The Signal Box is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner so take your pick!
Where to Stay
This morning, head up to Darby St where there’s a breakfast option to suit everyone as well as shops featuring local makers and traders. Not far from here though, you’ll find Mitch Revs Gallery – a gallery where colour is king! Mitch’s works are bright, ooze happiness and many of them revolve around Newcastle locations. Book the kids into the ‘Decked Out’ workshop where they can paint their very own skate deck!
Take a lunch break wherever takes your fancy – there’s plenty of choices in the CBD but we think the Honeysuckle is a good spot. There’s cafes and restaurants and gorgeous harbour views.
This afternoon, while away a few hours at Newcastle Museum where you can learn about Newcastle’s history and see special exhibitions (don’t miss the BHP light show).
Wind down the day with dinner at Napoli Centrale on King Street – an authentic Italian restaurant with the best wood fired pizzas getting around. The best bit? Popolo Gelateria is literally across the road for your after dinner treat.
Another great way to see the sights of the city, without too much walking is via the Newcastle Famous Tram.
Got some extra time today? Catch the ferry from Queens Wharf to Stockton (don’t forget the scooters!) and enjoy a walk along Stockton Breakwall where you can learn about local shipwrecks and catch the view of the Newcastle skyline. Also over here is the Stockton Active hub – a huge skate park and play equipment area for kids.
It’s time to stretch the legs and get active with some park time. Head to Glenrock State Conservation Area and enjoy the 5.5km return walk along the Yuelerbah Track. The gorgeous ferns, gullies, beach views and waterfalls won’t disappoint.
If you still have the energy, head to Merewether Beach, home to international surfing festival Surfest and local hotspot where sandy hair rules and shoes are optional. Spend the rest of the day here splashing around in the Merewether Ocean Baths, drinking coffee and eating lunch from Merewether Surfhouse or Blue Door Kiosk.
Take it easy tonight with dinner from iconic local spot, Scotties, in Newcastle East, just a short walk from your hotel. Book a table or sit it and enjoy your meal on the lawn next to the restaurant, or takeaway and enjoy the sunset over Newcastle Beach.
Looking for something else: Check out the Civic Theatre program and enjoy a night at the theatre.
Another outdoor activity you say?
Newcastle is a scenic place, and seeing it from the water will give you a whole new vantage point to enjoy. Hop on board with CoastXP or Nova Cruises and discover the Newcastle coastline by boat – keep an eye out for marine life life seals and sea birds, and if travelling between June-November, it is of course whale migration season where some 35,000 whales can be seen passing the Hunter Coast.
Travelling by air to Newcastle from interstate is a breeze. Newcastle CBD is an easy 25-minute drive from Newcastle Airport. Fly direct to Newcastle from Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. Flights are operated by Jetstar, Virgin Australia, FlyPelican, Link Airways and QantasLink.
