26 Mar What to do in Newcastle?
Newcastle, NSW, is a coastal city packed with history, culture and natural beauty. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or you live here, there’s plenty to fill a long weekend. Here are our favourites, starting with the best way to get your bearings.
1. Discover Newcastle with Newy Tour Co.
The easiest way to get a feel for Newcastle is on a guided tour. Our Discover Newcastle Tour covers the city’s history, the convict and industrial heritage, the iconic landmarks and the coastline, with stops you’d miss on your own. Local guides share the stories behind the places and pass on recommendations for where to eat, drink and explore once the tour wraps up.
It suits first time visitors, locals showing friends around, photography enthusiasts and anyone who wants context for the city before exploring on foot.
2. Blackbutt Reserve: kangaroos and emus, free
Blackbutt Reserve in New Lambton is a free council run wildlife park with kangaroos, emus, koalas, wombats and reptiles. The walking trails through the bush are well marked and there are picnic areas if you want to make a half day of it. Educational talks and feeding sessions run on a published schedule and are great for kids.
3. Merewether Ocean Baths
A trip to Newcastle isn’t complete without a swim at the Merewether Ocean Baths, one of the largest ocean bath complexes in the southern hemisphere. The baths are sheltered enough for casual swimmers and big enough for serious laps, and the sunrise and sunset light is hard to beat. Free to use, open year round.
4. Merewether Surfhouse
Right above the baths, Merewether Surfhouse is the obvious post swim stop. Brunch downstairs, pizza and cocktails on the rooftop, and uninterrupted ocean views from both. Good for a casual lunch or a sunset drink.
5. Newcastle Museum: free entry
The Newcastle Museum in Honeysuckle is free to enter and worth an hour or two. Permanent exhibits cover the city’s industrial history, the steelworks and the working harbour, with hands on science exhibits that work well for kids. Special exhibitions rotate regularly.
Plan your day in Newcastle
Start with the Discover Newcastle Tour in the morning, then add a wildlife stop at Blackbutt or a swim and lunch at Merewether in the afternoon. If you’ve got more than a day, our Hunter Valley wine tour and Port Stephens day tour both depart from Newcastle.
Ready to book? See all our tours or get in touch for a private charter.