Newy Locals Dish On All The Best Bars, Brunch Beachy Spots They Think Are Better Than Sydney

Newcastle is one of NSW’s most bountiful gems. Over the last few years, it’s developed a rep for hosting some of Australia’s most gorgeous surf beaches and a huge number of chic restaurants, boutique stores, cultural hubs, and of course, classic pubs to boot. In short, it’s way more than just a pit-stop location on your way to, say, Byron Bay. Considering it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from Sydney (it’s approximately a two-hour drive), it makes for the perfect weekend getaway destination for winter, summer or anything in between. Whether you consider yourself a foodie, an outdoor adventurer or someone who likes to ‘rock up and see what happens’, you’re bound to find something that tickles your fancy there. In my opinion, asking a local for recommendations ahead of visiting a new spot is a must, and if you’ve ever spoken to a Newy resident, you’ve probably gotten the vibe that they’re proud as heck of their town (and for a good reason). Here’s what a bunch of ’em recommend getting up to when you visit (and what they think is actually better than what you get in Sydney).

Food & Drink