Newcastle, Australia 🇦🇺
Nomad Score:
71%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Newcastle is a vibrant coastal city in New South Wales, renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant arts scene, and rich history. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 322,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is approximately 60 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Australian Dollar (AUD), 1 AUD ≈ 0.64 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, sourced from local reservoirs and treated. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Major banks include Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, and ANZ. Online services like Revolut are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from shared apartments on Airbnb to serviced apartments like Newcastle Beach Holiday Apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely and contactless payments are common. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and serviced apartments like Quest Newcastle are popular for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Newcastle Beach Hostel and The Backpackers on Hunter. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Foundry, located in Honeysuckle, offers a vibrant coworking environment. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Village Warehouse is a popular coffee shop with reliable Wi-Fi and a relaxed atmosphere. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events can be found on meetup.com, including tech and freelance networking gatherings. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Newcastle International Friends group often organizes events for expats. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in Newcastle and is widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike offers a bike-sharing program across the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Nobbys Beach is approximately 5 minutes from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | QantasLink provides regular flights to regional destinations. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Emirates and Qantas operate international routes from Newcastle Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Newcastle is connected via the M1 Pacific Motorway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Newcastle Interchange serves as the primary train and bus station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Opal cards cover buses, trains, and ferries in the area. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services to Sydney and other nearby towns are available. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | John Hunter Hospital offers a range of medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogatime located in Newcastle East is popular for classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness and F45 Training offer great fitness options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry facilities can be found at services like Lemon Fresh Laundry. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Menulog provide extensive food delivery options. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the local seafood, especially the fish and chips at The Jetty. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Green Roof is a great spot for plant-based meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Brewed Awakening offers scrumptious desserts alongside coffee. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Newcastle City Farmers Market is a great option for budget-friendly groceries. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and eBay are popular among locals for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Coles and Woolworths offer online grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Darby Street features numerous bars and nightlife options. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Newcastle Brewery provides tastings and tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Lakehouse is known for its extensive wine selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Newcastle Night Markets have various food stalls. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Fried rice and dumplings can be found at Wok on the Walk. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Nobbys Head Lighthouse and Fort Scratchley are iconic landmarks. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Newcastle Art Gallery hosts impressive exhibitions. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Newcastle Memorial Walk offers historic insights and beautiful views. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church is a notable historic site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Newcastle Music Festival takes place annually in August. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Honeysuckle precinct is a vibrant and cultural hub. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Civic Theatre hosts a variety of performances and shows. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Newcastle City Farmers Market offers local goods every Sunday. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be found at venues like The Cambridge Hotel. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Check out the street art around the Newcastle East End. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Newcastle Cooking School offers various culinary experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Lock-Up is an independent contemporary art space. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Newcastle Customs House is a stunning historical landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city's convict heritage is celebrated at the Newcastle Historic Sites. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Tomaree National Park offers stunning coastal views and hiking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Barrington Tops National Park is about 1.5 hours away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Merewether Scenic Walk is a favorite for local cyclists and walkers. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The lookout at King Edward Park provides breathtaking views of the coastline. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Birdwatching is popular in the wetlands of the Hunter River Estuary. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some beaches like Nobby's allow for designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Australia Post is the primary parcel delivery service. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | TechFast provides reliable gadget repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The Newcastle Table Tennis Club welcomes players of all levels. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutions like Newcastle Language School offer various courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Newcastle Region Library is a great place for studying and reading. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Newcastle Community Centre hosts various community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamer's Lounge in the city center provides gaming spaces. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Newcastle Jockey Club occasionally hosts gaming events. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 5,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AUD 220,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = AUD 160,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 5,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 300,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 3,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 216,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 4,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 360,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 240,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | The standard corporate tax rate is 30%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The tax rate applied to dividend distributions is 30%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Australia has a progressive tax system based on resident income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate can reach 45%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 10%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Australia has strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on property value assessments. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp duty applies during property purchases, varying by state. |