Newcastle / Port Stephens Accommodtion suggestions

[DontGetMeStarted]

Hi All

Will be in Newcastle from the 25th Jan for 4 nights and looking for decent accommodation preferably close to the beach/don't mind self contained. Will have a car so can go out a little further if need by
Amy suggestions for day trips too...TIA

 

[Princess Fiona]

The Novotel is the closet hotel to Newcastle Beach. The Crowne Plaza is a bit nicer but not as close to the beach (10-15 minute walk along the wharf).
Day trips that are worthwhile are Hunter Valley wineries and Port Stephens for Dolphin watching. Lake Macquarie is also beautiful.
There would be a lot of self-contained accommodation on Stayz.
Beach wise Merewether, Dixon Park, Bar Beach are all close to town and I think a fair bit nicer than Newcastle Beach. I might be a bit biased though !!

 

[Andyzx]

The Novotel is the closet hotel to Newcastle Beach

2nd this option, has a pool gym etc. Plenty of food places and pubs close by.
Has car parking but also some street parking at night - during the day its metered.

 

[eric2011]

I've stayed numerous times at the Crowne Plaza. Plenty of bars, restaurants etc and as others have said about 10 min walk along the waterfront to the beach. Also very handy to downtown

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

The Novotel is the closet hotel to Newcastle Beach. The Crowne Plaza is a bit nicer but not as close to the beach (10-15 minute walk along the wharf).
Day trips that are worthwhile are Hunter Valley wineries and Port Stephens for Dolphin watching. Lake Macquarie is also beautiful.
There would be a lot of self-contained accommodation on Stayz.
Beach wise Merewether, Dixon Park, Bar Beach are all close to town and I think a fair bit nicer than Newcastle Beach. I might be a bit biased though !!

Thanks all. The Novotel it is Now for some pleasant weather

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

With a car, head up to Strzelecki Headland early one morning just after sunrise for a spectacular walk along the Newcastle Memorial Walk. An absolute amazing recent addition to Newcastle.

Newcastle Memorial Walk - Newcastle City Council

The Fernleigh Track is also another gem, although less well known.
Ideal for a walk, Jog or cycle along this old 16km long railway track, restored into a public footpath/cycle way, complete with a great Tunnel under Adamstown.

Fernleigh Track – cycleway & walkway in Lake Macquarie | HUNTERhunter

And as other have said, Lake Macquarie, Port Stehens and Cessnock/ Pokolbin are all well worth exploring.

 

[EestiTiger]

I used to live at Salamander Bay just around the corner from Nelson Bay. It is a lovely spot and a great option for a day trip. We used to jump on the ferry and head over to Tea Gardens for a lunch at the pub. It is lovely being out on the bay.

Port Stephens Ferry Service | Ferry Link & Dolphin Watch Cruises – Nelson Bay – Hawks Nest – Tea Gardens – Port Stephens Ferry Timetable

The shark and ray centre is pretty cool too Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters

 

[Buzzard]

Bobs Farm near Nelson Bay used to be my second home thus I agree with ozmatt.
There are nice secluded beaches around Nelson Bay, Fingal Bay, Shoal Bay, Birubi Beach is nice for breakfast on the beach.
If you go up to the lighthouse at Nelson Bay, it used to be my friends house.

If you go to Bayside Jewellers in Nelson Bay tell the owner (Gumnut) that Buzzard sent ya

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Just spent a night at QT Newcastle - WOW - just WOW - what a fabulous hotel - what a fabulous stay.

12mths ago we stayed at Crystalbrook but QT just slaughters it - a no brainer when looking for NTL hotel.

Morning of dep from MEL to NTL I got a call from QT to inform a forced change of room due to leaking pipes and damage to a number of rooms - we were moved from Corner Suite to a room of similar size but less view - comp was reduction in rate from $459 to $300!

Rate reduction is not the reason I am raving about QT - it is just a beautiful fun hotel in design and operation - staff were fabulous - we were also given a ‘Pamper Pack’ consisting of a bottle of red / 2 x pack nuts / pack Maltesers / can Coke + can sofa water - not sure why we got it but we did.

Jana Restaurant onsite we really good also even though they did not miss on pricing both food and wine.

 

[SYD]

Just spent a night at QT Newcastle - WOW - just WOW - what a fabulous hotel - what a fabulous stay.

12mths ago we stayed at Crystalbrook but QT just slaughters it - a no brainer when looking for NTL hotel.

Morning of dep from MEL to NTL I got a call from QT to inform a forced change of room due to leaking pipes and damage to a number of rooms - we were moved from Corner Suite to a room of similar size but less view - comp was reduction in rate from $459 to $300!

Rate reduction is not the reason I am raving about QT - it is just a beautiful fun hotel in design and operation - staff were fabulous - we were also given a ‘Pamper Pack’ consisting of a bottle of red / 2 x pack nuts / pack Maltesers / can Coke + can sofa water - not sure why we got it but we did.

Jana Restaurant onsite we really good also even though they did not miss on pricing both food and wine.

I grew up just a short crawl up the hill from there (it used to be the local DJs). Lots of positive reviews of it since opening in ‘22?