Katie’s guidebook
Sightseeing
A 3km flat return walk from Nobby's beach to the headland. Nobbys Breakwall is located along a 20 minute walking trail from Nobby's beach to Nobby's Lighthouse. The Breakwall extends past the Lighthouse and provides spectacular views back onto the city and beaches. You can watch the ships come and go from the harbour and grab a coffee or cold drink from the kiosk on Sundays at the Lighthouse. From Nobbys Beach carpark the lighthouse is a 10 min walk to the gate and from there a 220m up-hill walk to the Signal Master's Cottage. The lighthouse is only open on Saturdays and Sundays between 8am-4pm. Carpark located at Nobbys beach.
84 locals recommend
Nobbys Lighthouse
A 3km flat return walk from Nobby's beach to the headland. Nobbys Breakwall is located along a 20 minute walking trail from Nobby's beach to Nobby's Lighthouse. The Breakwall extends past the Lighthouse and provides spectacular views back onto the city and beaches. You can watch the ships come and go from the harbour and grab a coffee or cold drink from the kiosk on Sundays at the Lighthouse. From Nobbys Beach carpark the lighthouse is a 10 min walk to the gate and from there a 220m up-hill walk to the Signal Master's Cottage. The lighthouse is only open on Saturdays and Sundays between 8am-4pm. Carpark located at Nobbys beach.
A 450m elevated flat clifftop walkway that offers 360 views of the coast. It is located above Memorial Drive The Hill, on Strezlecki Headland (between Bar Beach and King Edward Park). The structure cost $4.5m to build and features a 160 metre cliff top bridge adorned with steel silhouettes of soldiers inscribed with close to 4,000 family names of almost 11,000 known Hunter Valley men and women who enlisted during World War I. The no steps carpark is located at 28 Memorial Dr, The Hill or with steps use Bar Beach Carpark.
9 locals recommend
Strzelecki Scenic Lookout
28 Memorial DrA 450m elevated flat clifftop walkway that offers 360 views of the coast. It is located above Memorial Drive The Hill, on Strezlecki Headland (between Bar Beach and King Edward Park). The structure cost $4.5m to build and features a 160 metre cliff top bridge adorned with steel silhouettes of soldiers inscribed with close to 4,000 family names of almost 11,000 known Hunter Valley men and women who enlisted during World War I. The no steps carpark is located at 28 Memorial Dr, The Hill or with steps use Bar Beach Carpark.
Address of carpark; 14 Hickson St, Merewether NSW 2291
A popular spot for weddings and sunset picnics and a launch pad for gliding-sports. Feel on top of the world and if you are feeling like a workout trek down the relatively new staircase that leads you directly to the beach in less 5mins however coming back up is step.
6 locals recommend
Hickson Street Lookout
14 Hickson StAddress of carpark; 14 Hickson St, Merewether NSW 2291
A popular spot for weddings and sunset picnics and a launch pad for gliding-sports. Feel on top of the world and if you are feeling like a workout trek down the relatively new staircase that leads you directly to the beach in less 5mins however coming back up is step.
Just an hour from Sydney’s CBD and 1hr 20mins drive from Newcastle and connected by both train and freeway, the historic Hawkesbury River mailboat at Brooklyn is the perfect day trip for locals and visitors. A two hour train trip from Adamstown or Broadmeadow stations. Train station is called Hawkesbury River.
departs weekdays 10am and returns 1pm. Lunch included.
13 locals recommend
The Riverboat Postman
Dangar RoadJust an hour from Sydney’s CBD and 1hr 20mins drive from Newcastle and connected by both train and freeway, the historic Hawkesbury River mailboat at Brooklyn is the perfect day trip for locals and visitors. A two hour train trip from Adamstown or Broadmeadow stations. Train station is called Hawkesbury River.
departs weekdays 10am and returns 1pm. Lunch included.
Newcastle's Famous Tram
150 Wharf RdFort Scratchley, a former coastal defence installation, is now a museum. It is located in Newcastle East, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales in Australia. It was built in 1882 to defend the city against a possible Russian attack.
103 locals recommend
Fort Scratchley
3 Nobbys RdFort Scratchley, a former coastal defence installation, is now a museum. It is located in Newcastle East, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales in Australia. It was built in 1882 to defend the city against a possible Russian attack.
Kids
Nature preserve featuring native wildlife, plus a playground, picnic shelters, kiosk & BBQ grills. Great for kids. Widlife includes koalas, wombats, native birds, emus, kangaroos and peacocks.There are a range of feeding and reptile shows as well as 7 different bushwalks from 05kms -2kms long. Parking at Carnley Ave, Kotara NSW 2289
147 locals recommend
Blackbutt Reserve Entrance
72 Carnley AveNature preserve featuring native wildlife, plus a playground, picnic shelters, kiosk & BBQ grills. Great for kids. Widlife includes koalas, wombats, native birds, emus, kangaroos and peacocks.There are a range of feeding and reptile shows as well as 7 different bushwalks from 05kms -2kms long. Parking at Carnley Ave, Kotara NSW 2289
Richley Reserve
Freyberg StreetHoneysuckle Park
The Station
Watt StreetIrukandji Shark & Ray Encounters
2 Jessie RdGo Karts Go Broadmeadow
Griffiths RoadHunter Ice Skating Stadium
230 Macquarie RdTreeTops Newcastle
Treetops RoadRevolution Sports Park
55 The AvenueLaneway Park
4 Moira Street15min walk from the airbnb. Off road, quiet and fenced in playground and park.
Bushwalks
5kms return, medium fitness. Yuelarbah walking track is a great day walk within Glenrock State Conservation Area. It features a lookout with scenic views, waterfalls and places to picnic. Commencing at the wheelchair accessible raised boardwalk, the scenic track leads you along Flaggy Creek, through wet gullies and coastal rainforest, and you'll pass two waterfalls before finishing at Glenrock Beach. About halfway along you’ll find Leichhardt’s lookout which offers excellent views over Glenrock Lagoon. Parking is available at Yuelarbah carpark on Burwood Road, Kahibah.
Yuelarbah walking track
5kms return, medium fitness. Yuelarbah walking track is a great day walk within Glenrock State Conservation Area. It features a lookout with scenic views, waterfalls and places to picnic. Commencing at the wheelchair accessible raised boardwalk, the scenic track leads you along Flaggy Creek, through wet gullies and coastal rainforest, and you'll pass two waterfalls before finishing at Glenrock Beach. About halfway along you’ll find Leichhardt’s lookout which offers excellent views over Glenrock Lagoon. Parking is available at Yuelarbah carpark on Burwood Road, Kahibah.
1.5km trail return. This trail begins on Scout Camp Road Kahibah above the scout camp at Glenrock National Park. You'll see the track entry opposite the water tank. This track ends at Glenrock Beach and can be returned via Yuelarbah walking track at the western end of the track or the Leggy Point loop walking track at the eastern end, which also links to Glenrock Beach. Parking is available at Leggy Point loop carpark, Kahibah.
Burwood trail
1.5km trail return. This trail begins on Scout Camp Road Kahibah above the scout camp at Glenrock National Park. You'll see the track entry opposite the water tank. This track ends at Glenrock Beach and can be returned via Yuelarbah walking track at the western end of the track or the Leggy Point loop walking track at the eastern end, which also links to Glenrock Beach. Parking is available at Leggy Point loop carpark, Kahibah.
Glenrock State Conservation Area
Yuelarbah TrackCycling/walking
17kms from Adamstown to Belmont. Starting at Adamstown station, this is a shared pathway along the route of a former rail line between Adamstown and Belmont. The paved, 15km gently graded track takes in coastal, wetland and bushland environments and is suitable for people of all fitness levels. It passes through the suburbs of Kotara, Kahiba, Whitebridge, Redhead and Jewells before terminating near Belmont TAFE. Popular for bike riding as it is flat and off road. A flat 45mins one way cycle from Adamstown to stunning Red Head Beach and Kiosk.
57 locals recommend
Fernleigh Track
Bailey Street17kms from Adamstown to Belmont. Starting at Adamstown station, this is a shared pathway along the route of a former rail line between Adamstown and Belmont. The paved, 15km gently graded track takes in coastal, wetland and bushland environments and is suitable for people of all fitness levels. It passes through the suburbs of Kotara, Kahiba, Whitebridge, Redhead and Jewells before terminating near Belmont TAFE. Popular for bike riding as it is flat and off road. A flat 45mins one way cycle from Adamstown to stunning Red Head Beach and Kiosk.
Whale watching cruises
CoastXP
Honeysuckle Drive2hr Whale watching tours departing from Honeysuckle.
NOVA Cruises
5 Honeysuckle DriveNewcastle Whale Watching Cruises
Entertainment/Theatre
Newcastle Civic Park
King StreetEvent Cinemas Kotara
Park AvenueHOYTS Charlestown
244 Pacific HwyLizotte's Restaurant
31 Morehead StBusy Iive music scene and restaurant .
Newcastle Comedy Club
1a Darby StreetHunter Valley Wineries
Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association
455 Broke Rd