| Newcastle is a great town on the New South Wales | | | | huge area of beach all to yourself. Just remember |
| about an hour north of the state capital, Sydney. | | | | that swimming on any beaches in Australia can be |
| It's also a hidden gem that is rarely visited by tourists | | | | dangerous so if you want to swim, remember to find |
| or visitors yet is a fantastic place to explore by | | | | a patrolled beach and to swim between the flags. |
| rental car. While there is public transport available, the | | | | If you want to go further afield by hire car, then |
| convenience of hiring a car is well appreciated by | | | | Sydney is just down the road about an hour. The |
| most visitors to this area. | | | | really popular place to go though is the Hunter Valley |
| The town of Newcastle itself has a lot of different | | | | wine region to the west and north-west of |
| restaurants and cafes and is well served by | | | | Newcastle. It is here that you will find many of |
| accommodation for most budgets. The real secret of | | | | Australia's famous vineyards and wineries and it is a |
| Newcastle though is its 13 pristine beaches in the | | | | popular area for a day trip for visitors from |
| east of the city. | | | | Newcastle and Sydney. |
| For anyone who loves swimming, surfing, fishing or | | | | Just remember that Australia has very strict |
| just running along unspoilt beaches, Newcastle is a | | | | drink-driving laws so if you are going to go on a wine |
| dream come true. The best part about the beaches | | | | tasting tour, remember to do it with friends and have |
| is that they are relatively unknown and most | | | | a designated driver who doesn't drink. |
| certainly under-utilised so you are likely to have a | | | | |