A former industrial hub focused on coal and steel that’s grown to accommodate office workers and professionals, Newcastle hits the right spot for a weekend getaway or longer stays just 160 km north of Sydney. It’s known for the country’s oldest port, beaches such as Port Stephens, world-class wineries in Hunter Valley, a world-heritage listed rainforest Barrington Tops, Australia’s largest saltwater lake Lake Macquarie, and horse racing icons in the Upper Hunter.
Historically, early European convicts were sent to Newcastle to dig coal mines and the town remained a penal settlement until 1822 when it was opened up to farming and a free flow of pioneer-style settlers. Because of its coal, it became a mecca for small ships (known as “sixty-milers”) into its harbour. An era of heavy industry passed when steelworks closed in 1999.
Newcastle’s real estate is dotted with Victorian terrace houses, while modern apartments dominate the skyline, competing for views of the river or sea. Apartments range from art deco, to 70s brick and modern masterpieces. Separate houses are available, especially further out of town and in adjoining suburbs, where architect-designed homes are found.
Median houses are $1,332,500 as of October 31 and units $684,050 as of November 2. Due to its strong lifestyle amenities, the area has also enjoyed rising rental yields which largely outperform nearby Sydney, a plus for Newcastle landlords in recent years.
The Neighbours
A 2016 census showed Newcastle’s metropolitan population was 322, 278. The population of the city of Newcastle alone was 155,411 while Lake Macquarie had a population of 197,371. Newcastle has taken some economic and employment hits in recent history in and around recessions due to the dissolving of its heavy industry landscape, but has in recent years recovered.
Locals are predominantly hard-working professionals that manage to maintain a holiday air. Locals enjoy sports such as rugby, soccer, netball, ice hockey or cricket, and water sports including surfing, kite surfing, and kayaking.
Newcastle is attracting sea-changers at a fast rate. Apartment living is the norm in the city, and buying a place with great views is a real possibility.
Newcastle’s demographics are as follows: 32.7% Independent Youth, 18.2% Maturing and Established Independence, 14.1% Older Independence, 12.2% Older Couples and Families, 8.7% Elderly Singles, 5.8% Elderly Couples, 4.1% Maturing Couples and Families, 3.5% Established Couples & Families, 0.7% Young Families, and fewer Elderly Families.
Occupationally, 15 per cent are in Health Care/Social; 12 per cent are Professional/Technical, and 10 per cent are in Education and training.
The Commute
Two major arterials lead into the city – the M1 and Pacific Highway – plus there’s a regional airport (Newcastle Airport) 20 minutes from the CBD, and bus, train and taxi services throughout the city.
The city is accessible by air with several flights departing daily – Jetstar flies from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne, Virgin Australia from Brisbane and Melbourne, QantasLink from Brisbane, Rex Airlines from Sydney and Fly Pelican from Canberra, Sydney, Ballina / Byron Bay, Dubbo and Coffs Harbour.
The City also has world-class cycleways and walking tracks, while trains, buses and ferries are also accessible.
Working in Sydney is still a possibility for some locals. The car is the dominant mode of transport in and around the city.
In 2014 it was announced that trams would return to the city as a modern light rail system.
Shopping for the Family
A shopping hub in Newcastle City Centre is Marketown, which is a large shopping plaza in Newcastle West. The Darby Street Precinct is also a place to shop and dine. Other shopping hubs are Junction Fair and Charlestown Square. Be sure to check local favourite Newcastle City Farmers Market.
Located on the ground floor of the former David Jones department store, the Emporium is an arcade of boutique shops featuring the work of local artisans. Developed as part of the Renew Newcastle project, which makes use of empty buildings in the CBD, it sells bespoke millinery, ceramic jewellery and bohemian fashions to resin homewares.
The School Run
The oldest state school in the area (and indeed the country) is Newcastle East Public School, a primary school established in 1816.
Newcastle High School was formed by the merger of three schools, and was once founded on the grounds of Newcastle East Public School.
State schools include Hunter School of the Performing Arts (a selective K-12 school), Merewether High School (a selective high school in the suburb of Broadmeadow) and Hunter Sports High School (a partially selective sporting high school).
The two main independent schools in Newcastle are Newcastle Grammar School and St Philip’s Christian College, both coeducational K-12 schools, while the city’s tertiary education provider is the University of Newcastle.
There are also three Hunter Institute of TAFE campuses spread across the Newcastle metropolis.
What’s Going On?
There are many events in Newcastle happening right now including festivals and markets such as the Supercars 500, including the related events Entertain Newcastle and Supercars 2019, both held in November. Other notable festivals held in Newcastle include dance music event Live At The Foreshore, and annual events such as The Newcastle Regional Show, Mattara Festival, Newcastle Jazz Festival and national new media and arts festival This Is Not Art.
For more information about house and land packages in Newcastle, NSW, book a call with an iBuildNew representative.
Header image sourced: http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Explore/Recreation/Beaches-Baths/Beaches
Other images sourced: https://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/, https://www.mattarafestival.org.au/photos/
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Mark Bunker
Mark Bunker has an honours degree in Communications, Film & TV. Alongside a background in journalism, his interests include script writing and photography.
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