Newcastle Activities

Things to do in Newcastle NSW run from tandem skydives over Lake Macquarie to helicopter flights past Nobbys Head, whale watching and dinner cruises on the water, and full-day Hunter Valley wine tours that start in the city. The options below are grouped by what kind of day you're after.

Skydiving and helicopter flights over Newcastle

Skydive Newcastle runs tandem jumps of up to 15,000ft from Belmont Airport, with up to 60 seconds of freefall and views across Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and the coast. There are three bookings to choose from: a weekday skydive, a weekday skydive with transfers and a weekend skydive. Our Newcastle skydiving page compares them.

For a gentler view, the 12 Minute Newcastle Scenic Helicopter Flight For Two flies over Nobbys Head, Bar Beach and Merewether Baths. It comes with a guaranteed window seat and in-flight commentary, and runs seven days a week from Mayfield West.

Whale watching and dinner cruises on Lake Macquarie

The Lake Macquarie Whale Watching Cruise is a two-hour trip from Chalmers Street Jetty in Swansea, running during the whale season from May to November. Keep an eye out for dolphins and long-nosed fur seals on the way out through Swansea Channel.

In the evening, the Lake Macquarie Sunset Dinner Cruise serves a BBQ with local king prawns while the sun sets behind the Watagan Mountains. It sails on Friday and Saturday evenings. More boats are listed under Newcastle cruises.

Hunter Valley wine tours from Newcastle

The Taste of the Hunter Valley From Newcastle tour leaves Ampol Cameron Park at 9:45am and visits three boutique wineries and distilleries. Expect cheese and wine and chocolate and wine pairings, gin, vodka and liqueur tastings, and lunch with a drink, with about eight hours door to door.

If you're already staying in the valley, the Taste of the Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Hunter Valley picks up from select hotels in Cessnock, Abermain and Aberdare and takes about six hours. For distillery tastings inside Newcastle itself, see the Newcastle food and drinks page.

Choosing between Newcastle activities

Time is the quickest way to narrow it down. The helicopter flight takes 12 minutes, the whale watching cruise two hours, the dinner cruise about two and a half, a skydive around four hours from check-in to landing, and the wine tours between six and eight. Two big activities in one day is a stretch, so pair a short one with a long one.

For couples, the helicopter flight is booked for two and the dinner cruise is an evening out. The skydive and the wine tours each take most of a day, so give them their own date.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main activities in Newcastle NSW?

Newcastle activities include tandem skydiving at Belmont Airport, scenic helicopter flights over Nobbys Head and Bar Beach, whale watching and dinner cruises on Lake Macquarie, and Hunter Valley wine tours from Newcastle.

How long does a Newcastle skydive take?

A Newcastle tandem skydive takes about four hours in total, including check-in, training and the jump. Skydives operate daily from 8am.

Can you do a Hunter Valley wine tour from Newcastle?

Yes. The Taste of the Hunter Valley From Newcastle tour departs from Ampol Cameron Park at 9:45am and takes about eight hours, with three boutique wineries and distilleries and a lunch.

Are there things to do in Newcastle for couples?

Yes. The 12 Minute Newcastle Scenic Helicopter Flight is booked for two people, and the Lake Macquarie Sunset Dinner Cruise seats guests at tables for a BBQ dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Can kids join the Hunter Valley wine tours from Newcastle?

No. The Taste of the Hunter Valley tours state that all guests must be over 18 and may be asked for proof of age. Kids can join the Lake Macquarie Whale Watching Cruise, which lists a child ticket.

Local tip: Belmont Airport, where skydive check-in happens, is about a 30 minute drive from Newcastle, so build the drive into your morning before an early session.

Skydive, helicopter flight, whale season or a day among the Hunter Valley cellar doors, it's all bookable from Newcastle. Pick one and lock it in. All good days are waiting.