Your 72-hour guide to Newcastle’s epic cultural festival

Amazing live performances, fabulous dining options and invigorating nature spots are calling for a weekend away.

Newcastle is a thriving urban hub blessed with a striking coastal locale, a city full of cultural richness and depth and a community of clever and spirited creatives. And in 2024, its New Annual festival is back, bringing local music, arts, dance and performances over 10 days of free and ticketed events. Follow this guide to make the most of your stay.

Day one

2pm: Check in to chill out

Make your way to QT Newcastle, a five-star hotel in the heritage-listed former David Jones building. The interiors ooze playfulness with striking colours and textural details, all hinging on the style of the century-old building’s glamorous heyday.

Check into the five-star QT Newcastle.

Its rooftop bar is a highlight, boasting views of Newcastle’s ocean-meets-city skyline while serving up an extensive range of gins and Japanese whiskies. They’ve also just launched a decadent high tea experience with Masterchef alumni and local star Reece Hignall.

Sip on gins and Japanese whiskies at QT’s rootop bar.

3pm: Start thinking

Make a beeline to The Lockup, once an 1800s police station and now a centre and gallery for art. See leading edge, multidisciplinary works from local, national and international artists.

5pm: Enjoy a rooftop aperitif

Wander west along Hunter Street to Charlies Rooftop, a pastel-hued Palm Springs-inspired bar spread over two storeys. Happy hour is from 5pm to 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday, so sip on a peach fizz to match the setting and order some small plates if you’re feeling peckish (but save room for dinner). Just around the corner you’ll find The Koutetsu and Japanese-style Jam’s Karaoke & Bar.

7pm: Dine harbourside

Sashay your way to Thermidor, an oyster bar and brasserie on the Honeysuckle waterfront. Order your oysters Bloody Mary-style, wood roasted, Rockefeller or natural, and share dishes such as spit-roasted chicken, saffron and chorizo paella and grilled lobster thermidor.

Treat yourself at Thermidor Oyster Bar & Brasserie.

Or transport yourself to Mykonos at Blanca on Honeysuckle, which combines stellar food and amazing views of the bustling harbour. Take your tastebuds on a Mediterranean journey with a mix of flavours from Greece, Italy and Turkey before heading back to your accommodation for a restful night.

Try the Mediterranean fare at Blanca.

Day two

8am: Fuel up for the day

Start your day at local fave Convoy Commune, a bright and airy neighbourhood cafe in Merewether that promises good vibes and great food – think favourites such as smashed avo, toasties and bacon and egg muffins.

9:30am: Ocean dips and walks

Follow the sea spray to Merewether Ocean Baths. Built in 1935, these are the largest ocean baths in the southern hemisphere and comprise lap lanes as well as a shallow pool for a chilled-out morning swim.

Take a brisk winter swim in the southern hemisphere’s largest ocean baths.

Afterwards, head to Glenrock State Conservation Area for a five-kilometre return walk along the Yuelarbah track, which traces the coastline. You can walk all the way to the Newcastle Memorial Walk above Bar Beach, which commemorates the ANZAC landing in Gallipoli and has epic ocean views.

Follow the Yuelarbah track to ANZAC Memorial Walk.

12pm: Seafood by the seaside

Scottie’s is a short walk from Newcastle Beach and has been a long-time favourite for fresh and sustainable seafood. You can dine in for lunch, or order some fish and chips, a lobster club sando or a chip butty and savour them seaside. Conveniently close to Scottie’s (just across the road) is East End Ice Creamery, scooping up some of the best ice cream in town.

Join the locals at Scotties.

2pm: Walk the walk

Join a locally guided tour with Newcastle Afoot – its Newcastle Architecture, Street Art and Hidden Secrets walking tour runs at 10am on Fridays and 2pm on Saturdays (food tours are also available). You’ll explore the eclectic streets of the city between the harbour and sea, learning historical anecdotes and visiting local secret spots. The tour culminates in Darby Street in the charming enclave of Cooks Hill, which is home to a collection of boutique specialty stores.

Find the architecture and street art gems, as well as hidden secrets with Newcastle Afoot.

You can also choose to do it yourself with Tantrum Youth Arts’ WonderCity. This self-guided walking tour has been made especially for New Annual, and will have you uncovering unique live and digital performances of untold stories about the city.

3pm: New Annual events

New Annual festival is one of art culture and creativity. Find plenty of events happening around the city during the 10 days, from groundbreaking theatre performances and contemporary dance to hands-on workshops. With a mix of free, low cost and family-friendly events there’s something for everyone.

Settle in for moving performances at New Annual Festival. (Image: “What Will Have Been” – New Annual 2023/Picture Cabinet)

On Saturday, October 5, join a melting pot of culture and creativity with Global Gathering’s multicultural free all-day mini-festival. Experience the food, sound and diversity of Newcastle’s vibrant diaspora in Museum Park.

Join in hands-on workshops, watch performances and themed dining options.

8pm: Late-night grooves

They say beer is the heart and music the soul at The Rogue Scholar. If this speaks to you, make your way to this grungy bolthole with a rooftop for late-night drinks and live music every day. Cocktails and wine also feature on the menu.

Listen to live music The Rogue Scholar.

Day three

7:30am: Early to rise

One Penny Black has been keeping locals and visitors alike fuelled with caffeine for close to 15 years. Nab a breakfast table to try wholesome dishes made with locally sourced and seasonal produce, such as smoked salmon bagels, eggs benny and corn and capsicum fritters.

Another option – just a short walk from QT Newcastle – is Momo, where natural light, high ceilings, nourishing food and great coffee combine to kickstart your day.

9am: Whale of a time

Keep your eyes peeled for whales. (Image: CoastXP)

Make the most of whale watching season with a CoastXP Whale Encounter Tour. Board a custom-built adventure boat and cruise Newcastle’s coastline, keeping an eye out for these majestic giants, as well as the dolphins and long-nosed fur seals that frequent these waters.

New Annual returns to Newcastle for 10 days of art, culture and creativity from 27 September – 6 October 2024. The festival features local and nationally renowned artists delivering free, ticketed and family-friendly events across the city. Check out the New Annual program.