Fly Direct to Newcastle Airport and Explore 5 Incredible Destinations! 

Fringed with spectacular coastline, rich with colonial and maritime history and buzzing with an ever-growing list of acclaimed new restaurants, cafés and cocktail bars, Newcastle is an essential port of call for the discerning traveller. With a freshly renovated airport and new direct flight routes, this vibrant working harbour also makes an ideal gateway to explore some of NSW’s most diverse regions, from the shifting sands of Port Stephens to aquatic adventures on the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie to wine tasting in the Hunter Valley. There’s always something new to discover in NSW — fly direct to Newcastle and choose your next adventure.

Newcastle | Coast, Culture and Coffee

Land in Newcastle and spend a few days delving into the many facets of this coastal city from the arts scene to legendary surf and world-class coffee. Get your bearings and fresh air with one of Newcastle’s beach trails that traverse the shore, winding past ocean baths and beachside eateries. Take a dip at Nobbys, Merewether or Newcastle Beach or enjoy ocean views from the grassy knoll on Bar Beach. Stay in contemporary digs in the heart of 'Newy’ and pop into the plentiful coffee houses, sleek restaurants, microbreweries and wine bars. Newcastle is an ideal city to explore on foot, from street art to heritage architecture and quirky boutiques, find hidden gems around every corner.

 

Port Stephens | Sea, Sand and Seafood

Just a 40-minute drive north from Newcastle, Port Stephens has a shoreline like no other. The rolling golden hills of the Worimi Conservation Lands offer magnificent sand dunes with endless activities: speed down on sand boards; learn about Aboriginal culture on a quad bike cultural tour; or experience the incredible moving landscape on horseback. The fun isn’t just on land, Port Stephens' sparkling blue bay is home to pods of friendly dolphins you can encounter on swim and boat tours, while pristine inlets are perfect for snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and fishing. Find premium seafood restaurants and luxurious resorts, or spend the night glamping in the gum trees at the new Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary.

 

Central Coast | Families, Farmers Markets and Fishing

The Central Coast has that easy holiday feel with outdoor adventures, quiet fishing spots and some of the state’s best beaches. About an hour south of Newcastle, it’s a place for sunset fish and chips on the wharf, paddling across calm waters and spotting kangaroos and pelicans. The natural beauty of the Central Coast is made for invigorating ventures. Get your adrenaline pumping with everything from quad bike treks, horse riding expeditions and ziplines whizzing over eucalypt forests. When it’s time to chill out, taste local produce at seaside markets, waterside restaurants and garden-set distilleries
 

Lake Macquarie | Snorkel, Surf and Sky-dive

Named after its main attraction — a 110-square-kilometre body of water and the largest saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere — Lake Macquarie thrills its visitors with a host of water sports and activities. Forty minutes south of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie is surrounded by lush mountains and national parks threaded with hiking and mountain bike trails, while its turquoise waters make the ultimate playground for surfing, snorkelling, diving, paddleboarding, fishing and boating. Get a bird’s-eye view of the natural beauty from up in the air, on a sky-dive, helicopter ride or acrobatic scenic flight.

The Hunter | Vintage, Verdant Hills and Verdelho

The elegant wines, acclaimed gourmet restaurants and boutique hotels dotted among flourishing vineyards make the Hunter Valley an iconic destination for discerning NSW locals and beyond. Enjoy paddock-to-plate restaurants, beautiful vineyards and olive groves, live music festivals, hot air balloon rides, horse riding and hiking in national parks. Accommodation options range from luxury resorts offering golfing and spa experiences to boutique accommodation, nature retreats and farm stays. The district is home to some of Australia’s most distinctive wines, most notably Hunter Valley semillon, and is also famous for producing outstanding shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, verdelho and chardonnay.