NewcastleTravel Guide

Travel to Newcastle

Newcastle is a popular holiday destination for local and international travellers, many of whom fall in love with the beauty of the city, the stunning beaches and the fantastic nightlife. Newcastle was founded in 1801 as a penal colony to mine coal, but was abandoned a year later. In 1804, Lieutenant Charles Menzies re-established the settlement and named it Newcastle.

Transportation to Newcastle

Getting to Newcastle is very easy, as there are several options available including by air, road and rail. Newcastle Airport handles several daily domestic flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra. It takes about 30 minutes to drive to the city from the airport. The nearest international airport is at Sydney.

It is possible to drive to Newcastle by using a combination of motorways, highways and roads, but the distances can be quite long. From Sydney, take the F3 freeway and follow the clearly marked signs, which will lead you right into Newcastle city. From Brisbane, use the New England Highway. Other major highways that lead to Newcastle are the Golden Highway and the coastal Pacific Highway.

Several bus companies and train services commute daily between all cities to Newcastle.

What to see

Newcastle’s history dates back more than 200 years, when prisoners were brought to the area to mine the rich coal fields. Prior to this, several aboriginal tribes resided in the rich lands of the region, feeding off the bush and the wildlife.

This has left a mark on the heritage of Newcastle and is reflected in many interesting sites including the station master’s house (1858), the old Police Station, Courthouse Column and the Coal Mining Monument, which takes visitors back to the days of the penal colony settlement.

Museums, a fort and stunning beaches are the other main attractions at Newcastle.

Daytrips

The vibrant, exciting city of Sydney is only about 80 miles away. Here, visitors can revel in the art and culture of the city by visiting museums, art galleries, the magnificent Sydney Opera House, beautifully landscaped gardens and old buildings with fantastic architectural styles. The nightlife at Sydney is also buzzing and vibrant, and there are many places to visit where you can enjoy live bands, dancing and party the night away.

Activities and leisure

Visitors to Newcastle are spoilt for choice when it comes to activities, as there is a multitude to choose from including mountain biking, bushwalking, camping, golfing, seasonal fruit picking, hot air ballooning, horseback riding and many more activities.

Being a seaside town, there are also numerous water-based activities to choose from including canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, motorised paragliding and scuba diving and snorkelling. Taking a boat out to visit the local dolphins is a favourite with holidaymakers. Walking is a popular activity and there are several trails through beautiful gardens and rainforests.

Safety issues

It is almost impossible to find a tourist destination throughout the world that does not attract some form of petty crime. Newcastle is no exception, and there have been some incidents of pick-pocketing and bag-snatching. However, in general, the city is very safe for tourists. All travellers are reminded to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy that will enable them to enjoy their holiday with peace of mind.