Best Areas to Stay in Newcastle, Australia

The Central Business District in Newcastle is home to several of the city’s cultural and historical landmarks.

Located on the south bank of the Hunter River mouth, this lively area has several shopping streets filled with designer shops, quirky cafes, great restaurants, bars and clubs.

The oldest buildings in the area include great examples of colonial-era architecture such as Rose Cottage, the Convict Lumber Yard, the Bogey Hole sea bath or Christ Church Cathedral.

Fort Scratchley, a 19th-century fortification lies not too far away, in what is now known as Newcastle East.

This area is also home to the main urban beaches in town; Newcastle Beach and Nobbys Beach, a major surf spot.

Some of the main shopping and nightlife streets in the area include Hunter Street and Darby Street.

Hunter Street is incidentally the best-connected road in Newcastle, with several tram stations and bus stops connecting the city centre to the outlying suburbs.

As is to be expected, the CBD area is also home to most of the city’s accommodation options. This includes budget motels, small inns and luxury hotels, along with a few cheap backpacker hostels and several tourist apartments.

All and all, the CBD is the best area to stay in Newcastle for sightseeing, as well as for the best food and nightlife in this NSW city.

Merewether is located about 3 km south of Newcastle’s CBD and along the coast.

This Newcastle suburb is home to some of the city’s most famous beaches.

Dixon Park Beach connects on the south onto Merewether Beach, home to the Merewether Ocean Baths, the largest ocean baths south of the Equator and the Merewether Surfboard Club, considered the most successful surf club in Australia.

Merewether Beach has become a prime surfing spot thanks to its rocky bottom.

Burwood Beach is a bit more isolated and leads to Glenrock Lagoon.

This suburb is connected to the CBD via several frequent bus lines.

Merewether is the best suburb to stay in Newcastle for surfers and those looking for a relaxed, beachy atmosphere.

This area doesn’t have as many accommodation options as the central districts, but it does offer budget hotels, motels and B&Bs.

Hamilton is a district located directly northwest of the city centre. It is divided into Hamilton North, Hamilton South, Hamilton East and Hamilton.

While the North and South suburbs are more on the residential side, Hamilton proper, as well as Hamilton East, are lively business districts with several shopping streets and dining options including Beaumont Street and Tudor Street.

Hamilton is quite well-connected to the rest of the city thanks to its TrainLink station, which can take you to the CBD in less than 10 minutes and central Sydney in just over two hours. All Hamilton suburbs also have several bus routes going through them.

With regards to attractions, this area is home to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Young People’s Theatre, Gregson Park, The Creative Arts Space, and the Newcastle Racecourse.

Accommodation in this area is quite varied and tends to be cheaper than in the CBD. There are quite a few mid-range hotels and upmarket apartments to choose from.

Hamilton is one of the best locations in Newcastle for travellers looking for comfort and a more local vibe.

Lambton and New Lambton consist of primarily residential streets.

These suburbs are located on the west end of Newcastle, about 6 km from the CBD.

Originally a coal-mining township, it was later absorbed by Greater Newcastle.

Although the Lambtons are mainly low-rise residential developments, the entire south-western part of the New Lambton suburb is occupied by Blackbutt Reserve.

Blackbutt Reserve is a 152-hectare nature reserve located between New Lambton and Kotara where captive animals were displayed. It consists mainly of urban bushland and is also home to several nature trails, playgrounds and recreational facilities.

Because of the residential nature of Lambton and New Lambton, this part of Newcastle does not have an extensive accommodation offer. That said, it is one of the best suburbs to stay in Newcastle for a quiet holiday away from the comings and goings of the city centre.

This area is also home to the Wests Convention Centre, so it is a great area for business travellers.

Stockton Beach is located north of the Hunter River and stretches 32 km from Stockton to Port Stephens.

Its rolling sand dunes make it a very popular spot for adventure sports and four-wheel driving. You can also choose to book a fishing tour.

Stockton Beach is also a great place to just walk around and bask in the beauty of the Aussie shores.

The Stockton suburb is a pleasant area. You can get here by simply taking the ferry from Queens Wharf and have a nice walk along the shoreline.

A great portion of Stockton Beach is within the Worimi National Park.