As Australia’s second oldest city, Newcastle is rich with history and culture. Here, convict-built sandstone buildings blend seamlessly with modern architecture and hippie-styled boutiques. The city’s stunning coastline is dotted with beautiful, family-friendly beaches – with a diverse range of trendy waterfront cafes and eateries – and local hangouts like the Bogey Hole and the Art Deco Ocean Baths are just waiting to be explored.
Newcastle’s ever-changing and always exciting events calendar promises everything from concerts to motor racing and Surfest, the biggest surfing festival in Australia. Or if it’s a quiet weekend retreat you’re after, the weekly farmers market or monthly Olive Tree Market provide the perfect excuse for a visit.
Just a two-hour drive north of Sydney, you’re sure to find something for everyone in Newcastle – whether it’s shopping, food or just fun in the sun!
Main image: Blacksmiths beach © Paul Foley, Lake Macquarie Tourism