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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Where to eat, sleep and visit on Grand Pacific Drive, and beyond

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

    But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

    Shellharbour Marina
    Spend time in Shellharbour Marina.

    Where to eat

    What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

    Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

    Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

    Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

    Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

    Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

    bangalay dining shoalhaven
    Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

    Exploring nature

    Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

    Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

    The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton.
    Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

    Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

    Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

    For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

    kiama coast walk people with dog
    Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

    Unique experiences

    No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

    Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum .  Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

    If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

    Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

    Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine.  Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

    Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

    Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood.
    Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Where to stay

    Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

    Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

    Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

    Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

    For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

    Cicada Luxury Camping
    Unwind at Cicada Luxury Camping. (Image: DNSW)

    Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.