Newcastle, New South Wales
Discovering Newcastle. A locals guide to the best-kept secrets and history of the Hunter region.
Something For Everyone In Newcastle, New South Wales
Newcastle is a harbour city in the state of New South Wales. Newcastle is the perfect place to enjoy all the East Coast of NSW has to offer. With its golden sand beaches, breathtaking coastline, and beautiful working harbour, Newcastle is a haven for visitors and locals alike. The cafes, restaurants, and bars in the city centre are the perfect places to enjoy a meal or a drink while enjoying the stunning views. For those who want to explore further, there are plenty of nature reserves and National Parks nearby where you can find hiking trails, swimming holes, and picnic spots. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an adventure-filled vacation, Newcastle is the perfect destination. Its plentiful beaches are linked by The Bathers Way, a coastal walk connecting all of Newcastle’s beaches. It stretches for over six kilometres and provides stunning views of the ocean.
Newcastle’s Harbour is one of the busiest in Australia and is home to many fishing boats and yachts. The city is also popular with surfers, as it has some of the best surfing beaches in the country.
History Of Newcastle
The Awabakal and Worimi peoples are the traditional custodians of the land and waters in the Newcastle local government area. This includes the city of Newcastle and its surrounding suburbs. The Awabakal and Worimi people are the original inhabitants of the land that is now known as Newcastle. They have a strong connection to the land and its resources, which they have used for thousands of years. They occupied the land prior to European settlement and have a deep spiritual connection to their country. Both the Awabakal and Worimi peoples have a rich culture and history that continues today and is an integral part of Newcastle’s identity.
In 1804, a convict settlement was established on the Hunter River to exploit the coal deposits in the Hunter Valley. It was initially known as Coal River but was renamed Newcastle after England’s Newcastle coal port.
As the largest port on Australia’s east coast, with approximately 4,400 ship movements per year, the Port of Newcastle is also rated as the largest coal port in the world, exporting an average of 165 megatons of coal a year.
Things To Do In Newcastle
The Hunter Valley is a world-renowned wine region outside Newcastle, Australia. The Hunter Valley offers visitors 150 wineries to explore, each with its unique flavour profile. In addition to the excellent wine, visitors can enjoy chocolate and cheese pairings and a delicious feast to end the day. With so much to see and do, the Hunter Valley is an excellent destination for any wine lover.
Whale watching in Newcastle is an excellent way to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. These gentle giants of the sea can be seen migrating along the coast from May to November.
There are numerous whale-watching tour companies in Newcastle, so you’re sure to find one that meets your requirements. Whether you want to go on a boat trip or take a scenic drive, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with these amazing animals.
Blackbutt Nature Reserve is a haven for wildlife and a great place to explore the Australian bush. The reserve is home to many different species of animals, including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, and more.
The reserve is also a great place for birdwatching, with over 150 different species of birds recorded in the area. There are walking tracks throughout the reserve so that you can explore at your own pace. Whether you’re looking to spot some wildlife or just enjoy a leisurely walk in the bush, Blackbutt Nature Reserve is definitely worth a visit.
The city of Newcastle, New South Wales, is home to a thriving community of urban artists. These artists have transformed the city’s streets into outdoor art galleries, brightening the drab concrete with their vibrant murals and graffiti, giving the city its unique character. The abundance of street art in Newcastle reflects the city’s creative spirit, and its residents are proud of its unique public art scene.
Fort Scratchley is a fascinating historical landmark located in the city of Newcastle. The fort protected the city and state during World War II. The fort was also one of the country’s first to have gun installations. Guns are fired at 1 p.m. every day except Tuesday. Tours are available when they are open and are run by enthusiastic volunteers.
The Olive Tree Markets are one of the biggest in the city for art and design, making them the ideal place to find unique souvenirs and special gifts.
The city’s beaches are a significant attraction for tourists and locals alike. They’re known as a few of the most mesmerizing beaches in Australia, along with some of the most aesthetically pleasing ocean pools. The main beaches are connected by the bather way, a six-kilometre coastal walking trail with magnificent ocean views.
Merewether ocean baths is a heritage-listed swimming bath located on the southern headland of Merewether Beach in Newcastle, New South Wales. The baths were designed by architect J. H. Eales and were built in 1922 by W. Tullock & Sons. They are also known as Merewether Municipal Baths and Merewether Surf Baths. The baths are significant as the first municipal ocean baths in Newcastle and an early example of the use of reinforced concrete in public baths construction.
The Bogey Hole is an artificial freshwater pool located in the heart of Newcastle, Australia. The pool was created by convict labour for Major James Morisset in 1819 and is one of the city’s oldest landmarks, over 200 years old. The pool was initially referred to as the commandant pool after Morisset.
The Bogey Hole is a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors alike and is well known for its picturesque setting and sandy bottom. The pool is 30 meters long and 3 meters deep, making it perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. The Bogey Hole was hand-hewn out of a wave-cut rock platform.
Newcastle - A Coffee Lovers Paradise
Newcastle is a coffee lover’s paradise. With so many cafes and coffee shops to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect cup of coffee for your taste. Whether you’re looking for a traditional cup of coffee or something more unique, you’ll find it in Newcastle.
Here are our top three –
How To Get To Newcastle, New South Wales
Located only 150km north of Sydney, Newcastle is easy to access by car, plane, bus or train from Sydney. Once in Newcastle, it is easy to get around thanks to many local public transport options, rideshares and taxis.
Car
The four major highways that connect Newcastle to the rest of Australia are –
The Pacific Highway – links Newcastle South to Syndey and North to Brisbane.
New England Highway – The New England Highway is an 883-kilometre-long highway in Australia running from Yarraman, north of Toowoomba, Queensland to Hexham at Newcastle, New South Wales, at its southern end. It is part of Australia’s National Highway system and forms part of the inland route between Brisbane and Sydney.
Golden Highway. Golden Highway is a 313-kilometre highway, located in the Hunter and Orana regions of New South Wales, Australia. It runs eastwards from Dubbo towards Newcastle on the coast, allowing road transport to avoid travelling over the Blue Mountains to Sydney
The drive from Sydney to Newcastle is only about 2 hours. In contrast, it takes around 8 hours to reach Brisbane.
Plane
For those flying into Newcastle, the airport has regular services from airlines Jetstar and Virgin Australia, operating out of major cities such as Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Ballina, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. The airport is only half an hour from downtown Newcastle, providing direct shuttle transfers, car hire and taxi services for visitors’ convenience.
Train
Newcastle is a part of the New South Wales City Rail network and is serviced by frequent daily return rail services from Sydney. However, the CountryLink rail service connects Newcastle to Brisbane, county New South Wales, Canberra and Melbourne via Broadmeadow station for visitors arriving by rail from other parts of the country. Travel time by rail from Sydney to Newcastle is approximately two and a half to three hours.
Bus
If you’re looking for an affordable and convenient way to travel to Newcastle, consider taking the coach or bus. Various coach companies operating throughout Australia regularly connect to Newcastle, but Greyhound is one of the most popular. Greyhound operates from multiple locations between Brisbane and Sydney, stopping in Newcastle.
Car Hire
If you’re looking for transportation during your holiday in Newcastle, there are a number of different rental companies that offer cars for hire from both the airport and within the city centre. Some of these companies include Europcar, Budget and Thrifty.