Living in Newcastle

Newcastle and the Hunter

When you choose a career with the University of Newcastle you choose the relaxed and welcoming lifestyle that Newcastle and its surrounding regions offers.

As Australia's seventh largest city and the economic hub of the Hunter region, Newcastle is a centre for health, tourism, education, environmental services, manufacturing, retail, mining, information technology, export and finance. Newcastle boasts a robust economy while maintaining a comparatively low cost of living and excellent property values compared to Sydney. 

The region is well serviced by Newcastle Airport, and easily accessible by road and rail. Newcastle has a regional population of about 500,000 people, a thriving commercial sector, and an excellent network of health care and education facilities.

Home to both creative and sporting festivals, Newcastle has a vibrant artistic scene and offers many recreation opportunities. Newcastle's harbour waterfront is a popular leisure area for locals and visitors with an array of restaurants and casual cafes.

In 2011, Newcastle was selected as one of the top 10 cities in the world by Lonely Planet. The nearby Hunter Valley vineyards have been named in the top five wine destinations in the world and as the number one wine destination in the South Pacific by TripAdvisor.

Popular destinations such as Port Stephens, Barrington Tops National Park and Lake Macquarie, the largest coastal saltwater lake in Australia, are an easy day trip from the city.

Housing options are diverse, and include water frontages, rural acreages, suburban living, period homes and contemporary apartments. Harbourside development has revitalised much of the city, resulting in residential developments, alfresco dining and boutique shopping.

Newcastle offers world-class health care. The John Hunter Hospital, one of Australia's leading teaching hospitals, is the hub of health services in the region, and the recently upgraded Calvary Mater Hospital is a two-minute drive from the University campus.

The Newcastle region offers quality primary, secondary and tertiary education facilities. In addition to the University of Newcastle, TAFE NSW – Hunter Institute offers more than 450 courses, with around 64,000 annual enrolments. There is also a vast array of public and private schools in the Newcastle region, including four grammar schools.

Central Coast

Located halfway between Sydney and Newcastle, the Central Coast region has a population of over 300,000 and is home to the University of Newcastle Ourimbah Campus. Gosford is the largest city on the Central Coast and offers excellent shopping and sporting facilities.

The Central Coast's abundant natural attractions provide a perfect backdrop for relaxation. Six national parks are an easy day trip from Gosford, offering camping, bushwalking and sightseeing opportunities.

The Central Coast supports a thriving tourism industry. The agricultural sector is prosperous and the region has been able to attract a number of leading food manufacturers. The region's proximity to major cities has made the Central Coast an attractive living and recreation area.

Other locations

Port Macquarie

On the mid-north coast of NSW, the multisector Port Macquarie campus offers University nursing, teaching and foundation studies courses and TAFE programs.

Orange

Located in the Central West region of NSW, three and a half hours from Sydney, Orange is the location of the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health.  

Tamworth, Armidale, Taree and Moree

The University's Department of Rural Health and Rural Clinical School operates from various locations in northern NSW.

Sydney

At Bathurst Street in the centre of Sydney, the University offers postgraduate studies in business and professional accounting, and English language studies.

Singapore

The University offers a comprehensive range of degree programs in partnership with PSB Academy at a campus near Tiong Bahru MRT station.