Newcastle is a day trip destination or the perfect spot to stop of on your drive further north. We visit the city regularly as David’s band get gigs in the pubs and venues around the city quite often.
Getting there
We drive from Sydney to Newcastle on the freeway but you can also catch a train or bus. By car it takes us around two hours.
The Road Trip
Newcastle isn’t too far from Sydney so we don’t always make a stop because it’s such an easy, direct drive. But if we do, this is where you’ll find us.
The twin servos as their known locally are a set of garages on either side of the freeway. Here you’ll find a petrol station (one of the first to sell the famous frozen Oak chocolate milk), a McDonalds and Oliver’s Real Food as well as a truck stop café. We pull in here if the traffic has been bad and we need to stretch our legs or we need a toilet break.
Sometimes we make a road trip of the drive and stop at the Central Coast where we visit Umina Beach, Ocean Beach, Ettalong, Gosford or Erina Fair. There are a couple of breweries in Erina that make for great lunch stops too.
Attractions
Locals and frequent visitors will tell you there’s not much to see and do in Newcastle, but they’re just not exploring it right. Despite their lock out laws (which are now just as tough in Sydney), there are still plenty of live music venues in operation.
If you’re looking for restaurants, bars and pubs, head to Honeysuckle. Located along Hunter River, it’s a beautiful spot to take in the sunset.
Nobby’s Beach is the city’s most popular and a great stretch of sand to stroll along, especially at sunset. The beach features Nobby’s lighthouse on one end and the 19th century fort and museum Fort Scratchley on the other.
Wander the streets of the city and you’ll come across markers of the community which include free pianos and community libraries. Pick up a book and head to King Edward Park, a cliff-side reserve in the heart of the city. Located in the park is the Obelisk and Bogey Hole, a heritage-listed sea bath.
The culinary scene is a growing movement across the city with doughnut shops and brewery pubs making popular spots for locals and visitors alike.
What do you like most about Newcastle? Let me know in the comments blow!
Ash
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