Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Newcastle

"Blackbutt Reserve is a 182 hectare reserve in the middle of Newcastle’s suburbs which features walking trails, children’s playgrounds and tranquil picnic areas with free electric barbeques. However, its wildlife exhibits at the Carnley Avenue entrance are the main attraction as it is home to koalas, emus, wallabies, wombats and peacocks. A series of boardwalks make it easy to push a stroller and let young ones view the creatures up close in the enclosures."

"This 182-hectare oasis is the perfect spot for a picnic and is a quick 10-minute drive from the city centre. The playground is awesome and the peaceful pond and symphony of birdsong provide a sublime backdrop for lunch. There are picnic tables and barbecues aplenty, but if all you feel like is a drink and an ice-cream, there’s an on-site kiosk."

"Designed with children in mind, The Hunter Valley Gardens is a fun two or three hours for the whole family. The garden’s do some great school holiday exhibits including their Spring Holiday display, Mega Creatures, running until October 14. Soon the Christmas lights display will be live."

"The Gardens are a place for the appreciation of nature and peaceful reflection…but they are also a place for families and fun. Our unique events like Snow Time and our Christmas Lights Spectacular bring generations together for a fun day out and feature our beautiful custom-built rides."

"The Hunter Valley Gardens is a vast landscaped park with 10 feature gardens spread out over 25 acres. Take a soccer ball for a kick around, or simply let the kids run free. In school holidays the Gardens have extended opening hours."

"Dominating the city skyline, Newcastle's Anglican cathedral is filled with treasures like a gold chalice and a remembrance book made from jewellery donated by locals who lost loved ones in WWI."

"Of all the Lake Macquarie beaches, Blacksmiths Beach is considered the most family-friendly. Located at the southern end of a long stretch of coastline, Blacksmiths Beach is an east-facing patrolled beach. Due to the breakwall, it enjoys calmer conditions than neighbouring beaches."

"Kids will enjoy splashing in the beachside creek and rock pools. Redhead Beach is home to Redhead Surf Lifesaving Club."

"With views of Newcastle Harbour and close to the beach, Foreshore Park is a top spot to visit. The Foreshore Park playground features a swing set including a liberty swing, a large climbing structure and rockers. In a nod to its tramshed history, the playground contains a play train for kids to climb on."

"Swap ocean views for harbour views and walk along Newcastle’s working harbour. The wide harbour path is perfect for pushing a stroller or following kids on a tricycle or a scooter. Children will love the hustle and bustle of the working harbour."

"This beautiful and well reviewed Newcastle cafe can be found in a sunsoaked space, filled with plants and exposed brick walls, Mockingbird Cafe is known for serving up some of the best breakfast in Newcastle. If you ask us, Mockingbird Cafe is the perfect spot for a group with fancy Instagrammable breakfasts and a licence to serve alcohol for those who are looking to have a boozy breakfast. The two most iconic dishes here are the sweet red velvet pancakes with berries and mascarpone and the savoury pork eggs benedict with potato hash and chipotle hollandaise."

"Taking pride of place on Hamilton’s Beaumont Street, Mockingbird Cafe was also on the minds of a lot of readers when thinking about great breakfasts. The cafe’s hearty “Mockingbird breakfast” replete with eggs your way, bacon, chorizo, a house-made hash brown, portobello mushrooms, tomato relish, and toasty sourdough is an absolute morning delight. The vegetarian breakfast, with poached eggs, sauteed kale, almond hummus, fried cauliflower, pomegranate, and puffed rice has to be tasted to be believed."

"I saw the Mockingbird Cafe on Instagram as I was searching for somewhere nice to have my birthday lunch with friends. And if you do go to their Instagram account, you need to be mentally prepared for how, one, hungry you’re going to feel, and, two, how jealous you are that I’ve been there and you haven’t. I don’t know what presets they use on their photos but their food is like all the colours of the rainbow, and looks exactly like that in person too."

"Estabars has for as long as we can remember supplied some of the best gelato in town, but with Bec wanting to serve only really seasonal and local gelato the challenge was put to the team. Sourcing their flavor inspiration from the seasonal fruits Bec explains, “The chocolate and vanilla are made using cream and milk from the Little Big Dairy Co., and they're the basics and will always be on the menu. The other two flavours are what we have fun with.”More Info: click here"

"If you want to get a taste for Newcastles' local and seasonal produce, go to estabar. For 15 years estabar has been working with local farmers and producers to celebrate local and seasonal food. Their fresh menu, ocean views, seriously good coffee and house made gelato has seen estabar become a firm favourite in Newcastle."

"The punchy single-origin coffee, refreshing frappés and delicious gelato are great at this hugely welcoming spot, and the location right opposite Newcastle Beach is unbeatable. The owner makes an effort to source... Australian in Newcastle"

"There are gastropubs, and then there’s Carrington Place, a venue where the meals are every bit as fine as the accompanying wine produced right on Newcastle’s doorstep in the Hunter Valley. The old Oriental Hotel was given a total floor-to-ceiling overhaul in 2009 and now boasts a sophisticated 80-seat restaurant to go with a luxe private dining area, swanky main bar and comfortable guesthouse accommodation."