Newcastle NSW - suggestions for quiet shady spots and dining Day trip only

voteoften on 03/02/2019 - 10:43
Last edited 03/02/2019 - 10:43

Hello friends,

I’m taking a cruise that includes the port of Newcastle in a week. I’ve never been to Newcastle and I have special needs for this day visit and was hoping someone could help me out.

My understanding is that the ship will bus us to queens wharf as it’s a working port. I have a friend who is taking the train to Newcastle to meet me. The train station is tight near queens wharf.

My friend has cancer and has had multiple therapies and gets utterly fatigued at times. They’ve lost a lot of weight and all their hair except eyebrows and eyelashes. They will not be up for a big day. Personally I don’t think they should even bother coming with the long train ride and all.

Anyway, we will probably spend several hours together as the ship is scheduled for 8-5 for this visit, so maybe 9-3 for our time together. The city may be relatively busy with an influx of maybe 3000 people.

I’d like to find a park or someplace shady where we can sit and visit for several hours. And then a cafe where we can have lunch and possibly morning tea. I don’t mind taking a taxi to get away from the area or get to an area that is more conducive to a quiet relaxing visit. Possibly even a shopping centre with a Starbucks or one of those tea places with booths and cushions. I’d like a discreet place where we can broach delicate topics if they arise.

Basically we need a place where we can sit comfortably for a few hours without putting anyone out and where my friend will not be exposed to sun or too much heat.

Yes, I know this is ozbargain and not trip advisor but there are so many generous and knowledgeable people on this forum that I thought I’d check and see if I can get some local knowledge before Saturday 9 February.

Thanks everyone.

💐🤗

Travel

Comments

  • elgrande on 03/02/2019 - 10:54
    +3

    shady spots

    Plenty in Newcastle!

    • [Deactivated] on 03/02/2019 - 11:29

      Plenty in Newcastle!

      On a Saturday in summer ?

      Btw, I was thinking they needed seating. Depends if OK sitting on ground under a tree. Probably lots of shady spots under a tree sitting on grass… Not so much with spots with tables and gazebo for shade these spots are often taken up fast

  • swapsey on 03/02/2019 - 11:04
    +1

    Sounds like King Edward Park would be lovely for you both - perhaps a picnic. I bet you could get a picnic hamper delivered to the park, with a rug, and all you have to do is enjoy the fine weather and good company.

    • voteoften on 03/02/2019 - 11:22

      Thanks, that sounds good. Or if not I’ll see if there’s a Coles or woolies with click and collect. I think there are some upscale versions of these in th eastern states.. one might be Thomas dux? Any other gourmet type shops that might do click and collect?

      • swapsey on 03/02/2019 - 12:37

        "In 2017 the four remaining Thomas Dux stores were closed."

        This place called Pork Ewe might do the trick - give them a call and see if they can do you a solid.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/02/2019 - 11:26
    +1

    I don’t mind taking a taxi to get away from the area or get to an area that is more conducive to a quiet relaxing visit. Possibly even a shopping centre

    Get an Uber (or taxify, or Ola, if available in Newcastle). Uber would almost definitely be available in Newcastle. And will cheaper than Taxi. Depending on how far you go from city, might need to get a regular taxi on way back.

    Since it is Saturday finding anything in a large city that is quiet, would be difficult on a Saturday. So many more people are out, both at tourists spots, and just shopping and cafes etc. Maybe a 'hole in wall' type cafe, down an alley, out of the way spot, might be OK on Saturday in city.
    If you go a few suburbs away from city (which wont cost too much with uber/ola/taxify), and a non-beachside suburb, you should be able to find a quiet cafe in small/tiny suburb, and might be a park there. Most people will be flooding the beachside spots on weekend in summer. You could IMO just spend all of the time in quiet little cafe, just buy lunch there, and maybe some teas, coffees, etc. If the cafe is quiet and spare seating, I can't see why it would be a problem to stay all day.
    Once you have some options worked out, you could Call cafe and ask, if it would be ok to stay all day, and visit with your friend.

    You could try calling Newcastle visitor info They would probably give you some great options straight away, and would have a good idea on what would be 'not so bust and crowded' on a Saturday. Here is their details;
    The Newcastle Shop Visitor Information Centre is open 7 days per week, 9am to 5pm.
    Contact us on 02 4974 2109

    As for starbucks there is a Starbucks round Newcastle.
    https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g255325-d4173…

    Thinking a bit outside the box , a registered club (not right smack in middle of city though) would be a great option . Plenty of clubs either don't attract large crowds and/or have so much space you can still find a quiet spot somewhere there. Clubs are not just for profit, so they can afford to have open, empty, quiet areas.
    Even go sit in an empty function room type area at club, and catch up with a massive open area to yourself.

    Whatever option you decide call ahead

    It is not something you can redo so be sure to phone ahead and check that the place is ok with you staying all day, and check that it is a suitable spot for you and friend to catch up in quiet spot.

    • jnewau on 03/02/2019 - 15:39

      There are no Starbucks in Newcastle. The ones that opened here all failed.Thankfully there is no need because great cafes are one thing Newie is not short of.

      My suggestions - Google the areas below because I don't know your preferences.

      The Junction - some nice cafes in this suburb, HuBro is a short walk from the beach and does nice coffee. Anywhere in the Junction is a few hundred metres from Merewether Beach which is a great spot. You can also walk up Darby St which is another food strip with good cafes and restaurants
      Hamilton - Beaumont St is the main strip and is the local italian haunt so is full of good cafes and nice food.
      Craft Brews - there's a heap of craft brews right around the CBD. Try Foghorn or The Grain Store. The Grain Store is just across the road from Newcastle Beach. if it's a nice day there's a lovely walk all the way along the CBD beachfronts right out on the breakwater at Nobby's
      Shopping Centres are centred on Kotara and Charlestown which is about 6km from the CBD. Kotara is a large Westfield with Cinemas, Rooftop dining etc. In other words just like every other Westfield. Likewise for Charlestown, it's a stockland Centre. if you like shopping then either will be fine.
      King Edward Park as mentioned is on the water and is a fantastic spot for a picnic - you can walk south along the Anzac Walk which is an elevated walkway right over the cliffs down to Merewether
      Further inland Blackbutt Reserve is a great park and has animals etc for the kids

      Honeysuckle is a development along the harbour and will probably be the easiest to get to for someone coming from the train. There are cafes and places to sit
      And dont forget Lake Macquarie - it's the largest inland coastal lake in australia and you can have a great meal on the water at a myriad of suburbs which all front it - from belmont around to Warners Bay there's some great spots to have a picnic, and almost the whole eastern lakefront has walkways

      I understand your friend will have mobility trouble but you can get an uber or taxi to any of these places easily

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