Follow the tunes to the heart of the Hunter region where the vibrant town of Newcastle sets the stage for a star studded Great Southern Nights line-up from 8-24 March. There's over a dozen headline gigs as part of the 17-night music festival, and when the music stops a delectable food and wine offering awaits.

Great Southern Nights Gigs

King Street Newcastle will be home to several Great Southern Nights' gigs including some of Australia’s biggest artists like electronic music duo Slumberjack (21 March), Full Flower Moon Band (22 March), and The Belair Lip Bombs (23 March). You’ll also catch the infectious sounds of Running Touch (23 March) and King Stingray (2 April), plus funk/hip hop band Winston Surfshirt (4 April). 

On Saturday 29 March 2025, Great Southern Nights brings an electrifying Gig Trail to Midtown Newcastle, transforming the heart of the city into a vibrant celebration of live music, street performances and late-night energy. 

Running from 2pm to 2am, this free, unticketed event will see seven diverse venues come alive with an eclectic mix of bands, solo artists, DJs, and roving performers. 

Eat and Drink

Blanca

The city’s newest dining experience in the harbourside Honeysuckle precinct. Inspired by the coastlines of Greece, Sicily, and Turkey, Blanca – the Mediterranean restaurant is a first of its kind for Newcastle. 

Vecina

From Newcastle’s Flotilla team is a new venue that brings a Spanish-style bar to Newcastle’s Wickham. Alongside bar snacks like beef tartare, chicken liver parfait and empanadas is a neat list of cocktails and on Wednesdays the venue’s charcoal grill is lit to put dry-aged steak on the menu.

The Beach Hotel

Newcastle's beloved beachside gem, The Beach Hotel, has officially reopened, marking the completion of it's three-phased restoration. Located in the heart of Merewether and steeped in decades of sun, salt and hearty community spirit, it re-emerges with the launch of new experiences including elevated seaside dining restaurant Peregrin, classical coastal fare in the main pub at The Beach Hotel and retro beachside takeaway, Larrie's all now open.

Signal Box

Take a seat at the elegant Signal Box in the Market Street Lawn precinct. Here, the food ethos centres on ingredients that can be hand-made in-house. Spend a long and languid lunchtime (or dinner) grazing on the likes of whole-roasted snapper and rock lobster mornay.

Light Years

Step into the palm filled oasis of Light Years Newcastle where you can delight your taste buds with vibrant, beachside-breezy Asian fare at the Newcastle instalment of Byron Bay-born eatery.

Earp Distilling Co.

Sample the house-made delicious spirits at the smart bar lined with barrels, set within an historic warehouse precinct in Carrington, a 10-minute drive north of the city centre. You can also unravel the mystery of distillation during one of the Earp’s masterclasses in the fine art of gin-making or learn how to best mix with rum or vodka.   

Brewcastle

Discover Newcastle’s finest craft beer scene with the Brewcastle Brewery Trail, your ultimate guide to the city's thriving breweries. From innovative microbreweries to iconic establishments, this trail highlights all the spots every beer lover needs to know.

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Learn about the old and the new

Cover plenty of ground from the city to the suburbs with an intimate boutique 'Discover Newcastle' day tour with Newy Tour Co., or discover the area’s history, street art and cafés with Newcastle Afoot walking tours.

Take in the city’s Pacific-gazing splendour from Fort Scratchley, which has stood sentry over Newcastle since 1882. Feel yourself drawn into the port city’s fascinating convict history as you learn how an incarcerated workforce created Australia’s first coal mine.  

Explore the outdoors

Take the plunge in Merewether Ocean Baths, or the revitalised Newcastle Ocean Baths, or dip into the ocean at one of the city’s sandy beaches. Then lace up your walking shoes and follow a self-guided walking trail, such as the 6km Bathers Way; the 5km Convict and Industry Walk; the 3.2km Shoreline Walk.

For an awe-filled adventure, jump on a custom-built vessel with CoastXP who offer sightseeing year-round and whale watching between June and October. 

Stay

Crystalbrook Kingsley

Immerse in the lavish interiors of the impeccably styled, sustainably-certified five-star hotel (the city’s first). Housed within a rotund, brutalist building, this destination hotel comes complete with a rooftop restaurant, Roundhouse. Let hours slip away as you indulge in Roundhouse’s dishes of beautifully compiled flavours while looking out over Nobby’s Beach or take in stunning city views from the hotel’s sleek Romberg’s bar. Located conveniently next door to the Newcastle Civic Theatre and Newcastle City Hall, Crystalbrook Kingsley's location is ideal for a range of shows and events.

QT Newcastle

Take your cue from hotel chain QT’s playfulness at the design-led hotel as you lean into the sleek aesthetic and quirkiness of your room, and be intrigued by the locally focused, contemporary Australian menu at the hotel’s restaurant, Jana, which features plates from the grill.  You can also grab a seat at the Rooftop at QT and take in Newcastle’s skyline, sip on an abundant array of gins and whiskys, cocktails and food with a Japanese twist.

Little National Hotel 

Book yourself a stay at the Little National Hotel and soak up its boutique stylish and inspiring surroundings. Located in close proximity to Bar, Newcastle and Susan Gilmore Beaches, head out to explore the sands, or enjoy the property's relaxing library and lounge, fitness centre, or restaurant and bar. 

Quest Newcastle 

Offering self-contained, air-conditioned apartments, as well as babysitting, pantry shopping and dry-cleaning services, Quest Newcastle is the ideal option for those that like to have home comforts during their stay. Located directly across from the Honeysuckle Light Rail stop, a 5-minute drive to Newcastle Beach, and a 25-minute drive to Newcastle Airport, 

Quest Newcastle West

Located in a fully refurbished 1876 Woods Castlemaine Brewery, Quest Newcastle West is the perfect getaway for those that love history. A gateway to the city, guests can walk to cafes, bars, and restaurants, or hop on the light rail, which is directly across the road, to explore further. 

Noahs on the Beach

Make the most of the city’s sandy shores by staying directly opposite Newcastle Beach in the city’s east – many of the rooms have floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto balconies. Let those holiday feelings take hold when you pop downstairs to the restaurant for sundowners.  

Novotel Newcastle Beach

If you’re looking for the the convenience of being within walking distance to all of Newcastle’s main attractions, stay on King Street. The Novotel offers 4.5-star oceanside comfort and has its own stylish Bistro Dalby.

Holiday Inn Express

Also on King Street is a more budget friendly option that features 170 well-designed rooms. It is also located right next to the Newcastle Interchange, the city’s major transport hub.  

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For more information on Great Southern Nights and to purchase tickets go to greatsouthernnights.com.au. Start planning your Great Southern Nights road trip and learn more about New South Wales’ diverse destinations and experiences at sydney.com and visitnsw.com.

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