Newcastle is a metropolis with everything from stunning beaches and street art to iconic ocean baths, cool cafés and designer hotels.

Newcastle – or ‘Newie’ as it’s affectionately known – is Australia’s second oldest city and is located just a two-hour drive north of Sydney. Like Sydney, Newcastle’s big attractions are its beautiful beaches and harbour. But it’s the hipster-friendly population of less than half a million that makes Newcastle a laid back option for a holiday as the crowds are fewer and the pace is slower.

The Awabakal and Worimi peoples are acknowledged by City of Newcastle as the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters situated within the Newcastle local government area, including wetlands, rivers creeks and coastal environments. It is known that their heritage and cultural ties to Newcastle date back tens of thousands of years.