Sustainable Cities and Communities
Public Access to Green Spaces
In 2025, the University of Newcastle continued to provide free public access to a range of open and green spaces across our campuses.
The University of Newcastle is proud to provide the broader community with free access to open spaces, green areas and walking routes that encourage outdoor recreation, connection with nature and an active lifestyle. The University welcomes the local community into Callaghan’s green spaces as part of its everyday campus environment, not only for organised events.
Callaghan Campus – A Bushland Setting Open to All
Our largest campus, Callaghan, is situated on approximately 140 hectares of grounds with remnant native bushland, wetlands, landscaped lawns and teaching facilities. It is open to the public year-round and offers a welcoming environment for walking, recreation, and quiet reflection.
Callaghan campus wetlands, along Don Morris walk.
The campus has walking tracks throughout the bushland, suitable for fitness and leisure, as well as shared pedestrian paths linking outdoor spaces, teaching areas and community facilities. Open lawn areas, shaded spaces, and picnic-friendly environments for families and individuals provide further places to enjoy the outdoors. Our established community-access arrangements allow visitors to explore public outdoor areas without an admission fee.
Wetlands pavilion, Callaghan campus.
Callaghan’s freshwater wetlands and native vegetation are also part of a living landscape. Public walking routes enable visitors to experience its bushland and wetland surroundings, while designated habitat-conservation areas are managed to protect sensitive ecosystems rather than functioning as unrestricted recreation space.
Scenic walking trails and cultural heritage
The Birabahn Cultural Trail is an approximately 100-metre walk between the Chancellery–Shortland precinct and the Birabahn Building, home to the Wollotuka Institute. Interpretive signs share the long connection between the Pambalong Clan of the Awabakal Nation and the Callaghan site, adding a cultural learning experience to a freely accessible outdoor walk.
Behind the Engineering Precinct, the Don Morris Walk passes through native bushland and wetlands. Named in recognition of a former University Planner who helped retain the campus’s natural character, the trail provides an opportunity for both recreation and appreciation of local habitat. The University also publishes publicly accessible campus maps and walking information to help visitors locate these routes.
Green spaces at Ourimbah and Newcastle City
Our Central Coast campus at Ourimbah is set among bushland, with shared paths for walking and cycling and outdoor gathering spaces. Established community gardens at Callaghan and Ourimbah provide spaces for growing produce, learning and social connection; the 2021 Green Campus Map identifies the Callaghan garden near Oval 4 and the Ourimbah garden beside the library. Participation in organised gardening activities may have separate arrangements from general access to campus grounds.
Central Coast campus at Ourimbah.
At Newcastle City Campus, the NUspace Campus Green and adjacent public walkway provide landscaped outdoor space within the city precinct. The University’s venue information describes a public pedestrian connection alongside the grassed area between Hunter Street and Christie Place.
Public enjoyment alongside responsible stewardship
The University of Newcastle is actively committed to sustainable landscape management, and our open spaces are designed to be both ecologically responsible and socially inclusive.
Campus green spaces include ordinary walking routes and places to sit and relax, while the University also manages areas of native vegetation and wetland habitat. Some sports fields, courts and other recreation facilities require booking or paid hire; these are distinct from free access to general campus green spaces.
By welcoming visitors into its bushland paths, landscaped grounds and cultural walking trails, the University makes valued outdoor spaces available to the wider community. These places support recreation, cultural learning and connection with local natural environments throughout the year.
Callaghan campus has a wide range of food, shops and bars for students staff and the community to enjoy. See the full list of locations for more information.
The University is home to the kind of sporting facilities where elite athletes are proud to train.
- Newcastle Callaghan: The Forum – University Drive, Callaghan
The Forum, University is an extensive and contemporary sports complex. Its facilities include a 50m indoor heated pool, an 18m climbing wall (the second highest in Australia), a fully equipped gymnasium, and two competition indoor courts for sports such as basketball and volleyball.
There are many membership options including flexible payment options, Direct Debit or Upfront. Fitness passports are also able to be used at the Forum.
- The University Gallery - The University Gallery presents curated exhibitions and touring shows that promote an awareness of contemporary artists, communities and disciplines as well as exhibitions by postgraduate students.
- The Senta Taft-Hendry Museum - Located beneath the University Gallery, this museum houses an extensive and diverse collection of artefacts dating back to the 1950s telling the story of Senta Taft-Hendry's travels to the Pacific Islands and remote Australia.
More than just buildings full of books (although we have those too) the University’s libraries are vast, interconnected sources of knowledge, with extensive online databases, spaces for individual or group study, and knowledgeable staff who are ready to assist you.
The University's largest library is based at the Callaghan campus.
Spanning four levels, Auchmuty Library contains an extensive collection of resources including the Law and Biomedicine libraries. It is located near the Shortland Union Building.
KU Children's Services childcare centres operate at our Callaghan campus. Most are community-based centres that are open to the general public as well as staff and students.
Callaghan campus
- KU Kintaiba Child Care Centre
- KU Kooinda Work Based Child Care Centre (for the children of students and staff only)
- KU Wonnayba Child Care Centre
If you require emergency or out-of-hours childcare services in Newcastle and the Central Coast regions include:
The hubs are undercover, secure bike storage spaces with end of trip facilities and bike repair equipment.
You need to swipe your student or staff card to gain entry to the hubs.
Facilities
Storage racks
Bikes can be stored in one of the two types of bike storage racks available. The racks are allocated on a first-come basis and any locks left on racks without bikes will be removed. Bikes left in the hubs for over a week will be removed.
Lockers
The lockers are individually protected by your chosen four-digit pin. The lockers are programmed to automatically unlock at midnight every night, so be sure to remove your personal items before then.
Showers
Single-occupant unisex shower cubicles with separate change spaces are part of all our hubs. You will need to bring your own toiletries and towels.
Security
CCTV cameras operate outside the hubs, and the facilities are included in regular campus security patrols.
Locations
Callaghan: Bike Hub East is located at the front of the Student Services Centre, whilst Bike Hub West is at the front of the Social Sciences Building. Click on the campus map to view the location of the bike hubs, or to find one of the dozens of bike racks located around campus.
Hours of operation
The facilities are available 24/7.
Bike Repair
Bike Love Corral operates out of Bike Hub East. The entrance is located on the opposite side of building from the main entrance, directly in front of the car park.
The workshop provides bike servicing and hire and is a great meeting place for other cycling enthusiasts.
While much of the university experience is shared no matter what your degree, aspects of your time will be determined by what you are studying.
So to make sure you are getting the most of your degree – have access to all the right resources, are aware of the right people, and are informed about any prizes or scholarships for which you may be eligible – it’s good to know which school you belong to and where the office is.
For international students, UON Global are the team dedicated to ensuring you make the most of your time not only at the University, but in Australia.
UON Global will get you settled in, organise opportunities to meet new people, and assist you to understand forms and official documents – whether they’re concerning your studies or your visa.
We want to help make your experience at the University one of the best and most memorable times of your life.
Welcome to Makerspace!
The Makerspace is where makers, designers, engineers, programmers, creatives, avid tinkerers and all can work on projects, collaborate, share ideas, and problem solve.
It doesn’t matter which degree you’re completing – everyone is welcome!
The space features -
- powered work spaces,
- 3D printers,
- a sewing machine,
- tools,
- a soldering station,
- lockable storage and much more!
The Makerspace is open from 8am - 8pm, Monday to Friday and requires swipe card access.
Location
Callaghan Campus, BSC125 (within the Architecture Precinct)
How do I get access?
To gain swipe card access, login to your UONline Blackboard and enrol in the FEBE-MAKERSPACE course and complete the Makerspace Health & Safety Induction Module and Quiz.
Makerspace Student Group
If you would like to connect with some like-minded students, you can also join the Makerspace student group.
Contact Us
Priscilla Tan, Makerspace Coordinator
FEBE-Makerspace@newcastle.edu.au
02 4921 5812
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Callaghan campus is home to countless learning spaces – both for formal classes and lectures, as well as informal catch-ups for group or individual study.
While many spaces you can feel free to use at any time, some may require a booking:
- Our libraries have a number of group study rooms and study booths available for bookings and there is also a rang of quiet or collaborative spaces within the library or throughout the campus.
- Faculties and schools have rooms and spaces for bookings that are related to your study such as production rooms, drama theatres etc. See your faculty or school for more information.
- General access computer labs are available for student use, with no need for a booking. See IT support for more information.
- For functions and larger events see Hire our facilities.
Accessibility spaces on campus
Students with a disability have a huge range of services available, such as exam and assessment support, equipment and furniture loans, and parking permits.
We provide medical centres staffed by doctors and nurses at our Callaghan campus.
Our medical centre is similar to a general doctors surgery and are open to both university students and staff, as well as the general public. We are happy to see you about any issue that concerns you but some of the areas we can help include:
- treatment of illnesses and injuries
- women's health care including contraception, pap smears, pregnancy testing and advice, and antenatal care
- testing and counselling for sexually transmitted infections
- vaccinations, including travel immunisations and advice
- immunisations required for students in health related programs
- skin checks
- assistance with emotional and personal difficulties
- mental health services including psychologists, mental health nurse and specialist psychiatrist
- referral to specialists, imaging services, pathology, and physiotherapy
All consultations are strictly confidential. Patients covered by Medicare are bulk billed. You will need to present your Medicare card and a current Centrelink Health Care Card (if applicable) at all consultations.
Meet our doctors
(MBBS, Family Planning Association Certificate, Workcover Authorised Medical Practitioner) Dr Stephanie Brookman is the Medical Director of the Health Service, has special interests in Occupational Health and Travel Medicine. | (MBBS) Dr Carolyn Hackworthy has a special interest in Women's Health. |
(MBBS, FRACGP, Family Planning Association Certificate) Dr Sally Gaunson has special interest in Women's Health and Paediatrics. | (MBBS, DipRACOG, DFFP, FRACGP)
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(MBBS, FRACGP DipRACOG, Dip Anaesth (UK) Dr Michael Schien is a GP with a special interest in skin disorders, including screening for skin cancer. Most excisions are done on site. He also undertakes regular rural locum work in anaesthesia and emergency medicine. | (BMed, Dip RACOG) Dr Nerida Paterson has a special interest in Women's Health and Paediatrics. |
| (B Med, FRACGP, B Speech Pathology) Dr Wee speaks Malay, Hokkien and enjoys all aspects of general practice. | (MBBS, FRACGP) Dr Kumran Salam has an interest in Women's Health, Preventative Medicine and Paediatrics. |
Dr Catherine Faehrmann (MBBS, FRANZCP) Dr Catherine Faehrmann is a Consultant Psychiatrist, visiting the Health Service Tuesday mornings. |
Your time at the University of Newcastle can be one of the most rewarding periods of your life, but it’s also a time when you will probably need a range of support and advice. Students who actively seek help during their studies are more likely to be successful in managing their life – both at and outside uni – so it’s one of the smartest things you can do.
It’s also common to need extra support, so you won’t be alone if you utilise the services available.
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.