Newcastle Holiday Houses & Accommodation

The historic port of Newcastle is a couple of hours from Sydney and is a popular Australian holiday destination thanks to its wealth of attractions and year-round pleasant weather. From luxurious family holiday houses to romantic beach shacks, Newcastle offers accommodation to suit every taste for a comfortable holiday experience.

Getting to Your Newcastle Accommodation

If you're thinking about flying into Newcastle, there are regular flights from various cities like Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne to Newcastle Airport, located a short drive from the city centre. Taxi and shuttle service is also available to get you to your holiday house.

Alternatively, take the train from Sydney to the Newcastle Interchange station. The Newcastle Light Rail connects Newcastle Interchange station with the CBD and beach areas. Regular long-distance Greyhound Australia coaches serve the Coach Interchange, where local buses connect to points all around the city.

Having a car can give you the most flexibility. Newcastle is connected to Sydney via the Pacific Highway, and to the west on the Hunter Expressway and New England Highway. The city offers both public and private parking facilities. You can also hire a car from the airport or in the city centre.

Newcastle: the birthplace of famous artists

With more artists per capita than any other Australian city, the thriving arts scene of the city is a must-see. Newcastle gave birth to several popular artists like painter and sculptor William Dobell, the singer Catherine Britt and choreographer Dein Perry. Book accommodation in Newcastle’s city centre to be closest to some of the best theatres and art galleries.

Victorian terrace houses populate the city’s inner suburbs and Newcastle's public spaces charm visitors with intriguing sculptures such as the James Cook Memorial Fountain in Civic Park. Constance the Camel, a statue which resides in front of the Newcastle Museum, is equally eye-catching.

The prime attraction for art lovers is the Cooks Hill Gallery, which is home to the second-largest collection in New South Wales with over 6,100 works of art. Free entrance every day as well as free guided tours at weekends make it popular with locals and visitors alike. Take a short stroll from the gallery to the Civic Theatre, one of the most renowned venues in the region for live concerts, comedy and theatre.

Dating from 1929, Newcastle City Hall is an equally impressive example of architecture. A grand entrance leads to the concert hall whose interiors are dressed in murals painted by the famous painters John Montefiore and John Olsen. Completed in 1877, the customs house is another important historical building which stands right across the street from the iconic Victorian Newcastle Railway Station.

Family Holidays in Newcastle

There's plenty of fun not far from your accommodation in Newcastle. The Bathers Way walkway runs along a scenic coastline connecting the city’s eight beaches. Merewether is the most popular beach for its silky white sand, but all the beaches are spectacular spots to surf and swim. Ride bikes along the walkway or enjoy the sweeping coastal views.

On most Sundays, you can check out the Newcastle City Farmers Markets. Lively music plays in the background as shoppers mingle amongst the stalls offering local produce, gifts, and art. Or head to the wharf and take a fun ride on the Stockton ferry across the Hunter River.

Blackbutt Reserve, about 6km from the city centre, hosts a variety of native species such as koalas and wombats. Take your family for a day of adventure at this expansive park with nature trails and a picnic area. Ziplining at TreeTops Newcastle makes for another fun family fun day out. This ecotourism attraction also features suspension bridges, twisting ladders, and cargo nets.

A night out in Newcastle is an affair to remember

Stylish nightclubs, themed restaurants and atmospheric wine bars are great places to enjoy craft beer and fine dining and to sample Newcastle's relaxed and unpretentious nightlife. The historical east end of the city bustles with craft beer bars by the beach, which are particularly bust at weekends.

A ten-minute walk west leads to the CBD, the city’s fine dining spot. After a hearty dinner take a walk down Watt Street, the story of which is narrated by colourful digital-art projections on the church and the historic buildings. Linger over a glass of wine at one of the upmarket lounges at Honeysuckle Harbour Foreshore and watch the freight ships ply their way.

A beach haven with many more attractions

Beachfront holiday houses in Newcastle are popular with holidaymakers in search of sea breezes and mesmerizing views of Nobby's Lighthouse. Leading to Burwood Beach and Glenrock Reserve, Newcastle’s Bathers Way is a scenic three-mile stroll from Nobbys. While the Glenrock Reserve offers the perfect coastal wilderness ambiance, Burwood Beach is an open-air history museum exploring the area's convict heritage.

Newcastle has no fewer than eight beaches. You can surf on any of them but Merewether remains a hot favourite thanks to its spectacular waves. Take a trip aboard Newcastle's Famous Tram. It is a replica of a historical tram taking passengers on a 45 minute tour of the city’s major attractions, convict heritage sites and historic fort.

Newcastle is also the gateway to the picturesque Hunter Valley which is known for its farms and vineyards. About an hour’s drive from Newcastle, Hunter Valley is the perfect weekend escape with unspoiled bushland, heritage sights, national parks and gourmet food. On weekends, you can reach the valley by the tram.

Events to check out during your Newcastle holiday

Beachfront holiday houses in Newcastle are in demand in February when the southern hemisphere’s largest surf festival kicks off in Merewether. More than 700 national and international surfers from over two dozen countries compete in Surfest Newcastle.

Visit in March to enjoy the Newcastle Fringe festival which celebrates the city’s rich cultural heritage. This five-day festival showcases a pot pourri of performing arts from all over the world with entertainment catering to different interests and age-groups including circus, children’s theatre, dance, music, comedy and cabaret.

Visitors to the city in August are in for a treat as this is when the Newcastle Music Festival takes place. The eighteen day festival takes place in several venues and celebrates the city's diverse music scene. Showcasing professional musicians as well as amateurs and students, the festival offers an exciting mix of concerts and performances.

Frequently Asked Questions