Newcastle, the perfect place for a break

0
0
GoNSWGoNSW2 years ago
Newcastle, the perfect place for a break

NSW’s second biggest city makes an idyllic weekender you’ll be reminiscing about for months. With a freshly renovated airport, glitzy new places to stay, and a never-ending roll call of unique hamlets to eat, drink and shop, Newcastle ticks a lot of holiday boxes. Get your holiday glow on with these 10 revitalising things to do in ‘Newy’. Get your family adventure or couple's retreat, grab your bags, pack your bags and pack a swimsuit.

Take a dip in the world’s largest ocean pool (and Australia’s oldest)

There’s nothing more soul-cleansing than diving into the blue, and Newcastle’s sparkling coastline has plenty of places to let it all wash away. As well as world-class surf breaks, Newcastle’s ocean pools are protected swimming areas that make the most of the crystal-clear water. Do some laps in the Merewether Ocean Baths, the largest ocean pool in the Southern Hemisphere, or simply catch some rays and have a chat on the steps leading into the water — known to the locals as the ‘Steps of Knowledge’. Nearby, the Newcastle Ocean Baths are surrounded by a beautiful, heritage-listed Art Deco pavilion, with the family-friendly Canoe Pool next door. Don’t leave Newy without seeking out the Bogey Hole — a local favourite, Instagrammer’s dream and potentially the very first man-made ocean pool in Australia, hand-hewn by convicts in 1819.

Merewether Ocean Bath
3a Ocean St, Merewether NSW 2291, Australia
Bogey Hole
Shortland Esplanade, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Sweeten up with some MasterChef-worthy desserts

Former MasterChef contestant Reece Hignell has launched his sweetest project yet: Cakeboi, a takeaway dessert shop dishing out his twist on his nan’s traditional cakes and bakes. Pick up a jam-drizzled lamington, order a wedge of cream-filled Victoria sponge, a sliver of scorched crème brûlée tart and more nice slices. The menu changes daily, so there’s always a reason to go back for a second serving.

Cake Boi
48 Lindsay St, Hamilton NSW 2303, Australia

Laugh, cry or sing the night away at the Civic Theatre

Enter the elegant baroque halls and stroll up the red velvet staircase to find some of the world’s best performers taking the stage at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre. Opened in 1929, this heritage-listed city icon is a place where magic happens — The Civic is where you’ll find all the best live music, comedy, dance and theatre performances to make a night of it.

Newcastle Civic Theatre
375 Hunter St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Feel inspiration hit with a modern art marathon

When it comes to creativity, Newcastle paints outside the box. With its colourful street murals, flashy annual art festival and contemporary art galleries tucked in every corner, there’s no shortage of inspiration in this city. Visit the Newcastle Art Gallery for two floors of curated modern art exhibits; the permanent collection comprises 7000 artworks, including those by Brett Whitley, Emily Kame Kngwarreye and John Olsen.

Newcastle Art Gallery
1 Laman St, Cooks Hill NSW 2300, Australia

If you’re keen to explore more, visit The Lock-Up, a collection of galleries held within the city’s former police station cells, plus Cooks Hill Gallery, Gallery 139 and CStudios.

The Lock-Up
90 Hunter St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Taste fine-dining food that looks like fine art

Beauty isn’t just on the wall in Newcastle; the city’s dining scene has stepped up to offer some of the most creative plates in the state. At Flotilla, in the up-and-coming Wickham neighbourhood, an artistic and thoughtful menu shows off Australian produce.

The Flotilla
9 Albert St, Wickham NSW 2293, Australia

Signal Box offers made-from-scratch ingredients and premium wine in a bright and breezy wharfside locale.

Signal Box Newcastle
155 Wharf Rd, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Rustica puts a twist on Mediterranean using local produce such as Port Stephens oysters and Upper Hunter lamb; and Ginger Megs brings a vibrant taste of Southeast Asia.

Rustica Newcastle Beach
2/1 King St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Discover natural wonderlands just minutes from the city centre

In Newcastle you can go from city streets to secluded wilderness in just minutes. The Carrington Mangrove Boardwalk is a stunning local secret, a sunlit boarded path that takes you through lush mangroves all the way to a viewing platform over Throsby Creek. Just 15 minutes from the beach, Glenrock State Conservation Area feels a world away. Hike through lush rainforest or bring your bike and speed past red gums, wildflowers and waterfalls on the 14-kilometre purpose-built mountain bike trail.

Glenrock State Conservation Area
Yuelarbah Track, Highfields NSW 2289, Australia

For ultimate coastal views, the ANZAC Memorial Walk is a 450-metre clifftop walkway that links the impressive Strzelecki Lookout to Bar Beach.

Anzac Memorial Bridge
24 Memorial Dr, The Hill NSW 2300, Australia

Say g’day to wildlife both in the trees and underwater

With pristine natural beauty stretching out in almost every direction from Newcastle, there’s no wonder plenty of wildlife call this region home. Head out into the sparkling blue bay, where you can watch pods of friendly dolphins leap through the waves on a CoastXP tour or go whale watching with Spitfire Pilot Boats. If you’d like to experience the marine world without testing your sea legs, the Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters in nearby Port Stephens offer an educational, interactive and fun environment to meet these often misunderstood sea creatures.

Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters
2 Jessie Rd, Anna Bay NSW 2316, Australia

On land, experience the new Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, which allows you to get up close to rescued koalas on a 250-metre immersive story walk.

Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary
562 Gan Gan Rd, One Mile NSW 2316, Australia

See the world from a different perspective

Housed in the historic Honeysuckle Railway Workshops, the Newcastle Museum is a chance to step back in time and see how the world began. Browse the permanent collections, rotating exhibits and visit the Supernova Science Centre for a hands-on experience that teaches kids (and adults) scientific concepts in an interactive way: lift a car, create a tornado, play in a magnetic field and more.

Newcastle Museum
6 Workshop Way, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Find something outside the box to take home

Tea towels and fridge magnets are no longer the standard souvenir. Lift your gifting game with a bottle of Newcastle-made gin from Earp Distilling Co. Tour the distillery, have a sip of the different styles in the Tasting Bar, and become a distiller for a day at a Gin School Class, before taking your favourite home with you. For a gift with Scandi style, Pappa Sven sells Nordic homewares, fashion, books and more.

Pappa Sven
33 Union St, Cooks Hill NSW 2300, Australia

Live the luxe life, if only for a weekend

If a long weekend is meant to refresh, you’re going to need a pretty special place to go to rest your head each night. With king-sized beds, 360-degree views and a multimillion-dollar fit out, Newcastle’s first five-star hotel, Crystalbrook Kingsley, is the place to do it. The brand new 130-room palace was designed with sustainability in mind, and features rooftop restaurant Roundhouse, serving distinctly modern Australian cuisine alongside a Hunter Valley-focused wine list.

Crystalbrook Kingsley
282 King St, Newcastle NSW 2300, Australia

Have Story To Share?

Blog with Trip.Social

Blog with Trip.Social

Reach new audiences and maximize your potential.

More from Trip.Social