Pull away from the grey of the highway to the green of the countryside and blue of the sea at one of these great Newcastle Airbnbs.
Newcastle Airbnbs usually have a few things in common: they are near to beaches and nature. The region is known for its varied landscapes and there are a lot of locations designed to encourage guests to stay and play. Here are six of the best that will put you in position to take advantage of all the great things the city has to offer.
1. The Beach House at Merewether
Location: Merewether
The noise of the ocean grows to the volume of a train when night has fallen at The Beach House at Merewether. It’s a sound that is like a lullaby for those whose idea of heaven is a holiday by the sea. Head for coffee at a Newcastle cafe, swim between the flags at Merewether Beach and take advantage of the proximity to some iconic ocean pools.
Enjoy a relaxing dip in your private tub.
2. The River Haus
Location: Morpeth
Want to check out a few boutique wineries in the nearby Hunter Valley while you’re in the region? It’s just a one-hour drive from Newcastle to the Hunter. It’s where you will find the River Haus, the quintessential country cottage designed for those dreaming of a luxe stay. There’s a full farmhouse kitchen, a wood fire and it’s mere minutes from Boydell’s Cellar Door and Restaurant, one of the restaurants in the Hunter.
Curl up with a book in hand or watch TV in The River Haus cottage.
3. The Little Kilgour
Location: Bar Beach
There are a lot of cool things to do in Newcastle if you want to stay put at The Little Kilgour. The quirky seaside guesthouse is at Bar Beach, just minutes from the Eat Street precinct in Newcastle. It is only a two-minute walk across Empire Park to the beach and close to great surf breaks and baths. The compact guesthouse is small but perfectly formed and fully self-contained. There’s a BBQ and outdoor shower with hot water, too.
Stay at The Little Kilgour if you want to be near the beach.
4. Home in Cooks Hill
Location: Cooks Hill
A stay in a luxury hotel is not everyone’s cup of tea. Although there are some excellent places to stay in Newcastle, there are also a plethora of charming Newcastle Airbnbs. This 1920s charmer is just one of them. The renovated cottage sleeps up to five people and includes a dedicated workspace designed for digital nomads. There’s free parking at the Home in Cooks Hill, a courtyard and access to Netflix so you can re-binge Schitts Creek.
Take advantage of the mini reading nook inside Home in Cooks Hill.
5. Executive Beach Apartment
Location: Newcastle Beach
Bring your significant other to Newcastle to romance them with a stay in this one-bedroom apartment steps away from Newcastle Beach. It’s a fantastic place for whale and dolphin watching, with floor-to-ceiling windows and views for days. The apartment is well placed to take advantage of Newcastle’s best beaches, one of the reasons a holiday here is hard to beat.
Unbeatable beach views at Executive Beach Apartment.
6. Seascape
Location: Merewether
You will see a lot of seagulls when you stay at Seascape, which is in the flight path for the birds which glide through the sky and around the nearby headland. The sound of the sea echoing all around is the other thing you’ll noticewhen you book a stay at this Newcastle Airbnb. Seascape is only metres from the waves, and boasts uninterrupted views of Merewether, Dixon Park and Bar Beach.
Soak up uninterrupted views of Merewether Beach at Seascape.
7. Beach Retreat, Merewether Beach
Location: Merewether
Those searching for a coastal cool escape will find much to admire at Beach Retreat, Merewether . The contemporary four-bedroom cottage sleeps eight and is decked out with all the essentials. Additionally, the cottage looks like it has fallen off a Pinterest page for yachties, with high ceilings, nautical-hued nooks and a soft palette of charcoals and white.
Get cosy with a glass of wine by the fireplace at Beach Retreat.
The state-of-the-art kitchen is designed for entertaining. And the free-standing bath is a luxurious treat. The place is also tucked away in the suburb of Merewether, so you can get a sense of what life is like in Newcastle.
The oversized bathtub is a luxurious feature.
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.
Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.
From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.
From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)
Central Coast oyster experiences
From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.
But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.
Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.
Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)
Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.
Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)
Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit
While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.
Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.
Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .
If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.
Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)
Organic dining
What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.
The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.
Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.
See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.
Paddock-to-plate dining
High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.
Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.
Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)
Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.
Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.
Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)
