GETTING HERE
Air
Newcastle Airport is the fastest growing regional airport in Australia and is located only 30 minutes from Newcastle City Centre.
The following carriers schedule daily direct flights to Newcastle Airport from:
Ballina - Rex
Brisbane - Jetstar, Virgin Australia
Canberra - Brindabella
Gold Coast - Jetstar
Melbourne - Jetstar, Virgin Australia
Sydney - Aeropelican, Brindabella, Rex
Taxis, hire cars, coaches, airport shuttles and large group transfers are available from the airport directly into the City Centre, about 35mins drive.
A taxi will cost between $50-$70. For bookings contact Newcastle Taxis on 133 300.
Newcastle Airport offers a shuttle service to and from Newcastle's CBD. The cost is $40 for one person and $45 for two people. Pre-booking is preferred to guarantee a spot, however you can enquire at the Service Counter at the airport as to availability when you arrive.
Port Stephens Coaches run a frequent service from Newcastle Airport to Newcastle Station throughout the day. Full fare $4.50 / $2.10 concession [NSW Transport Concession or Australian Pensioner Concession]. Please phone Port Stephens Coaches to confirm timetable. For further information on timetables and services, contact Port Stephens Coaches on 02 4982 2940.
Road
Newcastle is located only two hours drive north of Sydney.
Coming from Sydney or the South? Follow the F3 Freeway taking the Newcastle Link Road exit; this will bring you into the heart of the City.
From Sydney: 160km, just over 2 hours
From Wollongong: 230km, just over 3 hours
From Canberra: 437hm, just under 5 hours
From Melbourne: 1000km, about 11.5 hours
From Adelaide: 1,500km, about 17.5 hours
Coming from the West? Newcastle City Centre has two access points; the New England and Golden Highways.
From Dubbo: 385kms, about 5 hours
Coming from the North? Follow the Pacific Highway directly into the City Centre.
From Brisbane: 780km, just under 10 hours
From Byron Bay: 620km, about 8 hours
From Armidale: 330km, just over 4 hours
Rail
Newcastle is part of the CityRail network with multiple stations positioned around the City Centre.
Frequent daily return services are available on the Newcastle/Central Coast network from the Central Coast (1.5hr) and Sydney (3hrs), and heading north west on the Hunter network with access to the Lower (Maitland) and Upper Hunter (Scone) regions. Visit the CityRail website for further information and timetables.
CountryLink trains connect Newcastle to Sydney, Brisbane via Grafton and Casino and many other country centres including Tamworth, Armidale and Moree. Connections from other country centres in NSW, ACT & VIC are via Sydney. The trains are designed for comfortable long distance travelling, and regularly arrive/depart from Newcastle's Broadmeadow Train Station. Visit the Countrylink website for further information and timetables.
The railway station closest to the Conference venue is Civic Train Station.
Coach/Bus
Newcastle is serviced by a range of coach companies throughout Australia with regular connections to and from various locations.
State Transit also operates a regular public service throughout Newcastle and suburbs around the clock, and offers a free fare zone within the Newcastle inner city from 7am - 6pm seven days a week. This is a fantastic way of getting around the inner city without the hassle of driving and parking, and links many of the accommodation options within the CBD with our conference venue.
Newcastle is serviced by coach companies throughout Australia with regular connections to and from various locations. For further information visit the Greyhound website .
ACCOMMODATION
Budget
YHA
Single - $59 Double - $85
30 Pacific St Newcastle 2300
02 4925 3544 || www.yha.com.au
Oriental Hotel
Queen - $69 Twin $79
53 Bull St Cooks Hill 2300
02 4929 1130
Affordable
The Grand Hotel
Double - from $100
cnr Church & Bolton Sts Newcastle 2300
02 4929 3489 || www.thegrandhotel.net.au
IbisNewcastle
Double - $139
700 Hunter St Newcastle 2300
02 4925 2266 || website
Travelodge Newcastle
King Double - from $159
cnr King & Steele Streets Newcastle 2300
02 4926 3777 || www.travelodge.com.au
Clarendon Hotel
Standard - $165
347 Hunter Street Newcastle 2300
02 4907 6700 || www.clarendonhotel.com.au
Mid-Range
Chifley Apartments
1 bedroom - $219
14 Honeysuckle Dr Newcastle 2300
02 4910 4910 || website
High-Range
Crowne Plaza
Queen Double - from $255
cnr Merewether St & Wharf Rd Newcastle 2300
02 4907 5000 || website
Quest Serviced Apartments
1 bedroom - from $295
575 Hunter Street Newcastle 2300
02 4928 2000 || www.questapartments.com.au
USEFUL CONTACTS
Newcastle Airport
02 4928 9800 www.newcastleairport.com.au
Newcastle Buses & Ferries
02 4974 1618 www.newcastlebuses.info
Newcastle Taxis
133 300 www.newcastletaxis.com.au
Newcastle Hire Cars
02 4960 1800 www.newcastlehirecars.com.au
Port Stephens Coaches
02 4982 2940 www.pscoaches.com.au
CityRail
131 500 www.131500.com.au
Newcastle City Council (Tourism)