13 reasons to visit Newcastle in 2013
Now that we’ve passed
the halfway mark in 2013 it’s time to set your sights on Spring breaks and
Summer getaways. Whether you fancy a quick weekend recharge or a week-long
escape, here are 13 (and there are many more….) reasons NEWcastle should be
next on your destination hit list.
1.
Art & Culture
Newcastle’s creative and cultural scene is hot. A leisurely stroll
through the city’s funky East End reveals plenty of haunts that are home to
emerging artists, such as Curve
Gallery, Cooks Hill Galleries and The
Lock Up Cultural Centre; while the Newcastle Art Gallery boasts almost 5000 diverse works and a reputation for holding one of the
country’s finest regional collections. Immerse yourself in
the area’s indigenous heritage via the hands-on exhibits and interactive
demonstrations at the Miromaa
Aboriginal Language and Technology Centre. To see Newcastle’s
artistic flair in full swing, visit during the This is Not Art (TINA) festival
– Australia’s premier independent arts and music festival – held each year over
the October long weekend (3 to 6 October 2013).
2.
City Evolutions and Watts on Watt
Newcastle’s
latest free attraction - City
Evolutions – is a fabulous series of interactive multimedia
displays projected onto the iconic heritage buildings along fascinating Watt
St. Don’t forget to check out Watts on Watt
while you’re there - a 12-month jam-packed calendar of the events hitting the
street, from night markets and outdoor cinema screenings to free concerts,
street entertainment and more.
3.
Burgeoning food and wine scene
Hatted restaurants, waterfront dining, door-in-the-wall eateries,
chic cafes, cellar doors, and boutique breweries are all hallmarks of
Newcastle’s much celebrated culinary scene – which is fast cementing its
reputation as one of Australia’s
must-visit regional foodie destinations.
For quirky cafes, hit Darby
Street or Hunter Street Mall; enjoy
delectable and diverse cuisine along Beaumont Street, or sip a cocktail
in the afternoon sunshine at the Honeysuckle waterfront precinct. Why not sample Newcastle’s best tastes and
tipple in one spot during the Newcastle
three day Food & Wine Expo from
Friday 2 to Sunday 4 August at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
4.
Simply incredible sporting events
Escape
the city crowds – and traffic – and catch an end-of-season NRL game with
atmosphere on tap at Hunter Stadium. Newcastle’s beloved Knights
are facing off against the Roosters, Broncos, Sharks, Melbourne Storm, Cowboys
and Eels in coming weeks – take your pick! Soccer fans haven’t been forgotten
either with showdowns between the Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC, Perth
Glory and Wellington Phoenix whetting the appetite in Newy throughout October.
Seeking something out of the box and inspiring – check out the Special
Olympics 2013 Asia Pacific Games during
the first week in December.
5.
Live music
Whether
you’re into alternative, hip-hop, pop, dance, orchestral or even jazz,
Newcastle’s live music scene has you covered.
The
Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Newcastle City Hall
performances will pull at the heart strings of classical music lovers, while
jazz aficionados won’t want to leave the Dungeon Jazz
performance club , or the Newcastle Jazz Festival
(August 23 – 25). Pair fantastic food, quality wine and craft beer with top
notch cover bands and DJ sets at The
Landing Bar and Kitchen, King Street Hotel
or Bar Petite
(amongst others); or get your tickets for one of the absolute musts on Newy’s live
music calendar - Fat
as Butter – which for the first time this year
is planning a full camping event, so keep the weekend of October 26 free!
6.
Quirky boutiques
You
can’t go past Newcastle’s unique East End for chic boutique shopping.
Favourites along ultra cool Darby Street include indie boutique Honey
Bee and one-of-a-kind Abicus, where you’ll find everything from hip
gear for guys and girls to retro vinyl and CDs. Around the corner, Hunter
Street is home to Studio Melt, home of beautiful jewellery for any
occasion, and Make Space, a hub for handcrafted homewares, womenswear,
kids clothes and toys.
7.
Markets
Whether
you want to fill your basket with fresh local produce, original clothing,
artisan accessories, local arts and crafts or pre-loved bargains, one of
Newcastle’s many markets has you covered. For retro finds, try Adamstown
or Islington Flea markets, or for artisan wares and organic foods browse
through Olive Tree or the City Farmer’s and Craft markets. Why
not schedule a pre-Christmas shopfest at one of Newcastle’s specialist festive
season events such as the Summer Art Bazaar or
Olive Tree Christmas Market (December 7) to fill
your stockings with one-of-a-kind finds.
8.
Theatre and Entertainment
From
the stunning 1920’s decor of the Newcastle Civic Theatre
to the curtained stage and intimate ambience of renowned theatrical restaurant Lizottes,
catching a show in Newcastle is an experience not to be missed. Civic
Theatre performances fast approaching include the Sydney Comedy Festival
Showcase (15 August), Phantom of the Opera (30 August – 7 September)
and the Russian Ballet (October 1); while lively Lizottes plays host to
country superstar Troy Cassar Daley, pop sensation Toni Childs
and rocker Diesel, among others.
9.
Historic hot spots
As
Australia’s second oldest city, it’s little surprise Newcastle has many a
historic hot spot waiting to be explored. Take a tunnel tour at Fort Scratchley, the only Australian
Fort to have ever fired at an enemy ship in time of war (with panoramic ocean
views to boot); get the inside story on the region’s iconic steel and coal
trades at the engaging Newcastle
Museum – which is celebrating its 2nd birthday
this year, or delve into stories of wrecks and rescues at the Newcastle Maritime
Centre.
10.
Outdoor activities
Whether
you’re a walker, biker, nature lover or hiker, a surfer, skater, sporto or
adventure seeker, Newcastle’s spectrum of outdoor activities will keep you
going from dawn until dusk, seven days a week. If you prefer a casual pace,
absorb the city’s sights and stories on a Newcastle Walking Tour,
or cycle along the city’s magnificent coastline. For an out of the ordinary view, join a
Segway tour of the Hunter Wetlands
Centre, or take to the woods after dark on a spotlight
tour of the Blackbutt
Nature Reserve. Marvel at
nature’s largess on a whale watching cruise, swing through the trees on
a flying fox at Treetop
Adventure Park or take your inner adrenaline-junkie
for a sand dune spin at Stockton on a quad bike. Tired yet?
11.
Beautiful beaches
From
the shores of spectacular Stockton Beach to the much-loved year-round safe
swimming beach at Nobbys, to the wave chasers’ favourite Bar Beach and
Merewether, Newcastle’s many miles of pristine sandy beaches have something for
everyone - from sun worshippers to surfers to sandcastle builders, and everyone
in between.
12.
Relaxation and respite
Relax
and revive with a treatment (or many) or retreat at one of Newcastle’s
alternative health and fitness centres or sumptuous day spas. Combine the best
of both worlds at Yoga
Loft, which offers a full schedule of yoga classes,
plus spa treatments, all with the added benefit of incredible ocean views - or
to check out the full menu of options to recharge and get in touch with your
inner self, visit during Newcastle’s
Health Harmony Soul Festival (August 2 – 4) at
Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
13.
Easy accessibility
Located
just off the F3 motorway, Newcastle is incredibly easy to visit, whether by
car, bus (via Greyhound
Buses), train (via New South Wails City
Rail and CountryLink) or plane, with Newcastle Airport
offering regular services between all Eastern major metro hubs, including
Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Gold Coast, Ballina and Brisbane.
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