Things to do in Newcastle: the 8 best, mostly free
The beaches and ocean baths, the coastal walk, the fort, the gallery and the koalas, with opening hours and costs. Plus our hand-picked list of what's on this week.
Most of the best things to do in Newcastle are free and within a few kilometres of the city. Start with what's on this week, then pick from the list below.
This week in Newcastle
Picked by hand on 13 October 2026.
- Until 7 Feb Angela Tiatia: Muse, the summer exhibitionNewcastle Art Gallery
Our hand-picked list for this week is coming. Until then, everything on is in what's on in Newcastle.
Everything else on: what's on in Newcastle.
Swim at the beach or the ocean baths
Newcastle's beaches are minutes from the city, and four free ocean pools sit along the coast between Nobbys and Merewether.
Our beaches guide says which beach suits the day, and the ocean baths guide says which pools are closed for cleaning.
Good to know
- Cost
- Free
- Good for
- Every summer's day, and the dawn swim all year
- Best known
- Newcastle Ocean Baths, Merewether Ocean Baths, the Bogey Hole, Bar Beach
Walk the Bathers Way
A 6km coastal walk from Merewether Ocean Baths to Nobbys Beach, past the beaches, the baths, King Edward Park and the Newcastle Memorial Walk on the clifftop.
Good to know
- Length
- 6km one way, about 3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Good for
- Sunrise, visitors, a long catch-up
Walk out to Nobbys
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A flat walk along the breakwall to Nobbys Head, between the harbour and the ocean, watching the ships come in.
The headland, with its 1854 lighthouse and an arts store, opens on weekends and public holidays.
Good to know
- Headland open
- Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, 8am to 4pm
- Cost
- Free
Fort Scratchley
The old fort on the hill above Newcastle Beach, with harbour views and guided tours of the tunnels underneath.
Entry is free. The tunnel tours cost extra and aren't suitable for prams or wheelchairs, because of the narrow stairs.
Good to know
- Open
- 10am to 4pm, last entry 3.30pm; closed Tuesdays
- Cost
- Free entry; tunnel tours are paid
- Good for
- History, views, older kids
Newcastle Art Gallery
The city's art gallery on Laman Street, next to Civic Park, with the summer exhibition Angela Tiatia: Muse running until 7 February 2027.
General entry is free. Some exhibitions are ticketed.
Good to know
- Open
- Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm
- Cost
- Free general entry
- Good for
- A rainy day, a slow morning
Newcastle Museum
The museum in the old rail workshops at Honeysuckle, with the city's story and Supernova, its hands-on science centre for kids.
General entry is free, and it opens every day in the NSW school holidays.
Good to know
- Open
- Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, and every day in NSW school holidays
- Cost
- Free general entry
- Good for
- Kids, a rainy day
See the koalas at Blackbutt Reserve
Bushland in the middle of the suburbs with free wildlife exhibits, walking tracks and barbecues.
It's the easy family day out: koalas, kangaroos and a picnic, all free.
Good to know
- Wildlife exhibits
- Every day 10am to 4.30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Good for
- Kids, a picnic
Eat and drink like a local
Darby Street and the East End for cafes, Beaumont Street in Hamilton for cheap eats, and the harbour for a drink at sunset.
Start with our cafe guide and breakfast guide.
Good to know
- Cafe streets
- Darby Street, Cooks Hill; the East End; The Junction
- Eat streets
- Beaumont Street, Hamilton; Hunter and King streets in the city
Run something worth doing in Newcastle?
We choose every spot in our guides and never sell them. If you run an independent business or event, you can claim a free Made in Newy listing and tell us what's coming up.
Claim your free listingEvery pick on one map
Numbers match the list. Tap a pin for directions. Map © OpenFreeMap, OpenMapTiles, OpenStreetMap contributors.
Questions people ask
What are the best free things to do in Newcastle?
Swim at the ocean baths, walk the Bathers Way or out to Nobbys, see the koalas at Blackbutt Reserve, and visit the art gallery, the museum and Fort Scratchley, which are all free to enter.
What is there to do in Newcastle when it rains?
Newcastle Art Gallery and Newcastle Museum are both free and indoors, and Fort Scratchley's tunnel tours go underground.
What can you do in Newcastle with kids?
The Canoe Pool at Newcastle Ocean Baths for little swimmers, Supernova at Newcastle Museum, and the koalas and kangaroos at Blackbutt Reserve.
What's on in Newcastle this weekend?
See our hand-picked list at the top of this page, and every event in what's on in Newcastle.
How we made this guide
We read the official page for every place on 13 October 2026: the City of Newcastle, the NSW Government, Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle Museum and Fort Scratchley. The list of what's on this week is picked by hand from the events in our what's on calendar and hides itself once it's out of date. Hours change, so check before you go. If something has changed, tell us.