Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas. Situated 162 kilometres (101 mi) NNE of Sydney, at the mouth of the Hunter River, it is the predominant city within the Hunter Region.

Newcastle offers a wide variety of attractions and activities including a magnificent working harbour, spectacular surfing and swimming beaches. The Foreshore area include the Nobbys is popular, as is the Newcastle Ocean Baths and Canoe Pool.

Things to see and do

* Nobbys Head
* Bar Beach
* Heritage architecture
* Fort Scratchley
* Foreshore area

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Australian Dollar (AUD)
Language – English
Land Area – 261.8 km²
Population – 290,000 approx
Time – GMT plus ten hours
Electricity - 2 angled pins and 1 flat pin centered below Australian style
International Country Telephone Code – 61

Port Location – Cruise ships visiting the Port of Newcastle generally berth at the Channel Berth, or alternatively the Dyke No. 1 Berth.

Travel Links – Newcastle Airport is a regional hub served Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Brindabella Airlines and Aeropelican.

McCafferty’s buses travel to Newcastle from Sydney. Port Stephens Coaches provides daily services from Port Stephens and Williamtown airport to Newcastle Railway Station.

Sydney's Central, Strathfield, Epping and Hornsby stations have hourly Cityrail trains to Newcastle Station via the Central Coast. Travelling time is about 2.5-3 hours, and there is at least one train per hour for most of the day.