Newcastle

The Newcastle Regional Museum gives a good overview of Newcastle’s history as the hub for the region’s mining and steel industry. Variety of exhibitions, including permanent and special ones, are of great interest to everyone. One of these exhibitions is the Supernova hands-on science centre, which is fun for the whole family. Don't forget to book your tickets in advance.

Fort Scratchley is an old Victorian house, but also a military and maritime museum. Take advantage of the organised tours, and check out the tunnel system to learn more about Newcastle's past at this historical site. It is open at weekends and public holidays.

Head north of the city and relax at Stockton Beach. You will find that this long, wide beach with massive dunes is somewhat of a playground. Try thrilling quad-bike tours, slide down the dunes on sand boards or explore the beach on horseback.

Convict Lumber Yard was once an industrial workplace for prisoners. This museum now houses sculptures and charts that will bring you back about a hundred years and show you what a convict's life was like. You can also get an insight into the development of the local settlement.

Nobbys Island, also known as 'Whibayganba,' is located outside the Newcastle Harbour and served as a coastal defence station in World War II. The lighthouse on the island is an important landmark as it is included in Newcastle’s coat of arms. You can visit the lighthouse every weekend.

Overlooking Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Mount Sugarloaf is a popular place for outdoor activities. There are several picnic areas and lookouts, and the light hike is suitable for the whole family. Grab the kids, pack some lunch and climb the summit.

Enjoy the ocean at its best at King Edward Park. This former recreational reserve is a popular place for weddings, and holds a bowling green as well as the Obelisk. Families BBQ and picnic here all day long, and if you're lucky, you can even catch an open air movie on summer nights.

Bar Beach lies southwest of the city centre, and is a popular spot for getting a tan. The well-maintained beach offers a number of surfing spots, where you can easily enjoy a lazy afternoon on your summer vacation by the clear blue ocean.

Timeless Textiles has a growing reputation as a key national centre for fibre arts. This gallery and shop hosts workshop programmes promoting the collectibility of fibre arts. Each year, the gallery hosts four local, four national and four international exhibitions.

The Fernleigh Track, part of the decommissioned Adamstown-Belmont coal train line, now serves as a destination for a highly enjoyable 15-kilometre bike ride. The track starts in the centre of Newcastle, at Adamstown train station, and goes through brick tunnels, attractive bushland and wetlands. The track is well-maintained for safe cycling, jogging and walking. The gradients are gentle, as befits an old train line, so there won't be any steep ups and downs. Stop at the Fernleigh Café in Adamstown for a delicious bite before heading back.