Life in Australia
In every corner of Australia you’ll find unique experiences and landscapes bursting with colour, culture and natural beauty. With a top quality of life and unrivalled natural settings, Australia is the ideal destination.
Newcastle is a vibrant coastal city and the second largest city in the state of New South Wales, two and a half hours north of Sydney. With much to see and do, you will be warmly welcomed to explore a variety of authentic experiences, Australian lifestyle and culture.
For international students living in Newcastle, the city:
- offers a more affordable cost of living
- is friendly and safe
- has good work opportunities available
Welcome to Australia
Locations & lifestyles
The University of Newcastle has several campus locations, each with their own lifestyle and attractions:
Newcastle - Once a working-class, no-nonsense destination, Newcastle is now a culinary and artistic hot-spot that’s also home to some of the best beaches in the whole country.
Central Coast - Unleash your adventurous side, discover pristine beaches, explore nature trails or just relax and unwind.
Port Macquarie - Located on the Mid North Coast of NSW, boasting 17 gorgeous beaches, a lush hinterland, a diverse variety of attractions.
Sydney - A wonderland of beautiful beaches, historical sites, fabulous shows, delicious restaurants and much more.
Nearby Newcastle
Surrounding Newcastle are regional attractions including:
- Lake Macquarie - Australia's largest coastal saltwater lagoon
- Port Stephens - A collection of seaside villages with beautiful sand dunes
- Hunter Valley - stunning vineyards, valleys and gourmet eateries
- Barrington Tops - a world-heritage listed rainforest popular for bushwalking, kayaking, abseiling and mountain biking.
Entertainment
There are many low-cost and free activities for you and your friends to do together around the city. here are some ideas to start with:
- Rent a bike, ride along the coast and watch for whales in winter
- Hang out with koalas and kangaroos at Blackbutt Nature Reserve or the Hunter Valley Zoo
- Pick up some tasty fresh produce at Newcastle Food and Flower Markets
- Explore arts and history at Newcastle's Muesuem, Art Gallery or Civic Theatre
- Be spotted for talent singing your heart out at karaoke nights and venues across Newcastle
- Enjoy a boutique shopping experience on Darby Street or visit our major shopping malls
Food
With a range of mouth-watering restaurants, bars and cafes, Newcastle has cuisines to suit all tastes. The two main destinations for food lovers are Darby Street in Cooks Hill and Beaumont Street in Hamilton. Here are some local favourites to try:
- Darby Street - Goldbergs, Three Monkeys or Autumn Rooms (Cafes), Le Dynasty (Chinese) or Darby Raj (Indian)
- Beaumont Street - Mockingbird (Cafe), El Nonno (Italian), Kings XI (Indian) or Eight Buns (Chinese)
- Elsewhere in Newcastle - Ginger Meg's (Asian Fusion). MEET (Brazilian), Grand Pavilion (Indian) or Glebe Takeaway (Fish and Chips)
- Best beach views - try cafes including Estabar, Newcastle Beach Kiosk or Merewether Surfhouse
Sport
The people of Newcastle, known as Novocastrians, love a range of sports. You can get involved and:
- Watch the Newcastle Knights (rugby league) or the Newcastle Jets (football) at McDonald Jones Stadium
- Play cricket, tennis, netball, basketball, baseball, hockey, badmington, football/soccer and more around the city
- Swim indoors or outdoors, at swimming pools, coastal baths or patrolled beaches
- Work out with students discounts at The Forum gyms based at Callaghan campus and in the city
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Connectivity and getting around
An award-winning smart city, Newcastle has embraced innovation and technology throughout its inner-city infrastructure.
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.