The 10 Best things to do in Newcastle, Australia – from my local bestie! When I was 16 my best friend Laura moved to Newcastle…. I was living in Sydney which was just a little over 2 hours away by car and I was devastated. (Pic of us together below from 2007).

But as soon as I got my license I spent countless weekends at her place, walking distance to the beach. It was magical. We became closer than ever, and shared some great adventures in Newcastle.

We explored a lot of places, and found our favorite local spots. Had A LOT of fish and chips by the beach…bliss.

She moved almost 20 years ago, and even though I have lived overseas for almost half of that time, I can say that it is still one of my favorite places. Maybe because of all the memories, but also because it is so breathtakingly beautiful.

I called her the other day to get her to brainstorm with me about where we would always go, and to map out a list of essential places that we would recommend to people when visiting!

It is the place to visit for shopping, food, beaches and Australian culture! Plan your next weekend trip, or stay a bit longer, there’s so much to see and do. Read on to find out what we believe are the 10 Best things to do in Newcastle.

***This post may contain affiliate links, but only to products I genuinely love. It won’t cost you anything extra. You can read the full disclosure here.***

Consider this the besties guide to visiting Newcastle!

1. Newcastle Memorial Walk

The Newcastle Memorial walk is a coastal walk and was opened to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the ANZAC landing in Gallipoli. This walk is almost like no other anywhere else in the world. The Australian coast line is gorgeous and I have seen whales many times. It’s also a great distance, and consists of two sections. 

The first section starts at Strzelecki at Strezelecki Lookout and it consists of a 160 meter long bridge leading to another viewing platform. 

The second section is a stairway connecting the memorial walk to Bathers Way. This is a 6km coastal walk from Nobbys Beach down to Merewether Beach. It also has lights that illuminate the path at night, so you can walk on it 24/7. 

2. The Bogey hole

I know it has a funny name haha but it is a must see! It is actually believed to be the first purpose-built ocean swimming pool in Australia.

Trust me you just have to go. It is a fun place to take photos and just bask in the sun and the unique beauty of this pool. The Bogey hole definitely makes it into the top 10 best things to do in Newcastle!

3. The BEST Cafe’s (recommended by coffee snob besties)

A list of the 10 Best things to do in Newcastle had to add a list of Cafe’s with good coffee. Laura and I love to go out for coffee atleast a few times when we’re together. It’s also no secret that Aussie’s love their coffee, and they’re renowned in the World to be some of the best there are! Some even plan their holidays around coffee (true story…and maybe a little guilty myself). 

Newcastle was once known for having a pub on every corner, but today you’re just as likely to find a great cafe!  

Great cafe culture AND Beach culture?! That’s a win win for me! Laura and I have spend many hours exploring, and rating our favourite coffee spots. Here are our fave’s:

Local Customs

Shaun and Dan are twin brothers, who opened a cafe called Local Customs. It has very cool vibes, encourages social gatherings and good food and most importantly good coffee! They are situated at: 513 Glebe rd, Adamstown, New South Wales, Australia.

Common Circus

This one is a special cafe because it is Laura’s favourite. They make divine coffee, and are also a lifestyle store and they have a cool studio space to hire on the floor above. They are situated at: Dixon St cul-de-sac, Hamilton, New South Wales, Australia.

Good One

Good One is owned by 2 brothers. They started off by selling their signature coffee beans and became so successful that they opened their own cafe. Their vibe is very coastal and chill, a great place to hang out with a friend. They are situated at: 36 Brooks Parade, Belmont New South Wales, Australia.

Those are our favourites, but that doesn’t mean they are the only ones we would recommend. Newcastle literally has good cafe’s around every corner. Here are a few others we know you will love:

• Bolton Street Pantry
• Good Brother
• Moor Newcastle East
• New Slang
• Press House
• Dark Horse Espresso
• Clyde Street Cafe
• Praise Joe
• Ground Up
• Little Lane Espresso

4. Merewether Baths

The Merewether Baths are very cool and stunning to just look at. They were opened in 1935 and they are the largest ocean baths in the Southern Hemisphere. They are very popular so they can get quite busy, but they are free to access and enjoy on a hot summer’s day.

So if you don’t feel like putting up with sand or waves, the Merewether Baths are perfect for you!

There are also great ice cream and coffee shops along the coast line, so you can spend hours here! I love it there!

5. Merewether Surfhouse

Merewether Surfhouse is where we have gone to eat many times. If anyone wants a recommendation of where to eat in Newcastle, this is hands down the first place I suggest. The views are incredible, and it is a beach front cafe, bar and restaurant. 

So if you’re feeling like a coffee and cake while looking out at the stunning ocean views they have you covered!

Or if you feel like some drinks and appetizers while looking out at the stunning ocean views they have you covered!

Or if you feel like a family friendly restaurant experience, they have you covered too!

6. Hunter Street – for Pubs, Bars and Restaurants

Hunter street is a go-to destination for a night on the town. With their pubs, bars and restaurants, you’ll find somewhere that you can land for a few hours, or bounce to a few different ones. The vibe is always alive and fun and everyone is usually super friendly and up for a great time. This is definitely one of the 10 Best things to do in Newcastle!

7. Darby Street – for Coffee, Brunch and Boutique Stores

Darby Street is one of my favorite places to go when I am visiting Newcastle. They have very high quality cafes and Boutique stores. If you want to spend a few hours out in town this is where I would recommend. There are quite a few cute stores but I would recommend checking out; ‘The Olive Tree Market’.

Some of the Cafes on Darby street stay open late into the night so this is still a place to check out at night, with some restaurants and bands playing.

The photo above will take you to an instagram page that is dedicated to Darby street and sharing everything that is happening there! It’s perfect to find out what shops, cafe’s and restaurants are available. You can also find out in real time what entertainment/bands are going to be playing etc.

8. Newcastle Harbour Lunch Cruise

For anyone who loves the Ocean, but also wants to enjoy a peaceful lunch indoors with spectacular coastal views, I suggest the Newcastle Harbour Lunch Cruise. 

This is something a little different, where you have full views of the vast ocean, and the stunning coastline. 

Lunch is provided and is just a lovely, relaxing way to spend a few hours on the sea!

9. Flotilla – Top Restaurant showcasing Australian produce with Artistic flair

This Restaurant is iconic. If you have more time, and you’re a foodie, I would recommend Flotilla. What I love about them is they look at the seasons and to the local growers and producers when designing their menus. So their approach is hyper-seasonal as they change their menu every 6 weeks, keeping it fresh and interesting! 

They were also the first hatted restaurant in Newcastle (they were awarded the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide Hat). Highly recommended for those who want to experience local, fresh Australian food with an Artistic and high quality flair. 

10. Whale Watching

If you wait long enough, or are there at the right moment you will see Whales from the shore of Newcastle. However, it’s not always guaranteed that they will come close enough to shore, and even if they do, you will only see them from a distance. It is still fun to see them, a few times I’ve seen them jump out of the water, and it’s just magical to see these huge creatures that you don’t often see just enjoying life.

However, if you want to get closer there are Whale watching experiences available.

For example, Adrenaline has a 2.5 hour Whale watching cruise. 

The Captain offers informative commentary, while also knowing the Whales migration paths, to get the boat as close as possible. Many times they have also seen Dolphins, Seals, Penguins, Sharks and other wildlife. 

Morning Tea is provided and a licensed bar is also available if you would like to purchase additional snacks or drinks. This is a very cool outing and made it to our list of the 10 Best things to do in Newcastle!

There ya have it – a local bestie’s guide to the 10 Best things to do in Newcastle! This city is so, so special to me. I am honoured to share it with you. If you ever find yourself planning a trip to Newcastle, I hope this list helps you get inspired! Enjoy! 🙂

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