The Insider Guide to a Weekend in Newcastle
Image Credit: laurenjaneimages
The Insider Guide to a Weekend in Newcastle
POV: You and your gal pals live in Sydney and don’t want to spend more than 2 hours in the car to reach your weekend getaway.
Where do you go? You head north on the pacific highway to reach the next largest coastal city outside of inner and outer Sydney! A weekend in Newcastle is the perfect combination for getting that refresh you so well need, a smaller representation of Sydney’s Northern Beaches with its beach side kiosks, surf-clubs and bars, all whilst being a stones throw from home (when you’re heading back on a Sunday and refuse to sit in traffic!)
Friday:
So, naturally, you leave first thing after you’ve closed your laptop for the day, cause why not! you’ll get there by dinner time - and that means you get to wake up in your getaway abode on Saturday morning. We’re all about getting that extra time!
WHERE TO STAY: Depending on where you’re wanting to stay, we have our three Newcastle packages where you can reside at the elegant Kingsley Hotel or the contemporary Quest hotels. These hotel choices do not disappoint, and situate you right in the middle of everything and its close to the harbour, and Nobby’s and Newcastle Beach!
EAT: For your first nights stay in Newcastle, we’ve handpicked an intimate dining space in the very heart of Newcastle East, that dips into the Novocastrian history, whilst raising a glass to it’s European threads. The land was previously known as the stonemason’s yard, ‘Lock’s Paddock’, hence the name of the now, bar and restaurant outlooking onto Watts street. From antique looking interior, to folk and country-western music being played throughout your dining experience, the Italian/Spanish restaurant & bar focuses on charcuterie, pork, gnocchi, smoked cheeses and everything in between! They even have an extensive wine list to pair with the foods on your dinner menu. There is two signature dishes which are a MUST TRY, and these are the Cacio e Pepe, served in a big cheese wheel, and our Carbonara.
Image Credit : lockspaddock.com.au
Image Credit: Undertow Snaps
Saturday:
Rise and Shine, the glorious beaches are harbour-side cafes of Newcastle are waiting for you! One interesting thing about Newcastle is that all of their beaches have a ‘Kiosk’ at their surfhouses where they serve takeaway coffee, breakfast and some lunch items from Nobby’s beach to Merewether beach. You could even mix it in with the must-do Newcastle coastal stroll and have your coffee at the banks of your choice of beach with the surf right in-front of you. Some say the Newy coastal beach walk with a coffee in hand is a rite of passage! ;) Signal Box on wharf road is also a nice spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner nestled between the harbour and the tram lines in Newcastle East.
Fancy a shop or browse after brunch? Hit up the bustling, yet hipster street on Darby, where you’ll find most things from op shops, book shops, men & women’s fashion stores, gifts and homewares, cafes, bars and restaurants. You’ll hear me refer back to Darby street when I get to the places to eat and drink at night time!
If it’s warm (or cold if you’re daring!) There are some great swim spots along the beaches and baths stretching from Nobby’s in the north, and Burwood in the south. Nestled between Bar beach and Merewether is where you’ll find Dixon. Dixon is a great swimming spot and alot less crowed than the usual Newcastle or Nobby’s beach. Another secret spot is Burwood, south of Merewether baths. This beach is completely secluded and private BUT it is a fair walk so be warned and plan ahead. P.S swimmers! The baths at Merewether get emptied and cleaned on Thursdays, and the Newcastle Baths get emptied and cleaned on Wednesdays.
Image Credit: https://www.derivedesign.com.au/newcastle-signal-box
Now when it comes to nightlife, eateries or places where theres a night-time vibe, you have four different main areas of Newcastle where you can’t go wrong.
EAT:
Ginger Megs - King Street.
Enjoy Asian-Fusion? Ginger Megs draws inspiration from the array of Asian flavours, spices and ingredients native to South-East Asia. Fiery, colourful, bold and ambrosial; saturate your senses in an epicurean experience of epic proportions. To the right of Foghorn brewery you see this dark alleyway with orange neon lights surrounding a big double door. So intrigued you head inside and are immediately guided upstairs by a grand staircase and LED lights coming from each step. Once you reach the top, you enter South-East Asia.
This place is A-MAZING. Not only do they have a a great bar with yummy drinks, Yum Cha, a delicious array of meals to share on their menu, they also have a banquet feed for $60PP which is a must-try for you foodies. I hear they also do a bottomless brunch. Bottoms up ladies!
2. Antajitos - Steel Street, Newcastle West
The Mexican/Spanish translation for street food, or little cravings, is Antojitos. And in Steel Street, Newcastle West you’ll discover Newcastle’s very own Antojitos, a tasty diner that’s bursting with authentic and traditional Mexican street food flavours.
This place if for all the Mexican food-lovers - We’re talking Mexican street food in a big food hall, off the back of a busy kitchen with the most authentic experience of a Californian-style taqueria. It’s very casual dining, it’s very social, it’s very simple, it’s very affordable and best of all - It’s incredible food that tastes even better than it sounds.
Image Credit: HunterHunter
3. Scotties - Scott St, Newcastle East
Seafood, beers and Cocktails just moments from Newcastle Beach! I first stumbled across this quaint little restaurant on the side of the road by noticing the festoon lights attached to palm trees and outdoor seating in what looked like a small reserve between two streets. When I first tried it, I knew why it was so popular and successful.
Imagine sitting under the festoon lights on a balmy summer evening with a glass of wine a plate of some of Newcastles best seafood, whilst getting hit with a fresh sea breeze? Sounds idyllic doesn’t it?
Scotties is undeniably an icon in Newcastle East, and the East End, we all have memories of hot Summer afternoons enjoying some fish 'n chips or a burger after a swim at Newcastle Beach. Although Scotties is still etched into most Novocastrian’s memories as that fish n' chip shop near Newcastle Beach, it's actually matured into much more than that .Scotties is all about serving up sustainably caught fish, sourced predominately from local fisherman (where possible), their fish menu changes weekly depending on what's in season, plentiful and running at the time.
Image Credit- Scotties & HunterHunter.com
There’s no shortage of great pubs and bars around Newcastle, and theres definitely a fair few I could mention but it would make this blog way too long! Maybe I should write another blog about Newcastle Nightlife? hmm….
Earp Distillery - Carrington
And last BUT certainly not least (potentially my favourite) Earp Distilling Co. tucked away in the harbour-side haven of Carrington. The Tasting Bar is a stylish alternative to traditional pubs and bars, offering views directly into the working distillery. With a seasonal food and cocktail menu, Earp Distilling Co. spirits are offered as tastings or by the glass. You can also experience a guided spirit tasting, distillery tour, gin blending class or a Gin School class where you become a distiller for a day. Learning about the distilling process, select botanicals and take 'cuts' during your distillation to craft your very own bottle of gin. Venturing to Earp distillery is definitely an amazing experience from start to finish. With the help of the friendly staff, they offer you their knowledgeable recommendations as soon as you’re seated, and make sure you always a board in front of you so that you always have something to graze on!
Image Credit: Earp Distillery.
Make sure you also check out these areas if you’re looking for a place after Earp!
Carrington : Young Street Hotel Merewether: Merewether Surfhouse Darby Street; 5 Sawyers, Bar Romeo East End: Babylon, Coal & Cedar, Uptowns Bar
Sunday:
You’ve wined & dined, you’ve beached and shopped, but you can’t go home without experiencing breakfast at one of the many cafe choices in Newcastle.
Autumn Rooms - Darby St.
The Autumn Rooms is a cafe nestled in the heart of Darby Street, Cooks Hill. Their focus is on friendly and efficient customer service with excellent food, coffee and tea. This cafe is so beautifully designed with a delicate mix of antique intorior and and natural decor. With an extensive collection of teas, fresh baked scones and savouries - you’ll find yourself settling into long conversations with your girlfriends in no time.
A sparkling high tea is among one of our favourite things to experience here at Autumn rooms if you want to add a little bubbles to your brunch! We also offer it as an inclusion in our Coastal Escape package.
Image Credit: @Autumnrooms
Lauren
Girls Getaways xx