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Car
Parking availability across campus is limited and demand is particularly high during peak periods. Parking close to your destination may not always be available, especially when arriving shortly before a class, appointment or activity begins. We encourage everyone travelling to campus to plan ahead, allow extra time to reach their destination and explore the range of available transport options. Depending on your circumstances, these may include walking, cycling, public transport or ridesharing. For those who need to drive, a mix of free and paid parking is available where possible.
Callaghan campus is a large bushland area with 19 separate carparks made up of a mix of General, Staff and Reserved parking. Our campus parking areas are classed as General parking, except where signed. There are also operational parking areas to support the wide range of daily commercial and operational activity that occurs across campus. Be sure to read all local signage to ensure you are parked in the right location.
Peak parking demand
During Welcome Week and the first few weeks of semesters, please expect higher parking demand. To help ease pressure, we encourage everyone to carpool, use public transport, cycle or walk, or take advantage of the free campus shuttles. To support movement across campus, our shuttle fleet pick passengers up from shuttle stops around the Ring Road.
If you're a student or staff member, we recommend using the myUni app as a way of tracking the University shuttles and supporting your cross-campus travel. Our main carparks are Carpark 1, 2, 3 and 6 near University Drive, however there is often availability further into campus, even in peak periods.
Due to the high demand of most of our central campus areas, parking within the Ring Road is mostly Reserved, Accessible or Service/Loading bays only and usually requires specialised permits. See our Parking and Transport Map.
Free Parking
For 2027, we are increasing the total free car parks from 100 to 195 at Oval 5 and connecting that car park with our new, accessible Station shuttle. Oval 5 (through Car Park 13) is a large free, grassed car park near the Forum.
Car Park 14 is located on the eastern edge of the Callaghan campus and is serviced by the NUspace shuttle (this is its last stop before it heads into the City) or the Security shuttle.
Car Park 16 has 100 spaces and is located near Warabrook Station. Both the Security and the Station shuttle pick up from this car park.
Free parking is shown on MazeMaps and there are large blue signs at the entry to our free car parks.
Ticketed Parking
Outside of these hours, parking is free however you must adhere to carpark signage and traffic and parking rules. Unless you have a parking permit, the day rate (all-day parking fee) is $5.10. Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) is available at Carparks 9, 12, and 13 in The Forum area. Day parking tickets can be purchased via ticket machines* on campus, or via the online payment system, CellOPark App.
For more information on accessible parking, traffic parking and rules, and parking infringements visit the parking page.
* The ticket machines accept coins but do not give change. Accepts all cards except American Express, Apple and Samsung Pay are accepted
Permit Parking
Parking permits are available for staff, students, residents and other user groups. Our online parking permit management system vPermit allows University of Newcastle staff, students, residents, and other user groups to apply for and manage their parking permit online (eligibility conditions apply). The system uses license plate recognition at Callaghan Campus.
More information on permit parking
Express Zones
Express bays at Callaghan Campus are 20-minute parking bays made to make your trip to campus more convenient and stress-free. Express bays are a convenient stop while grabbing a coffee, returning a library book or dropping your child into one of the childcare centres across campus.
You can park in one of our Express zones at Shortland Union (Carpark 5) and have free parking for 20 minutes.
Loading Zones
To assist with quick loading and accessibility to central commercial and operational areas, we have loading zones across campus. The bays are usually restricted to a time frame of 30 minutes to allow the bay to be available for other users or emergency vehicles when required. See the Callaghan Campus Loading Zones Map for locations.
Loading Zones retain their status all hours, 7 days a week. Vehicles parked in a loading zone longer than the designated period risk a fine.
Meeting Points
Callaghan Campus is large and can be difficult to navigate if you are new to the campus or area. Across the Campus, there are nominated meeting points called Pick-up/Drop-off zones. These points are in convenient locations and can be used by Taxi, Uber and other Ride apps as well as the NRMA and family and friends.
Pick Up/Drop Off Zones can be found on MazeMaps or just drop a pin and share your location on Google Maps.
Pick up/Drop off zones are for short stay events only, the driver should not leave the car. See the Pick up/Drop off Zones Map for locations. Taxis and Ride vendors like Uber or DiDi are eligible to park in Pick Up/Drop Off bays for short periods.
Rideshare
The University of Newcastle has partnered with Liftango*, an exclusive ridesharing app, to make your trip to and from Callaghan Campus as hassle-free as possible. Plus, Liftango has partnered with Pachama to offset the emissions of every trip made by drivers and passengers using their carpool technology.
* This app is available for University of Newcastle staff and students only.
Electric Vehicle Charging
The University has supported the transition to electric vehicles for many years by providing charging stations our campuses. We continue to support this important and growing industry by maintaining charging infrastructure for our University community and our expanding fleet of electric vehicles.
Charging costs 40 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) when using the public EV charge stations. Charging bays have a four-hour time limit to help manage demand and provide equitable access for all users. Once your vehicle is charged or the four-hour limit has been reached, please move it so that another driver can use the charging station. Vehicles that remain beyond the time limit while not actively charging or plugged in may be subject to an infringement. If you move your vehicle to another parking bay, please ensure you have a valid parking permit or ticket.
The public charging stations are located in Carpark 4, opposite the Chancellery, and Carpark 6, opposite the Gallery. They are powered by our sector-leading 100% solar electricity agreement with Red Energy, supporting lower-emissions transport across the University.
Electric vehicle charging Charge station operating instructions
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.