Newcastle Port Day: The Complete Guide for Cruise Passengers

Welcome to Newcastle.

Our compact city boasts six patrolled beaches, historical sites including a fort, lighthouse and pier, museums, 19 independent art galleries, coastal walks, bush hikes, bespoke shopping, street art, waterfront restaurants, and so much more.

Let's get busy.

• Fort Scratchley - Australia's only fort to return enemy fire sits high above Nobbys Beach and Newcastle Beach offering spectacular views. Open daily (except Tuesdays) from 10am-4pm with free entry. Time your visit to coincide with the daily cannon fire at 1pm for something unique. Tunnel tours are available.
• Newcastle Museum - A contemporary museum just across the garden from your shuttle stop (behind the Visitor Information Centre). The museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays (open seven days in holidays) from 10am - 5pm. General entry is free, and fees apply for special events and exhibitions.
• Art Galleries - Newcastle Art Gallery is currently undergoing renovations (re-opening 2025). However, the city has a thriving independent art scene with 19 galleries to discover, including the Lock-up, Leda Gallery, and Blackstone Gallery on Hunter Street.

• Coastal Cruises - Continue your love of cruising aboard one of Newcastle's beloved whale and dolphin cruises; CoastXP or Nova Cruises have experienced guides to give you the best chance of spotting wildlife up close. Depending on your arrival day, you can also cruise the harbour aboard the historic  William the Fourth.
• Sightseeing tours - A range of tours are available where you can discover street art, galleries, and architecture, learn Newcastle's history and so much more with expert guides - Newcastle Afoot, Newy Tour Co., and Anywhere Anytime Tours.
• Nobbys Lighthouse - Established in 1854, Nobbys Lighthouse is open on weekends from 10am - 3pm. The short 220m uphill walk will reward you with breathtaking views of the coast. The Signal Master's Cottage showcases artist exhibitions and a gift shop. If the hill isn't for you, Macquarie Pier runs alongside.

• King Edward Park - Just along Bathers Way from Newcastle Beach, King Edward Park is a multi-tiered picnic area, featuring a manicured formal garden, towering Norfolk Pines, a playground, and an ornate Victorian rotunda. At the top of the park, the historic Shepherd Hill Cottage offers spectacular views.
• Christ Church Cathedral - A dominant architectural presence along Newcastle's skyline, the Gothic Revival cathedral is a historic feature of the city, where visitors can climb the tower and take in its expansive views when weather permits. Walk up the hill or catch the No. 21 bus. Contact the cathedral for fees and booking info.
• Miss Porter's House - A national trust heritage site, Miss Porter's House gives visitors a rare look at how Newcastle locals lived from 1910 through to 1997. Check with the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre for opening times and dates. Entry Fees apply.

While you're exploring Newcastle you're bound to come across many boutiques and bespoke shops.

• Uniquely Newcastle gifts - Mitch Revs Gallery, Blackbird Corner, Honest Paper, Betty Loves Books, High Tea With Mrs Woo, Studio Melt, Make Space Gallery & Workshop.
• Visitor Information Centre (VIC) - The most convenient gift shop stop for your cruise shuttle stop is Newcastle's VIC. You can pick up Newcastle branded totes, water bottles, pens, and keyrings, plus local honey, hot sauces, ceramics, tea towels, soaps, artwork, puzzles, and more.

• Bathers Way Walk - This 6km coastal walk is fully pathed and provides many opportunities to take in our pristine coastline, including the elevated Anzac Memorial Walk raised section. Walking the entire length takes approximately 3hrs. Catch the No.21 Bus to start at either end or from the shuttle bus walk along Newcastle Harbour to Nobbys headland.
• Blackbutt Reserve - See Australia's favourite native animals in a gorgeous tree-filled nature reserve with picnic areas, nature trails, and resident peacocks. Entry is free and the wildlife exhibits are open daily from 10am - 4:30pm. Only 6km from the city centre, catch the No.25 or No.26 bus or book a taxi.

• Beaches - Newcastle has six, easily accessible patrolled beaches — with Nobbys, Newcastle, Bar, Dixon Park, and Merewether Beaches being the five closest. The simplest to access from your shuttle bus stop is Nobbys Beach (walk along the harbour towards the coast) or Newcastle Beach (catch the light rail and alight at the last stop).
• Ocean Baths and Pool - Take a dip in the ocean without having to brave any waves at Newcastle or Merewether Ocean Baths. Public toilets, showers, and nearby kiosk facilities are available. Alternatively, Australia's oldest ocean swimming pool, the Bogey Hole, offers an iconic Newcastle experience.
• Glenrock State Conservation Area - A nature-lovers paradise perfect for bushwalkers, hikers, and mountain bikers. Glenrock is approximately a 10-minute drive from the CBD. The Yuelarbah Trail (approx. 5km return) combines bush trails with a stop at Burwood Beach and promises plenty of bird song and the occasional waterfall.

• Honeysuckle - For a quick drink or long lunch there are plenty of delicious options only a short walk from your shuttle bus stop. Bars/pubs: Honeysuckle Hotel, The Dockyard, Harbour Bar. Cafés: The Beehive Honeysuckle. Restaurants: Blanca, The Kingfish, Thermidor, Nagisa Japanese, Ȃpé Yakitori Bar.
• Newcastle CBD - Pub eats and casual cafés, city breweries, refined dining, and more are available in Newcastle's CBD: Lightyears, Foghorn Brewery, Arno Deli, Bartholomew's, The Lucky Hotel, Susuru Ramen & Gyoza, Napoli Centrale Pizzeria, Ginger Megs, and Popolo Gelateria.
• Newcastle Mall and Surrounds - Heading towards Nobbys and Newcastle Beach by walking through Newcastle's outdoor mall will take you near some of the city's favourite brunch and lunch spots. Cafés: One Penny Black, Mr Sister Coffee, and Good Brothers Espresso. Restaurants: Humbug, Market St Basement, and Signal Box.
• Darby Street - Eclectic cafés dotted amongst quaint and quirky shops, Darby Street is a beautiful brunch and lunch spot if you enjoy an eclectic village vibe: Autumn Rooms, Sanctum on Darby, Three Monkeys Café, Beach Burrito Co, Goldbergs Coffee House, Baba Yaga, Monella Gelato, Core Espresso, and more.
• Water views - Gorgeous places to eat and drink with stunning water views. Casual Cafés and kiosks: Estabar, The Kiosk Newcastle Beach, Swell Kiosks, Merewether Surfhouse, Blue Door Kiosk Merewether. Pubs and restaurants: Scratchleys, Queens Wharf Hotel, and The Beach Hotel. Sweet treats: East End Ice Creamery.

Supermarkets

• Woolworths Express, Newcastle East (Access via Perkins and King Street),
• Harris Farm Markets, Cooks Hill (227 Darby Street)
• Woolworths Marketown
• Coles Marketown

Bottleshops and Liquor

• Artisanal Cellars by Sessions (behind QT Newcastle)
• Dan Murphy's Marketown
• BWS Newcastle
• Vintage Cellars Cooks Hill
• Cellarbrations Delany Hotel or Hunter Street.

Chemists

• Bagga's Pharmacy Hunter Street Mall
• Chemist Warehouse Hunter Street Mall
• City Pharmacy 53 Hunter Street
• Darby Street Pharmacy
• Doc's Mega Save Marketown