Get out and about these school holidays on Newcastle Transport

Wondering what to do these school holidays? Why not get out and about on Newcastle Transport? There are lots of places to explore and you can make a day of it on bus, ferry and light rail.

Check out some of our suggestions and hop on the bus, ferry or light rail to get there – just remember to tap on and off with your Opal, credit/debit card or contactless device.

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Newcastle Museum 

Discover Newcastle Museum at your own pace or book a group tour to learn about science and Newcastle’s history through the ages. This month, don’t miss out on exploring the Australia in Space exhibition developed by Questacon.

Take the light rail to the Civic Stop and walk 250m to arrive at Newcastle Museum. Or catch the bus with routes 11, 13, 14 and 23 travelling along King Street.

Explore Stockton and let out some energy

Enjoy a family day out exploring Stockton. Let the kids use some of their energy at Stockton Playground & Skate Park, before refuelling at a range of local cafes and eateries in Stockton and then take a walk along Shipwreck Walk (break wall) to spot the Shipwrecks.

The ferry operates between terminals at Newcastle, Queens Wharf and Stockton Wharf with services every 15 minutes during peak periods and 20 minutes throughout the day and weekends. The ferry is only a 200m walk from Queens Wharf light rail stop or around 350m walk from buses arriving at King St at Perkins Street.

Summer at Hunter Wetlands

Not only can you explore the native flora and fauna in a canoe, there is also a program of school holiday activities taking place until 28 January.

You can get to the Hunter Wetlands Centre with Newcastle Transport. The route 47 stops at Marton St at Sandgate Rd and is approximately a 6 minute (500m) walk from to the Wetlands entry to enjoy a few hours in nature.

If you are travelling from the CBD, you can connect with the route 47 at the bus stop on Hunter Street at National Park Street. If you are travelling from elsewhere in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area you can use the routes 11, 12, 23 or 24 to connect with the route 47 at Stockland Jesmond.

Visit Blackbutt Reserve 

Head to Blackbutt to explore animal feeding, nature trails, wildlife exhibits, children’s playground, and recreational facilities. Get there by catching the route 11, 13, 25 or 26, only a short walk from the entry! 

Explore Fort Scratchley 

Explore Fort Scratchley through a guided tour or visit the interactive museum to learn about 200 years of history in Newcastle. Guided tours are offered at regular intervals each day the fort is open, check tour times here.

Take the route 23 to Nobbys Beach, only a 350m walk to Fort Scratchley or take the routes 11, 13 and 14 to connect with the route 23 at Customs House.

Escape to the beach

Which beach will you choose?

• Newcastle Beach – Newcastle light rail
• Bar Beach – routes 14 and 21
• Merewether Beach – routes 12 and 21
• Nobbys Beach – route 23
• Dudley Beach – On Demand
• Redhead Beach – route 48 and On Demand
• Blacksmiths Beach – routes 14 and 29
• Caves Beach – route 14

Photo by Kat Stanley Photography – Caves Beach

Head inside to escape the heat

Escape the heat at Westfield Kotara or Charlestown Square, which both have an extensive variety of entertainment, shops and restaurants. The route 14 travels directly to Westfield Kotara and Charlestown Square with services every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends.  

There are a number of other bus routes that can get you there, depending on where you are travelling from.

To plan your trip, use or to find your favourite travel app here. 

Happy holidaying, Newcastle!