Attractions
Add some adventure to your next stay. Explore some of the local attractions available in the Hunter Region
Fern Bay Motel
1024 Nelson Bay RoadFern Bay NSW 2295, Australia
2023 Supercars
Thrifty Newcastle 500 Fri 10 - Sun 12 Mar 2023 Newcastle Supercars Track, Newcastle, NSW
The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship hits the streets of Newcastle, launching the season with the next generation of Supercars making their much-anticipated debut! It’s Camaro vs Mustang on track for the first time, marking the start of a new era for the sport.
Nestled between the city and the surf, the Thrifty Newcastle 500 event promises to be a sporting spectacle like no other! From 10 - 12 March, the streets and beaches will come alive with three days of full throttle entertainment.
Experience the spectacle and the sounds of Supercars racing up close and book a Grandstand seat, or, book a General Admission ticket and make your way around to the many viewing points of this scenic street circuit at your own pace.
The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship hits the streets of Newcastle, launching the season with the next generation of Supercars making their much-anticipated debut! It’s Camaro vs Mustang on track for the first time, marking the start of a new era for the sport.
Nestled between the city and the surf, the Thrifty Newcastle 500 event promises to be a sporting spectacle like no other! From 10 - 12 March, the streets and beaches will come alive with three days of full throttle entertainment.
Experience the spectacle and the sounds of Supercars racing up close and book a Grandstand seat, or, book a General Admission ticket and make your way around to the many viewing points of this scenic street circuit at your own pace.
Newcastle Golf Club
Located at the mouth of the Hunter River, a two hour drive from Sydney, Newcastle is one of only two courses in NSW given international recognition by the panel of experts rating the World’s Top 100 Courses.
It has recently been rated “International Honourable Mention”, meaning that it has won sufficient points to be worthy of inclusion in the Top 100 courses outside the USA.
However, instead of fairways lined by gorse and heather, Newcastle is carved out of a forest of eucalypts and angophoras abounding in native flora and fauna, including kookaburras, bearded dragons and wallabies, making it a delightful as well as a challenging course to play.
Although the course is situated only a few kilometres from the busy industrial city and port of Newcastle, the wide bands of trees separating the fairways give a feeling of peaceful isolation from the cares of the world.
It has recently been rated “International Honourable Mention”, meaning that it has won sufficient points to be worthy of inclusion in the Top 100 courses outside the USA.
However, instead of fairways lined by gorse and heather, Newcastle is carved out of a forest of eucalypts and angophoras abounding in native flora and fauna, including kookaburras, bearded dragons and wallabies, making it a delightful as well as a challenging course to play.
Although the course is situated only a few kilometres from the busy industrial city and port of Newcastle, the wide bands of trees separating the fairways give a feeling of peaceful isolation from the cares of the world.
NJC
Located in the heart of Newcastle on the picturesque Hunter Coast only two hours drive north of Sydney is Newcastle Racecourse. In operation for over 100 years, the Newcastle Racecourse is the largest provincial club in NSW.
We now have more than a dozen different function rooms to cater for your every need. Two levels of Public Bars, the Members Bar and the ever popular Lawn Marquees, all overlooking the track, offer patrons an exciting day at the races. We provide free car parking for over 300 cars and public transport at our doorstep.
So, if you’re looking for a venue with non stop atmosphere that can cater for any size party, look no further than Newcastle’s Social Venue.
We now have more than a dozen different function rooms to cater for your every need. Two levels of Public Bars, the Members Bar and the ever popular Lawn Marquees, all overlooking the track, offer patrons an exciting day at the races. We provide free car parking for over 300 cars and public transport at our doorstep.
So, if you’re looking for a venue with non stop atmosphere that can cater for any size party, look no further than Newcastle’s Social Venue.
Surfest
Surfest started back in 1985 when Newcastle’s residents were desperately trying to get rid of the industrial image and showcase the beauty of Newcastle’s beaches and surf breaks to people outside of the region. The first competition (the BHP Steel International) was the richest professional surfing event in the world at that time. This notoriety brought competitors and spectators in droves to the iconic event, and for more than three decades, Surfest has now become Australia’s largest surfing festival.
The Olive Tree Market
The Olive Tree Market showcases a carefully curated line-up of over 130 of the best emerging and established artists, designers, makers, gourmet artisan food producers, and delicious street food purveyors each month. Meet our makers, learn their stories, and take home beautiful goods, which have been consciously created by our talented artistic community.
Gather with family and friends, explore the market, meet the makers and take home beautifully created handmade goods.
Gather with family and friends, explore the market, meet the makers and take home beautifully created handmade goods.
McDonald Jones Stadium
McDonald Jones Stadium, formerly known as Hunter Stadium, is the centrepiece of the Hunter Venues sports precinct. Originally known as the International Sports Centre, it was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on April 10 1970.
This rectangular multi-purpose outdoor stadium with a capacity of up to 30,000 is home ground to the Newcastle's two flagship sporting franchises, the Newcastle Knights and the Newcastle Jets. The Newcastle Knights have claimed the NRL Premiership on two occasions in 1997 and 2001, while the Newcastle Jets were victors in the 2008 Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
This rectangular multi-purpose outdoor stadium with a capacity of up to 30,000 is home ground to the Newcastle's two flagship sporting franchises, the Newcastle Knights and the Newcastle Jets. The Newcastle Knights have claimed the NRL Premiership on two occasions in 1997 and 2001, while the Newcastle Jets were victors in the 2008 Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
Fighterworld
Fighter World has its origins in the original RAAF Williamtown Base Museum. This was established in the early 1980s and comprised a wartime hut located near the main gate. Display items included aircraft parts and equipment, uniforms, photographs and memorabilia. Fighter World pays tribute to Australia’s great pilots and the planes they flew, as well as demonstrating the latest advances. It relives the triumphs of the past, and points the way to the future. Australia’s proud fighter role will be dramatically exhibited in the Fighter World display centre - the only such centre of its kind in the world.
Fort Scratchley
Built in 1882 as a former coastal defence installation to defend Newcastle against a possible Russian attack, Fort Scratchley is now a museum. It is located in Newcastle East, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales in Australia. The Fort’s guns were not fired in anger until 8 June 1942 during the shelling of Newcastle. The Australian Army left the site in 1972. Photo: University of Newcastle, Ralph Snowball Collection.
Fort Scratchy offers guided tours and tunnel tours, see website for bookings and tour times & details.
Fort Scratchy offers guided tours and tunnel tours, see website for bookings and tour times & details.
Stockton~Newcastle Ferry
The Stockton Ferry is a regular ferry service across the Hunter River, from the northern Newcastle suburb of Stockton to Queens Wharf, near the city centre. Although you can drive between the two places, which takes 25 minutes, it is a much easier commute to the city for those who live on the north side of the city, or those coming down from Port Stephens. It is also popular with tourists staying at the NRMA Stockton Beach Holiday Park, as quick access into the city for dinner, shopping or to enjoy the bars at Queens Wharf.
Stockton Playground
The Stockton playground and skate park are amazing. Dubbed the South Stockton Active Hub, it’s located in Griffiths Park in Stockton next to the ferry terminal so really easy to access if you’re coming via ferry.
You’ll easily spot the playground as you approach by ferry or car. With great play equipment and skate facilities plus fantastic harbour views of Newcastle, it’s a favourite for both kids and adults.
The playground suits a variety of ages. There’s small play equipment for active toddlers who like climbing and going down small slides.
You’ll easily spot the playground as you approach by ferry or car. With great play equipment and skate facilities plus fantastic harbour views of Newcastle, it’s a favourite for both kids and adults.
The playground suits a variety of ages. There’s small play equipment for active toddlers who like climbing and going down small slides.