Things to do in Newcastle, Australia

The East Coast of Australia is an absolute beauty, making it very popular with both international and local tourists. Located just north of Sydney on Australia’s East Coast is the vibrant cosmopolitan city of Newcastle. With a buzzing cafe scene, great beaches and cute boutiques, Newcastle has plenty to offer and it’s definitely worth the visit.

1| Take a Ride on the Newcastle Tram

Take a step back in time and jump on the Newcastle’s famous tram. It might not sound like much but getting to explore the city of Newcastle in a historic tram is actually a great way to see the Newcastle area in style. I would recommend doing this in your first few days in Newcastle as the tram driver will be able to point out to you interesting and historically rich places in the area. This way you’ll know which places you want to visit in the following days in Newcastle. Click here for more information on the Newcastle Tram.

2| Grab a Coffee on Darby Street

If you consider yourself a coffee snob or you simply enjoy a good coffee ensure you visit Darby Street, located right in the middle of the CBD. This particular area of Newcastle is filled with eccentric cafes, boutique shops and fine dining. Walk along the street, pick somewhere that interests you and aim for a seat outside. This way you can sip your coffee while watching the people of Newcastle stroll past.  You will also find nice places to brunch on Darby Street. Some of the good places for breakfast are Three Monkeys and Goldbergs.

3| Visit the Bogey Hole

Cool off and take a dip at Newcastle’s Bogey Hole, which was constructed by convicts in 1820 by order of Commandant Morisset. Originally named the ‘Commandant Baths’, the baths were renamed later to encompass the indigenous heritage of the area. During the summer season, this spot is extremely popular with many locals; they come here to avoid the crowded sandy beaches. It is also a great place to get that perfect Instagram shot, as well as capture the outstanding jagged coastline.

4| Have Lunch at Merewether Surfhouse

If you are after a delicious meal and an even better view, look no further than Merewether Surfhouse. Call the restaurant ahead of time and book yourself a seat by the window so that you can enjoy the 270 degree uninterrupted coastal views of the stunning Merewether Beach. Grab a drink, order some of the fantastic fresh seafood and wind down.This is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in Newcastle.

5| Visit Hunter Valley for Wineries

Just forty minutes from Newcastle, the Hunter Valley is home to more than 150 wineries, making it one of Australia’s most famous wine growing regions. Head out there for a day trip or perhaps stay the night to enjoy great wine and dinner. If you’re struggling to choose which winery to visit you might want to take a  wine tour. This is a really fun and informative way to see and know about the area while tasting world class wine. Some tours will provide lunch or gourmet tastings. Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Tours offer half and full day tours with many different options to customize the perfect tour for you. In addition to wine tasting, Hunter Valley also offers fine dining, chocolate tasting, gourmet cheese tasting and many family fun activities like aqua golf and hot air ballooning. For more information on Hunter Valley click here.

Find more information on Newcastle here.  

About the author: Olivia is an American adventurous traveler who has slowly made her way to the beautiful Australia visiting one state at a time. She loves sharing all the gems that she discovers with the world so they can enjoy them as well. Visit her blog, Great Lost.