7 Airbnbs in Newcastle (and beyond) nestled in nature

Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
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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.

a private tub at The Beach House at Merewether
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.

the living room interior at The River Haus, Newcastle
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.

bedroom at The Little Kilgour, Newcastle airbnb
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.

the Airbnb with reading nook at Home in Cooks Hill
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.

dining with views of Newcastle beach at Executive Beach Apartment
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 notice when 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.

a room with balcony overlooking Newcastle beach at Seascape
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.

two glasses of wine on the table by the fireplace at Beach Retreat, Merewether Beach
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 bathtub at Beach Retreat, Merewether Beach
The oversized bathtub is a luxurious feature.
Carla Grossetti
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.
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Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .