Category: Newcastle News

More than 35,000 tourists will be invited to experience the best of Newcastle’s east end thanks to an initiative taking advantage of the record-breaking cruise season, which is expected to inject $7 million into the local economy.

The Passenger Experience Project is hoping to tap into the economic windfall by transporting cruise visitors via a shuttle bus loop every 20 minutes from the Visitor Information Centre to the corner of Hunter and Watt Street, where they can explore boutique businesses, galleries, cafes and restaurants.

Newcastle East business ambassadors Janice Musumeci, Henry Walker and Rita DiRenzo with the new shuttle bus, which began operation today as part of the Passenger Experience Project.

It is one of 16 projects to share in $925,000 of funding through the latest round of City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rates (SBR) program.

Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said it was exciting to see innovative approaches being delivered to support the city’s business precincts.

“Watching these mammoth vessels pull through the headland and into our beautiful Newcastle Harbour brings with it a certain sense of excitement,” Cr Morris said.

“For businesses in the east end, this project will ensure the arrival of the cruise ships generates a new level of economic opportunity alongside this excitement.

“The Special Business Rates program is specifically designed to benefit businesses in the City Centre, Hamilton, New Lambton and Wallsend and the Passenger Experience Project is a fantastic example of this.”

The 113,561-tonne Crown Princess sailed into the Harbour this morning as the first of 18 cruise ships scheduled to visit Newcastle between October 2026 and April 2027.

The Crown Princess sailed into Newcastle Harbour today as the record-breaking cruise season officially begins.

The Passenger Experience Project draws on proven models from Darwin and Port Adelaide, where comparable programs have successfully dispersed cruise visitors into retail precincts and lifted local expenditure.

It was developed in consultation with precinct businesses, the Newcastle Visitor Centre, Destination NSW, the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group and City of Newcastle.

Around 20 local businesses are already onboard, offering special cruise passenger deals to improve visitor access and encourage exploration.

Chair of the East End Collective, Lukas Thodas, said the project will help traders tap into a lucrative opportunity.

“Destination NSW data shows cruise passengers spend an average of $197 onshore per person,” Mr Thodas said.

“By bringing people to the east end, we’ll increase foot traffic, dwell time and spending at participating local businesses.

“Our traders were keen to capitalise on the record-breaking cruise season, but many were unsure how to draw visitors into the precinct.

“The 24-seater shuttle bus will do loops every 20 minutes on days the cruise ships are in port to pick up passengers and drop them in the east end, giving businesses a coordinated pathway to capture that spend.

“Beyond the cruise season, the branded digital and printed resources will continue promoting Newcastle East businesses year-round, delivering lasting value beyond the life of the project.”

Beyond the Passenger Experience Project, the latest round of SBR funding will also support the creation of a New Lambton Fair in May 2027, featuring food trucks, live music, family entertainment, community performances and heritage storytelling.

The popular Winterheat Festival will return in 2027, while other community favourites such as Newcastle Fringe Festival, West Best Bloc Fest, Newcastle Tuna & Seafood Festival and Newcastle Food Month also received SBR funding.

The western suburbs will become a destination for events, including the return of the Halloween-themed large scale family event Wallsend Frights and the delivery of 10 new “Hot Shots” community events on the last Saturday of the month offering live music, food and opportunities for local small businesses or makers.

Other supported initiatives include an immersive public art experience in Hunter Street Mall, the Midtown Safety and Visitor Experience Program and a Newcastle Accessible Tourism AI Mapping Project.

Special Business Rates are collected from businesses in Newcastle City Centre / Darby Street, Hamilton, Mayfield, New Lambton and Wallsend, and are reserved exclusively for the promotion, beautification and economic development of these business precincts. 

Annual funding for the most creative and innovative project proposals is distributed through a competitive application process. 

For more information on the Special Business Rates program visit the City of Newcastle website.

Seven new works never seen before will make their national debut in Newcastle as the New Annual festival launches into 10 days of unforgettable art, music and ideas.

Newcastle artist Izabela Pluta and local dance company Catapult are among those taking centre stage with their latest works, which were unveiled at the Canoe Pool today after being commissioned for City of Newcastle’s flagship arts festival.

Festival Director Tory Loudon said New Annual continues to champion the people, places and creative spirit that make Newcastle unique.

“At a time when festivals across the country are being forced to curtail their investment in the industry, New Annual has been cementing itself as a platform for emerging and established artists to perform in front of new audiences,” Ms Loudon said. 

“This year’s festival alone features 402 artists across 40 events and includes seven new works commissioned by New Annual.

“This festival is uniquely shaped by Newcastle, inspired by its coastline, communities, histories and unmistakable character.

“We’re delivering experiences that couldn’t happen anywhere else – and that you won’t see anywhere else – ensuring this year’s New Annual will be an experience to remember.”

The sixth edition of the festival kicks off tomorrow and runs from 25 September to 4 October, with an abundance of free and low-cost ticketed performances for audiences of all ages.

Pluta’s immersive work in the Canoe Pool encourages viewers on land – and in the water – to experience the familiar location in a new way. 

Cavitation: Breathing Ocean uses sea floats collected from coastlines in Far North Queensland to create a beautiful, buoyant installation that shifts with the tides.

Accompanied by an exhibition at The Lock-Up, Cavitation explores how water carries people, objects and histories across places, reflecting the Polish-born artist’s own experience of migration and her connection to water as a swimmer and diver.

Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub will also make the Canoe Pool their stage in At Sea, a new 30-minute performance at the water’s edge that will see dancers move with the tide, wind and sand to an original score by Zackari Watt. 

Shaped by place and performed each morning at 8am, the newly commissioned work will be followed by a public dance workshop that encourages audiences to become part of the experience.

The people and places of Newcastle are also inextricably linked to the third new work making its debut on the festival’s opening weekend, Petite Suite. 

The highly anticipated experience, which has been created by Sydney arts organisation Brand X and is already sold out, will transform Cooks Hill’s much-loved Oriental Hotel into an immersive performance space.

“Hotel Manager” Drew Fairley will invite participants to step into unexpected worlds within seven of the hotel’s rooms and become part of the surprising performances by local and national artists and collectives.

The remaining new commissions will make their debuts throughout the rest of the festival, however there’s plenty more to see on the opening weekend, with a packed program of art, music, theatre and hands-on creativity.

Laman Street will be closed to traffic on Friday 25 September for the free First Night Art Party featuring powerhouse female performers Aleksiah, Djanaba, and Ngaiire, while Newcastle-based Samoan-Australian artist Angela Tiatia launches her new exhibition Muse inside Newcastle Art Gallery.

The Civic precinct will come alive throughout the weekend, with exhibitions and performances at Civic Park (Loca Vida at the Spiegeltent), The Playhouse (Truck Driver), Newcastle Museum (Framed in Sound: selected works of Tony Mott) and Museum Park (Curtain Call: Strut Your Stuff).

Watt Space Gallery will host the Night Flowers exhibition showcasing more than 100 images from University of Newcastle alumni Damien Frost, which were captured over a decade in London and extended for New Annual with new portraits of Newcastle’s queer and alternative communities. Frost’s work has also inspired a one-night-only after-dark art party taking over Bartholomews on 26 September. 

The opening weekend includes the highly anticipated return of the free SOAK sunset music sessions at the Newcastle Ocean Baths, with ARIA award-winning electronic music pioneers Hermitude pairing up with Newcastle-based DJ Claire O’Brien on 26 September, followed by a night celebrating Newcastle’s thriving jazz culture on 27 September. 

Newcastle’s coastline will also set the scene for Sea Stories, inviting audiences to grab a headset and enjoy a communal listening experience as the sun rises over Dixon Park Beach. 

Created by Melbourne theatre maker Roslyn Oades, the audio journey was inspired by interviews with extraordinary water-loving Novocastrians who explain how the ocean has been a transformative force in the face of life’s challenges.

Visitors to Dixon Park Beach can also check out the work of Newcastle’s award-winning ocean and coast-life photographer Penelope Green, whose series of captivating photographs will be displayed along the promenade fence, celebrating the city’s ocean swimming community. 

New Annual is delivered by City of Newcastle and proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, Multicultural NSW, Transport for NSW and Create NSW. The University of Newcastle returns as a presenting partner for the 2026 event.

Visit the New Annual website for all the details. 

New commissions premiering at New Annual

• Cavitation (25 Sept – 4 Oct) at the Canoe Pool: Izabela Pluta’s monumental art installation, with an accompanying exhibition at The Lock-Up Gallery
• Petite Suite (25-27 Sept) at the Oriental Hotel: Brand X transforms seven hotel rooms into seven intimate theatrical encounters inspired by one of Newcastle’s most beloved pubs
• At Sea (26-29 Sept, 1-4 Oct) at the Canoe Pool: free daily 8am performance performed at the water’s edge by Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub to an original score by Zackari Watt.
• Triceratop (30 Sept – 4 Oct) at University House: a wildly inventive one-person gay dinosaur love story with climate change in its sights.
• Lenny’s Country (30 Sept) at the Carrington Foreshore: a joyful community celebration of local Indigenous culture led by Curious Legends at Nan’s Place
• Bizarre Newcastle (1 Oct) at King Street: newly commissioned film by Stories of Our Town uncovering 10 extraordinary local tales, followed by live cabaret and music from Steve Abbott (Sandman), Christa Hughes, DJ Maynard, Pucko and host Chit Chat
• Press Play (1-3 Oct) at the Playhouse: celebrating 50 years of Tantrum Youth Arts with an interactive theatrical adventure for young imaginations

The expanded Newcastle Art Gallery is flexing its curatorial muscle, unveiling two Australian premieres today including its first international exhibition since reopening in February.

The new exhibitions feature the work of globally recognised Newcastle-based artist Angela Tiatia, and Tokyo and London based art duo A.A.Murakami.

Artist Angela Tiatia and Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM celebrate the launch of Angela Tiatia: Muse.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said City of Newcastle’s expansion of the gallery was about more than just gaining additional exhibition space.

“The expansion gave us physical scale, but the real transformation came from expanding our thinking about what our state-of-the-art institution should offer,” Ms Morton said.

“We celebrate local and national   artists and champion artists of global impact, creating world-class exhibitions that engage people with the transformational power of art.

“Angela Tiatia is one of the most vital voices in contemporary Australian art, and we’re incredibly proud to present the first major survey of her career here in Newcastle, the city she currently calls home. 

“Combine this with A.A.Murakami’s beautiful, immersive sculptural installation, which is on display for the first time in Australia, and you’ve got a truly unforgettable experience at Newcastle Art Gallery.”

Featuring video, photography and installation, Angela Tiatia: Muse will bring together the artist’s most significant works across two decades.

The ticketed exhibition traces the arc of the Sāmoan/Australian artist’s multi-disciplinary career, from her earliest practice in which she turned the camera on herself as subject, through to grander-scale works incorporating larger, ensemble casts.

Alongside Muse, Newcastle Art Gallery will also present the first gallery showing of The Matildas, 2025 outside the National Portrait Gallery, which commissioned the work. 

Filmed across three continents, five cities and seven shoots, the 23-minute video portrait captures the presence, emotion and mental focus of all 23 players from the CommBank Matildas FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Squad, including Newcastle’s own Emily van Egmond and Clare Wheeler.

Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey and Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM take a first look at A.A.Murakami: New Spring.

The Gallery’s premieres continue with the presentation of A.A.Murakami’s New Spring, on display for the first time in Australia thanks to the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation as the major global exhibition supporter.

The multisensory work was created by Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves as part of their ephemeral technology series, in which the artists make their own machines to recreate natural phenomena. 

The installation will see luminous mist-filled bubbles bloom and fall like flowers from three tree-like sculptures during the course of the exhibition.

Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey said the Foundation was thrilled to help bring such an important international exhibition to Newcastle.

“As the Gallery’s major philanthropic supporter, the Foundation is delighted to support the activation of our wonderful new Gallery and bring ambitious international exhibitions to our community,” Ms Galwey said.

“We are incredibly proud to play a part in making this possible, and I would like to sincerely thank our donors for their unwavering generosity and support. Their commitment enables the Gallery to deliver extraordinary experiences for the Newcastle community and beyond.”

Capping off the new works of art on display at the Gallery is the installation of the second window commission in the Learning Studio, which faces onto Darby Street.

It showcases Hunter-based artist Indeah Clark, whose large-scale graphic depicts a network of faces, reflecting the people and places that shape our sense of self and belonging.

Tickets for Angela Tiatia: Muse are on sale via the Newcastle Art Gallery website. Entry to The Matildas, 2025 is free to the public, with both exhibitions running from 26 September 2026 to 7 February 2027.

New Spring will be on display from 26 September 2026 to 31 January 2027 with free entry to the public, while Clarke’s window commission will remain in place until 26 September 2027.

The new exhibitions are opening alongside City of Newcastle’s flagship multi-arts festival, New Annual, which features 10 days of art, music, theatre and performance from 25 September to 4 October 2026.

The full program for New Annual is available at www.newannual.com.

Gravity-defying acrobatics, a raucous rock opera, group dance dynamics and the city’s most scenic stage are set to cap off another hugely successful New Annual festival.

Starting off its 10-day program with a series of sold-out shows, record-breaking crowds and events extended by popular demand, City of Newcastle’s flagship arts festival will power into its closing weekend with a diverse line-up of music, art and ideas.

Acrobats from Circa Contemporary Circus preparing from their production of Wolf, which is on at the Civic Theatre on Friday night and Saturday afternoon as part of the New Annual festival.

New Annual Festival Director Tory Loudon said audiences had embraced the opportunity to experience the unexpected and unforgettable.

“New Annual is all about bringing art to the audiences across our beaches, ocean baths, parks and plazas, alongside the more traditional cultural venues, and the response to the festival this year has been outstanding,” Ms Loudon said.

“It’s been wonderful to see audiences engaging with the program from dawn to dusk and late into the night, creating a real buzz across the city from Sea Stories at Dixon Park Beach to First Night Art Party in Laman Street and the costumed delight of the Twisted Night Flowers Party at Bartholomews.

“The return of SOAK to the Newcastle Ocean Baths smashed all our expectations, with more than 5,000 people getting into the vibe with Hermitude and Claire O’Brien on its opening night.

“We’ve also had eight events totally sell out and have extended the run of Damien Frost’s Night Flowers exhibition at Watt Space Gallery to meet demand.

“There’s plenty more to come with the closing weekend offering your first chance to see a number of shows on the program, so I hope everyone jumps online to see what’s in store for the rest of New Annual.”

The civic precinct will be the vibrant heart of the weekend’s activities, with events and performances across the Civic Theatre, The Playhouse, Civic Park, Newcastle Museum, Newcastle Art Gallery, Wheeler Place, City Hall, Watt Space Gallery and University House. 

This includes the Newcastle debut of the gravity-defying acrobatic production Wolf by internationally renowned contemporary circus company Circa, presented as a collaboration between Newcastle Civic Theatre and New Annual.

Having wowed the crowds at Edinburgh Fringe and toured 12 countries around the world, Wolf will take to the Civic Theatre stage on Friday night and Saturday afternoon with a thrilling mix of acrobatics, artistry and primal instincts as 10 performers push their bodies to the limit.

From raw energy to spirited conversations, Civic Theatre will also host renowned journalists Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales as they bring their live, unscripted and gloriously opinionated podcast Chat 10, Looks 3 to Newcastle on Saturday night.

The Playhouse will offer plenty of action across the weekend, from the rock opera gig-theatre work AUTO-TUNE from re:group performance collective, which channels Silverchair obsession, millennial culture and questionable decisions, to the chaotic celebration of 50 years of Tantrum Youth Arts with an interactive theatrical adventure Press Play.

University House hosts the debut of the locally produced show Triceratop across the weekend, blending cabaret, sci‑fi, storytelling and unapologetic camp humour, while City Hall offers All In on Friday night, an immersive celebration of dance by Dance Makers Collective in collaboration with three local dance groups, followed by an “all-in” opportunity for the audiences to show off their own dance moves.

New Annual has plenty more on offer beyond the civic precinct, including the final two free sunset music sessions of SOAK featuring Gomeroi hip hop artist Kobie Dee alongside the soulful Pasifika sounds of 92WRLD on Friday followed by Karen Lee Andrews on Saturday night, blending soul, blues, gospel and rock with her Polynesian heritage.

New Annual is delivered by City of Newcastle and proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, Multicultural NSW, Transport for NSW and Create NSW. The University of Newcastle returns as a presenting partner for the 2026 event.

Visit the New Annual website for all the details. 

New Annual’s closing weekend highlights

• All In at City Hall: Dance Makers Collective bring together professional dancers and three local dance schools for a joyful large-scale performance
• AUTO-TUNE at the Playhouse: a riotous gig-theatre work from re:group performance collective that channels Silverchair obsession, millennial culture and questionable decisions, all told through original music – stay after the show each night for a free gig from local bands
• Chat 10, Looks 3 Live at Civic Theatre: Renowned journalists Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales bringing their celebrated podcast to the stage
• Curtain Call: Strut Your Stuff at Museum Park: Melbourne collective Fast Fashun invite festivalgoers to create wearable art from recycled clothing before taking to the runway
• Global Table at Wheeler Place: world-class food, live performance, and cultural storytelling hosted by writer Benjamin Law and writer and comedian Jennifer Wong
• Muse at Newcastle Art Gallery: a 20-year survey of work created by internationally acclaimed Newcastle artist Angela Tiatia
• Praxis at Newcastle Art Gallery: pairing local visual artists and choreographers to create new collaborative works
• Press Play at the Playhouse: celebrating 50 years of Tantrum Youth Arts with an interactive theatrical adventure for young imaginations
• SOAK: Live at the Baths at the Newcastle Ocean Baths: free sunset sessions curated by Urthboy (Tim Levison), with live music from 92Wrld & Kobie Dee, and Karen Lee Andrews
• The Spiegeltent with Loca Vida at Civic Park: cabaret, comedy and late-night spectacle
• Through the Lens of Tony Mott at Newcastle Museum: four decades of iconic Australian and international rock photography
• Triceratop at University House: a wildly inventive one-person gay dinosaur love story with climate change in its sights
• Wolf at Civic Theatre: a thrilling mix of acrobatics, artistry and primal instincts from internationally renowned contemporary circus company, Circa

Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris 

What began as a morning of pride and celebration for Novocastrians to support our Newcastle Knights has now been marked by a very serious incident, and as a community, we’re heartbroken. 

My thoughts are with the people who were hurt, their families and loved ones, as well as those who were there and saw it, many of whom were children and families there to cheer on the team.

This terrible incident is hard, and it’s okay to feel it.

In the days and weeks ahead, we as the Newcastle and Hunter community need to come together with heart, soul and empathy. 

We are a strong community and we will support each other. 

Our prayers are with those involved.

The NSW Government has extended the Newcastle Integrated Services Contract until mid-2028 with Keolis Newcastle Transport, ensuring continued bus services for customers across the Newcastle region while Transport for NSW develops future service arrangements.

Transport for NSW Coordinator General Howard Collins said the extension provides certainty for passengers and operators while work continues on the next phase of bus service contracting.

“This extension gives us additional time to develop service contracts that are better suited to the needs of the community while responding to recommendations from the Bus Industry Taskforce and feedback from the industry,” Mr Collins said.

“We want to ensure future contracts support reliable and efficient public transport services while providing a sustainable framework for operators.”

The extension will align the Newcastle contract with the expiry dates of other passenger service contracts across NSW, supporting Transport for NSW’s broader procurement program.

“We will continue to work closely with operators and industry stakeholders to ensure future arrangements deliver the best possible outcomes for customers and the bus industry,” Mr Collins said. 

Transport for NSW will continue developing its future delivery model, including ongoing consultation with industry and the community as work progresses.

The driver of a car that allegedly struck ten people in the state’s Hunter region has been charged.

About 9.30am today (Saturday 3 October 2026), emergency services were called to Newcastle Link Road, at the Transfield Drive roundabout, Wallsend, following reports a vehicle had allegedly struck multiple people.

The persons struck were part of a large crowd that were in attendance to support a local sporting team.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended, alongside Traffic and Highway Patrol officers and NSW Ambulance paramedics.

A crime scene was established that was later examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

The vehicle was seized by police and will undergo forensic examination.

Ten people were injured and were treated on the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.

A five-year-old girl remains in a critical but now stable condition.

The 67-year-old man who was initially in a critical condition is currently reported to be in a serious but stable condition.

Four other people – a second 5-year-old girl, a 2-year-old girl, a 31-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man – remain hospitalized in stable conditions.

Three men – aged 24, 25 and 27 – along with a 63-year-old woman have since been discharged from hospital.

The P1 Provisional licence holder of the vehicle – an 18-year-old man – was arrested and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Two male passengers in the vehicle – aged 18 and 19 – were not injured.

The driver was later released from hospital and taken to a police station where he was charged with nine offences including:
3 x Dangerous driving occ GBH- drive manner dangerous
3 x Negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm)
3 x Cause bodily harm by misconduct, in charge of motor vehicle

He has been refused bail to appear at Bail Division – Court 2 tomorrow (Sunday 4 October 2026).

The man’s licence has also been suspended.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Officers will continue to coordinate a high-visibility police operation across the Newcastle and Hunter areas following the conclusion of the NRL Grand Final this evening.
The operation – which commenced on Friday 2 October 2026 – will continue to run today (Sunday 4 October 2026) and well into the evening as the Newcastle Knights travel back to the Hunter from Sydney after tonight’s NRL Grand Final.
As the team returns to Newcastle, police are asking the public not to congregate on major motorways as no fan engagements are planned after the game this evening.
The public is also asked to engage in a safe and respectful manner regardless of tonight’s grand final outcome.
Police will be patrolling the Newcastle and Hunter areas, targeting antisocial behaviour and any actions that put community safety at risk.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District are continuing to be supported by specialist resources including Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Northern Region support resources, the Public Order and Riot Squad, Police Transport Command, Marine Area Command and other specialist police units to help maintain public safety and ensure celebrations remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Police are reminding spectators and patrons to:
· Plan their journey and allow extra travel time.
· Use public transport where possible.
· Organise a safe way home before attending events.
· Follow directions from police, security and event staff.
· Look out for friends, family and other members of the community.
· Never drive if affected by alcohol or drugs.
For public transport information and trip planning, visit the Transport for NSW website: https://transportnsw.info/
For traffic information, including road closures, special event clearways and live traffic reports, visit www.livetraffic.com: http://www.livetraffic.com/
Anyone requiring emergency assistance should call Triple Zero (000). For non-urgent police assistance, contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Ten people have been injured after being struck by a vehicle near Wallsend this morning.

About 9.30am today (Saturday 3 October 2026), emergency services were called to Newcastle Link Road, at the Transfield Drive roundabout, following reports a vehicle had struck multiple people in a crowd.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended, alongside Traffic and Highway Patrol officers and NSW Ambulance paramedics.

Ten people were injured and were treated on the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.

Two people – a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man – remain in a critical condition.

The other eight people all remain in a stable condition:

• A second five-year-old girl
• A two-year-old girl
• A 31-year-old woman
• A 48-year-old man
• A 24-year-old man
• A 63-year-old woman
• A 25-year-old man
• A 57-year-old man

The p-plate driver of the vehicle – an 18-year-old man – was arrested and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with initial inquiries indicating it is not believed to be terror related.

Newcastle Link Road has been closed in both directions and is expected to remain closed for some time while inquiries continue.

Police thank the community for their patience, cooperation and assistance.