Whether you’re travelling by road, rail or air, Newcastle is in easy reach.
The proximity to Sydney, direct access to Newcastle airport and seamless transport connections means you’ll enjoy the journey to reach this coastal escape.
It’s also one of the easiest cities to navigate, thanks to its walkable landscape and the Light Rail service connecting the West (business) and East (beach) ends of town, ensuring moving between venues and accommodation is a breeze.
From Sydney, head north on the M1. Just over an hour north of Wahroonga on Sydney’s upper North Shore is the turn-off for Newcastle, and from there follow the signs and you’ll hit the CBD in around 30 minutes.
From the north, head south on the Pacific Highway/A1, and follow the signs.
Newcastle Airport is a 25-minute drive from the CBD, and you can fly direct to Newcastle from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and the Gold Coast, as well as regional cities including Ballina/Bryon Bay, Dubbo and Taree.
Five airlines service Newcastle Airport:
Virgin, Jetstar, Qantas, Rex, and Fly Pelican.
Sit back and relax by catching the train to the Newcastle Interchange.
The Newcastle and Central Coast services depart regularly from Sydney’s Central Station, Strathfield, Epping and Hornsby.
TrainLink's inter-city services connect Brisbane to Newcastle via the regional cities of Casino, Grafton, Wauchope and Taree, while northwestern services from Armidale, Tamworth, Moree and Narrabri also arrive here.
Trains run regularly from Newcastle Interchange, connecting to the suburbs.
Use either the Hunter Line or Newcastle and Central Coast Line.
The light rail system connects the CBD, running from Newcastle Interchange to Newcastle East.
The 2.7km line has stops at locations such as Civic Theatre/City Hall and University of Newcastle City Campus, while the final stop on the line is just a few moments’ walk from the iconic Newcastle Beach and Ocean Baths.
Buses run regularly around the city centre and connect with the suburbs and key locations including University of Newcastle, McDonald Jones Stadium and John Hunter Hospital, as well as shopping centres and parks. Plan your journey here
From Queens Wharf you can catch the ferry to Stockton and explore the beachside suburb.
Newcastle is a very walkable city, with a range of scenic walking tracks in the city centre and suburbs of Newcastle.
Some of the more popular walks include Bathers Way, stretching along the coastline from Newcastle Harbour to Merewether Beach.
Newcastle is a great city to explore by bike, with a number of leisurely cycle routes to enjoy.
If you don’t have your bike with you, you can hire electric bikes and helmets by the hour from 19 docking stations across the city.
