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New South Wales > Hunter Valley > Newcastle (New South Wales) -->
 Nobbys Head and Nobbys Beach Newcastle [1] is at the mouth of the Hunter River, approximately 150 km north of Sydney in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia. The second largest city in the state of NSW and sixth largest of Australia, Newcastle had an population of 137,000 in 2001 (newest data). The city is the focal point for a diverse district that encompasses beaches and mountains, restaurants and wineries.
[edit] Understand
Newcastle is Australia's oldest sea port, currently the second most important in the country in terms of overall tonnage. It is also the world's largest coal export port.
Since the closure of the BHP steelworks, Hunter New England Health and The University of Newcastle have become the city's primary employers.
Many novocastrians take an avid interest in sports, as participants, spectators or both. The local NRL Rugby League team, the Newcastle Knights are widely followed. Newcastle also hosts soccer, baseball, ice hockey, netball and various other sporting teams.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By car
Newcastle is located at the mouth of the Hunter River approximately 150km North of Sydney and lies in a region known as the Hunter Valley. Newcastle has a population of about 300,000 people with a further 100,000 people in the Hunter and Port Stephens area.
Newcastle is a 2hr drive north of Sydney on the F3 freeway which starts at Wahroonga (close to Hornsby) on the North Shore. The freeway is in excellent condition and driving is normally not difficult. However, as a large number of people commute to Sydney daily from the Central Coast and even Newcastle, travellers driving north during the evening peak (5pm to 7pm) will encounter heavy traffic between Wahroonga and the Central Coast with traffic easing off as you travel north the same applies to south bound traffic during the morning commute.
The F3 is located on the Western side of Lake Macquarie. If you want to travel up the Eastern side of Lake Macquarie (which travels through Swansea) then take the "Charlestown" exit on the F3. This route is more scenic, more hilly, and less congested (though it takes a few minutes longer). If you follow this route you will eventually come to the "Charlestown Bypass" at Bennett's Green which you can take if you wish to head north-west (towards Lambton). Otherwise keep following the main road until you reach Charlestown and then follow the signs to the city.
Traffic during holiday periods and long weekends is also affected with heavy northbound traffic at the beggining of the period as Sydneysiders flee the city for the weekend and finally heavy southbound traffic as they return.
[edit] By train
Sydney's Central, Strathfield, Epping and Hornsby stations have hourly Cityrail trains to Newcastle Station via the Central Coast. Travelling time is about 2.5-3 hours, and there is at least one train per hour for most of the day.
Several Countrylink [2] services pass through Newcastle's Broadmeadow station (approximately 5 kms from the CBD) daily from Sydney and the Central Coast to the south and from the North Coast and New England. These trains are a lot more expensive than Cityrail services and tickets must be booked in advance, but they are somewhat more comfortable and are also faster. Occasionally Countrylink discount tickets by up to 50% if booking tickets within 24 hours of travel, so it may be worth checking their fare.
[edit] By bus
- <listing name="McCafferty’s" address="" phone="13 1499" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">buses travel to Newcastle from Sydney.</listing>
- <listing name="Port Stephens Coaches" address="" phone="(02) 4982 2940" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.pscoaches.com.au">provides daily services from Port Stephens and Williamtown airport to Newcastle Railway Station.</listing>
[edit] By plane
Newcastle Airport (Williamtown) (Template:IATA), [3] is a major regional hub served by a number of domestic airlines:
- <listing name="Aeropelican" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.aeropelican.com.au/">flys to and from Sydney.</listing>
Note that with transfer time and check-in time included, flying may not the be fastest way to travel such a short distance as Sydney to Newcastle. However, the flight is particularly scenic, especially on a fine day, as there are stunning views of the northern beaches between Sydney and Newcastle. It can be well worth finding an excuse to fly if the cost is not an issue.
[edit] Get around
- <listing name="Cityrail" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price=""
url="http://www.cityrail.info/"></listing>
- <listing name="Newcastle Taxi Co-operative" address="" phone="131008" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></listing>
- <listing name="ARA Car Rental" address="86 Belford St, Broadmeadow" phone="1800 243 122" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.ararental.com.au">Located near the Broadmeadow Train Station.</listing>
- <listing name="Europcar" address="66 Hannell St, Wickham" phone="02 4940 0053" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.europcar.com.au/">Closest rental outlet to city centre and also has an outlet at the airport.</listing>
- <listing name="Budget" address="107 Tudor St, Hamilton" phone="02 4927 6375" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.budget.com.au/default.aspx">Bit further out from the CBD (not far from the Broadmeadow Train Station) and also has an airport outlet.</listing>
- <see name="Fort Scratchley" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">, a historic site which now houses a military museum. The fort defended Newcastle in 1942 when a Japanese submarine surfaced shelling the city. April 2006 - Fort Scratchley currently not accessible due to restoration works being in progress.</see>
- <see name="Nobbys Head" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">. Nobbys island is connected to the mainland by a pier built using convict labour (completed in 1846). The pier is accessible to pedestrians, and is flanked by Nobbys Beach. It provides an excellent vantage point to take in views of the harbour and Stockton Beach across the water.</see>
- <see name="The foreshore" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></see>
- <see name="King Edward Park" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></see>
- <see name="Mt Sugarloaf lookout" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></see>
- <see name="Heritage architecture" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">in and around the city. Notable buildings in the CBD area include the courthouse (top of Bolton St), former Customs House, Newcastle Railway Station, and Post Office (cnr of Hunter St and Bolton St).</see>
[edit] Beaches
[edit] Ocean baths
No visit to Newcastle during the warmer months would be complete without taking a dip in the ocean baths. On sunny days you can sunbathe on the Grandstand on the Fort side of the Baths.
The baths are also open during the winter, for the more adventurous. The Newcastle baths are home to the "Newcastle Pirates", a winter swimming club not unlike the Icebergs or Polar Bears of other places.
[edit] Festivals and events
The University of Newcastle [4] is one of the major regional universities in New South Wales. Its academic program is quite broad and includes many liberal arts courses. Their undergraduate medicine degree is very highly regarded.
- For locally made clothing with a quirky, hip look, try <listing name="High Tea with Mrs Woo" address="74 Darby Street, Cooks Hill " phone="4926 4883" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">Darby Street is also a good place to browse in the boutiques, although the options here aren't cheap.</listing>
- Retro/Second-hand clothing: Newcastle has a range of interesting <listing name="second-hand stores" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">some of which are priced very competitively when compared with their Sydney counterparts.</listing>
- <listing name="Patsan Dance Music Specialist" address="301 Hunter St" phone="4925 3996" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">,and</listing>** <listing name="Beaumont Street Beat" address="in Hamilton" phone="4962 5939" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">offers a good selection of new and second-hand titles.</listing>** <listing name="JB Hi-Fi" address="30 Northcott Drive Kotara" phone="4956 2588" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">is a popular and very large store, also a good place to go for DVDs.</listing>
- <listing name="Honeysuckle Markets" address="Merewether Street, Newcastle" phone="4927 5366" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.honeysucklemarkets.com.au/">Held every Sunday from 9am-3pm, feature produce, art and crafts from the Newcastle region.</listing>
- <listing name="Wickham Park Markets" address="Wickham Park, Albert St Wickham" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">Morning of the last Sunday of every month.</listing>
Most of the city's restaurants and cafés can be found along the two main eatery strips: Beaumont Street in Hamilton, and Darby Street in Cooks Hill.
[edit] Budget
There are numerous options along Beaumont St in Hamilton and Darby St in Cooks Hill. At Three Monkeys (Darby St Cooks Hill) coffee can be ordered by the bowl. Some of the best coffee in town can be found at Suspension (3 Beaumont St Islington). Euro Patisserie, 68 Orchardtown Rd, New Lambton, tel: 4957 7188, is deservedly popular for their award-winning cakes and pastries.
Other suggestions:
[edit] Mid-range
[edit] Splurge
- <drink name="Queens Wharf Brewery" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.qwb.com.au/">On the foreshore is a popular spot for a drink. The pub sells its own beers and has harbour views. During the day and M and Tu nights the atmosphere is relaxed, whilst W-Su evenings can get very busy. There's also entertainment (generally DJs, top 40 cover bands, R&B soloists) on W-Su evenings.</drink>
- <drink name="Silo Lounge Bar" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">is located in the new Honeysuckle development on the Harbour. A drawcard is the selection of Belgian beers available.</drink>
- <drink name="Northern Star Hotel" address="112 Beaumont St, Hamilton" phone="02 4961 1087" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">An Irish pub in the middle of Hamilton's restaurant strip. The Northern Star regularly functions as a music venue - check the blackboard out the front to find out what's on.</drink>
- <drink name="Kent Hotel" address="59 Beaumont Street, Hamilton" phone="02 4961 3303" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.thekenthotel.com.au/">A busy pub on Hamilton's restaurant strip. Check out the popular trivia night (each Wednesday, starts at 7.30 pm). </drink>
- <drink name="Beach Hotel" address="Fredrick Street, Merewether" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.bluetonguebrewery.com.au/">A Newcastle Institution. The place to be on Sunday night is sitting on the front deck overlooking Merewether Beach at sunset with a locally brewed Bluetounge Beer.</drink>
- <drink name="Gateway Hotel" address="Maitland Rd, Islington" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">The local establishment frequented by Newcastle's gay & lesbian community. The venue features a rotating mix of local and Sydney DJ's, special events, drag shows and feature performers, featuring a nightclub (Club G), main bar and bistro.</drink>
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid-range
[edit] Splurge
- The closest supermarket to the CBD is at Newcastle IGA (209 Hunter St, at northern end of mall), a compact little shop full of surprises for the interstate visitor. If you are feeling a little stressed you should walk to the seashore or Fletcher Park or the Obelisk to get things back into perspective.
Good walking shoes are required for the CBD as many streets are steep slopes. Use the walkways or footbridges to get to and from the CBD and the Foreshore. The Queen's Wharf Tower is ideal for calming restless children, they can run up and down the staircase or along the covered
walkways nearby! Make sure you note the Historic Markers in the CBD as they make sense of the magic that is Newcastle.
- Newcastle Regional Library, Laman Street, Newcastle,[5]. A large local library which also hosts exhibitions. This Library is a stunning War Memorial in a unique setting and style. Note also the curious bikestands outside the front steps. The Local Studies Library on the second floor will answer most questions about Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. A small Library well done.
[edit] Get out
- Sydney - Australia's most cosmopolitan city is easily reached by the Central Coast and Newcastle Cityrail lines.
- Hunter Valley - Australia's oldest wine-producing region; the town of Cessnock, adjacent to the Lower Hunter wine region (including the Pokolbin district) is 40 minutes drive away.
- Port Stephens - featuring Nelson Bay, a 40 minute drive north and famous for its holiday lifestyle and beaches, and for whale and dolphin watching.
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