Raise a glass to this seaside city that swaps the beach for great food, buzzy bars and a night to stay out for once the sun sets.
By day, Newcastle is all about long beaches and ocean dips, leafy parks and exploring historic streets and galleries, but when the sun goes down, another side of the city emerges. Once known as ‘Steel City’, Newcastle has undergone a cultural transformation in recent years, with a new wave of talented chefs, restaurateurs and bartenders putting it firmly on the culinary map. The result is a flourishing food scene and plenty of reasons to stick around after dark. Get a local take on foodie and street-art highlights with Newy Tour Co., or explore on your own before heading out for the night.
Best eats: casual bites to fine dining restaurants
Blanca at Honeysuckle has a Mediterranean ambiance. (Credit: Katie Wade Studio)
Keep it casual at Foghorn Brewery with burgers, bites and 16 traditional and inventive craft beers on tap, all brewed in-house, or revel in the homey, vintage vibes of Harrison’s Food & Wine at Hamilton, where sophisticated cuisine comes with a distinctive neighbourhood feel. In the city, hatted Humbug restaurant delivers inventive Italian-leaning fare with global snippets and eclectic wines.
Embrace waterfront dining with a Mediterranean feast at light and breezy Blanca at Honeysuckle, another one of Newcastle’s top restaurants. Think mezze, grilled octopus and oozy saganaki with harissa and honey. New on the scene right next door, sister restaurant St Lucia dishes up rich, fiery Latin flavours, cocktails and dance rhythms into the night.
The dining room at St Lucia.
The hatted Humbug. (Credit: David Griffen)
The flavours at St Lucia have a Latin flair. (Credit: Destination NSW)
See the city with Newy Tour Co. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Historic Signal Box by the old rail tracks continues to serve fresh takes on classics. Don’t miss their fried cauliflower with gochujang sauce, and head up the spiral staircase to the rooftop bar for elevated views. For something special, reserve your seat for a set menu at Flotilla, where intriguing flavours meet impeccable technique and service.
Finely plated fare at Flotilla.
And don’t overlook Newcastle pubs. The recently refurbished Hotel Delany on Derby Street and local favourite The Maryville Tavern have seriously upped their food game, proving great dining doesn’t require a restaurant booking.
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Best bars: vinyl, cocktails and city lights
The Koutetsu shakes a good cocktail. (Credit: Jordan Reynolds)
Catch the sunset at Rooftop at QT. (Credit: Destination NSW)
Romberg’s spoils
with panoramic views.
For cocktails with a moody twist, slip into The Koutetsu for bespoke drinks, Japanese whiskies and gyoza. Bartholomew’s brings old-world glamour, candlelight and an impressive whisky and gin collection, while Uptowns Bar turns back the clock with ’90s hip-hop, retro gaming and themed cocktails.
At izakaya-style Jams Karaoke & Bar, grab the mic, order sake and some street food and let rip, or head next door to Maru Hi-Fi late-night bar and restaurant where sound is king with a 10,000-strong vinyl collection, live music and a world-class sound system.
For city lights from above, head to Romberg’s at the top of Crystalbrook Kingsley for sophisticated cocktails and an extensive wine list, or take in panoramic harbour views and Italian-inspired nibbles at QT’s rooftop bar, under moon lanterns or the stars. All that’s left is to decide how late to stay out.
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Christine Aldred is a travel writer and avid wanderer. She loves delving under the surface of places she visits to uncover their histories, tales and culinary highlights, and sharing the finds. She’s somewhat obsessive about taking photos, is a chronic over-packer and spends way too much time online.
See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.
By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.
From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.
This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.
1. Share in ghostly tales
Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)
If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.
You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.
2. Wander art installations
See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)
Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.
For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.
3. Learn through lasers
Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)
Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.
The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.
4. Light up the lake
Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)
Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.
You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.
5. Be captivated by local culture
Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)
Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.
Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.
6. Discover a winter glow
See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)
Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.
Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.
Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.
