Highlights
- Enjoy great dining with stunning water views
- Discover the inner city suburbs that are booming.
- Enjoy the food strip atmosphere of Darby and Beaumont Streets
- Discover the vibrant and varied bar scene
- Discover the heritage center of the city and its magnificent coastline
Get There
Newcastle is a short drive from Sydney along the M1 (Pacific Highway). You won’t have to take any turns. The Rydges Newcastle is a good choice for a city center hotel. It has an outdoor pool, and it’s within walking distance. The hotel is located on the Honeysuckle Promenade, which has many bars, restaurants, and pubs.
Day One: Friday
Day One Key Facts
Merewether Surfhouse can be found at
- 5 Henderson Parade Merewether NSW 291
- Rydges Newcastle is a 4km drive away.
Evening
NNewcastle’smost impressive asset is its coastal setting. So, get in a workout along the 6km Bathers Way. You can start at Nobbys Beach. Then, walk to Merewether Beach. The art deco Newcastle Ocean Baths is a great place to start. Or, you can continue and swim in Bogey Hole, a 200-year-old ocean pool that was hand-carved by convicts.
The hike will reward you with stunning scenery and the Merewether Surfhouse. This is one of the most popular social spots on NNewcastle’sbeach. This striking glass building houses an Italian Restaurant, Cafe, Pizza Kiosk, Cocktail Bar, and a stunning view. Enjoy sardines, duck with orange and fennel, pasta with lamb ragu, or slow-cooked veal.
Afternoon
Explore the beautiful point between the ocean, the Hunter River, and Nobby Lighthouse. The nearby Fort Scratchley Historical Site has a rich military history. As the sun sets, you can head to Grain Store Newcastle to enjoy a wide range of Australian boutique beers (21 are available on tap) or Saints Bar to sample its 50+ gins and delicious cocktails. FogHorn Brewhouse offers classic American-style burgers and wings to go with its impressive selection of tap beers brewed on-site. The basement at Market St also has a large wine and cocktail menu and delicious antipasti dishes.
Evening
Rustica Newcastle Beach’s flamenco music and wine barrels may remind you of Spain, but the menu is pan-Mediterranean. Blue Kahunas offers late-night rum if you want to finish your evening. Modus Mereweather.
Day Two: Saturday
DAY TWO: KEY FACTS
Inner City Winemakers can be found at
- 28 Church Street, Wickham NSW 223
- Cooks Hill is a 2km drive away.
Evening
Then, spend the morning exploring the history of the city at Newcastle Museum. You can also admire the art at Newcastle Art Gallery, which houses extensive collections of Australian indigenous art. You can also wander down Darby Street and explore the inner-city suburb of Cooks Hill to find some inspiration for lunch. This bohemian, leafy quarter has quirky boutiques, galleries, and 25 cafes and restaurants. Beach Burrito Co is a laid-back spot that offers tacos with a Mexican twist and salads with a kickback atmosphere. The autumn rooms are likewise secluded and relaxed, with sophisticated cafe dishes.
Afternoon
Wine lovers should stop at Inner City Winemakers in Wickham, where they can sample blended wine styles made from grapes from all over NSW. Maryville, Tighes Hills, and Mayfield, three vibrant and emerging suburbs north of here, are worth a visit, not only for their fashion, homewares, and antiques stores but also for their innovative food scene. You can visit a delicious afternoon treat from Uprising Bakery & Kitchen or a cup of coffee from Praise Joe Urban pantry as you explore. A private walking tour with Newcastle Afoot Walking Tours is a great way to learn more.
Evening
The Italian and Greek immigrants in Hamilton were the first to bring coffee culture into existence. The area has evolved into a cosmopolitan bar and restaurant strip. The Blind Monk, or Swill Bar at the Exchange HHotel’s transformed Exchange Hotel, is a great place to start. Take your pick for dinner. Beaumont Street is a Mediterranean street, but it also has a wide variety of food. Naka Noodle and Eight Buns are popular for their handmade dumplings or soup noodles and dim sum.
Day Three: Sunday
DAY THREE: KEY FACTS
CCrusoe’son the Lake can be found at
- Lake Macquarie Yacht Club, Ada Street, Belmont NSW 2280
- The center of Newcastle is 20km away.
Evening
You can drive back to Sydney via the A49 or A43. These roads wind between Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lake. They also run along the coast up until The Entrance. From there, you can join the Pacific Highway.
Redhead Beach is Newcastle’s most spectacular stretch of sand. Enjoy a stroll, a swim, or some bird watching. Belmont is a nearby suburb that overlooks Lake Macquarie and is on the southern edge of Newcastle. For a seafood-focused pub with a view of the water, try CCrusoe’son Lake. Or, for classic Italian cuisine, visit Salina Restaurant. Coffee Cafe is located at Caves Beach and makes a great brunch spot.
Afternoon
Spend an afternoon at Wyrrabalong National Park to enjoy fishing, surfing, whale-watching, and bushwalks on clifftops. What’s the rush to go home when you can enjoy such coastal delights?
