Good morning, Newcastle! Welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.

Spring has sprung its wonderful, warm weather on us. Although rain is expected for the next couple of days, we should have another great weekend and more opportunities to enjoy our beautiful town.

Have a great rest of your week.

Every so often, a new venue in Newcastle grabs everyone’s attention, and Retro Rolls has been the talk of the town lately. From social media buzz to word-of-mouth recommendations, it seemed like everyone had an opinion, so we went in to see if it was worth the hype.

On the menu, you’ll find a line-up of modern and classic subs. We tried the meatball sub and the Philly cheesesteak. The rolls themselves were high quality. The Philly was packed with flavour and lived up to expectations. The meatball sub had plenty going for it too, but could’ve used a bit more sauce to balance things out and avoid feeling a little dry.

The space itself is simple, with only a couple of tables and chairs, so it leans more towards a grab-and-go kind of experience. That said, the focus is clearly on the food, and on that front, Retro Rolls delivers. Quality ingredients, generous portions, and a nostalgic vibe that feels both familiar and fresh. Overall? We’d say it’s worth the hype.

Maru Hi-Fi

Opening Thursday, Maru Hi-Fi is a Japanese-inspired listening cafe and all-day destination crafted to bring a unique cultural experience to the city. The venue features an acoustically engineered space with a focus on high-quality sound, showcasing a massive vinyl collection and state-of-the-art audio equipment. Inspired by Japan's "Jazz Kissa" culture, it’s designed as a place for people to gather, unwind, and find community through music. Alongside the immersive sound experience, Maru Hi-Fi will offer a refined menu of Japanese fusion food and a unique cocktail list, aiming to become a new cultural hub for Newcastle. More info.

Grandparents Playgroup Come and Try Day – Landcare and Sustainable Living Centre, Booragul | 12 September 10am – 12pm
A morning of fun and games for grandparents and children aged 0–5. Bring a picnic. Free entry.

Lake Mac Run – Lake Macquarie Foreshore, The Esplanade, Warners Bay | 14 September 7am – 12pm
Choose from a half marathon, 10.5km fun run, or 4km family scamper on this scenic lakefront course. Tickets from $30. More info.

Synergy – Back to Back Galleries, Bull Street, Cooks Hill | 12 – 28 September
An exciting collaboration between Newcastle Studio Potters Inc and Newcastle Printmakers Workshop, pairing 25 artists to showcase unique works. Free to attend. More info.

Film Screening – Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point | 12 September 6pm – 8pm
Step into the world of art cinema where film meets visual artistry in this captivating screening. Cost: $15 plus booking fee. More info.

Candyland Afterdark – Bartholomew's, King Street, Newcastle | 11 September
Candyland After Dark is brought to you by the team behind Three Rings Aerial & Circus Arts and they return to Bartholomew's with their latest instalment of circus magic, cabaret and burlesque fun. More info.

Modus Art Expo – Modus Merewether, Merewether Street, Merewether | 11 September 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Cool local artists, cheap tinnies, a trendy brewery and free entry. It also happens to be half priced pint night. More info.

Friends of the University Book Fair – Great Hall, Callaghan Campus, University of Newcastle | 12 – 16 September
Over 50,000 second-hand books, records, CDs, DVDs, sheet music and more available for sale. Free entry. More info.

Newcastle Comedy Club Showcase – Newcastle Comedy Club, Darby Street | 12 – 13 September 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Catch a rotating lineup of top local talent and touring comics in Newcastle’s own New York–style club. A great night of laughs in an intimate setting. More info.

Brazilian Samba Dance Workshop to Live Percussion – Clyde Street Art Studios, Hamilton North | 13 September
Dance Samba to live percussion with SambaFrog. Learn how to respond to different samba instruments and move to live drums in a fun, high-energy workshop. More info.

Merrick Watts – An Idiot’s Guide to Wine: Volume Two – The Spiegeltent Newcastle | 13 – 14 September 2:30pm
A brand-new comedy and wine masterclass from Merrick Watts. Taste six standout wines while enjoying his signature blend of laughs, tasting notes, and snack pairings. More info.

Clay and Sip Class – The Art Department, 133 King Street, Newcastle | 12 – 14 September (various times)
Get messy with clay and create your own ceramics at this hands-on, social class. BYO drinks and snacks, all tools provided, plus a great playlist to vibe along with. More info.

Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase – Civic Theatre, Hunter Street, Newcastle | 12 September
A jam-packed night of entertainment featuring festival favourites and emerging comedy talent. One gala only. More info.

HIA Newcastle Homeshow – HIA Home Inspirations Centre, Mayfield West | 13 September
Discover home innovations while supporting the HIA Charitable Foundation. Free entry, no bookings required. More info.

Pilates Open Day – Concrete Gym, Hunter Street, Newcastle | 13 September
A buzzing upstairs event with free Pilates classes and a pop-up market featuring local brands. More info.

Monsieur Camembert's Cohen Noir – Civic Theatre, Hunter Street, Newcastle | 13 September
An acclaimed musical tribute to Leonard Cohen with a live band, choir, and special guests. Cost: $85–$110. More info.

Art Exhibition Openings – Straitjacket, Denison Street, Broadmeadow | 13 September 11am – 5pm
Meet artists Susan Ryman, Tom Kearney, and Kerrie Oliver during the all-day opening. Free entry. More info.

Merrick Watts – An Idiot’s Guide to Wine: Volume Two – The Spiegeltent, Civic Park, Newcastle | 13 – 14 September
New show, new wines, same idiot. Australia’s favourite wine-loving comedian returns with a new show. More info.

The Act Newcastle Presents: Bliss N Eso – Earp Distilling Co., Darling Street, Carrington | 13 September
An exclusive live pre-launch show for their new album "The Moon (The Dark Side)." No phones allowed. More info.

Day Shift – The Exchange, Denison Street, Hamilton | 13 September
A clubbing experience for the 30+ crowd who love a dancefloor but prefer an early bedtime. Cost: $50.10. More info.

36 Views of Mt. Sugarloaf – Wabi Sabi Gallery, Glebe Road, Adamstown | 13 – 14 September
Howard James’ solo exhibition capturing Newcastle's west-facing icon Mt Sugarloaf through Japanese Sumi-e and mixed media. Free opening event Saturday. More info.

Mat to Matcha – Wickham St Studios, Wickham Street, Wickham | 14 September
50 min Pilates class followed by iced matcha and a harbourside walk. Includes a goodie bag and community vibes. More info.

Orchestra Nova – From Mars to Muswellbrook – Newcastle Conservatorium of Music | 14 September
A world premiere symphony from a 15-year-old composer, plus works by Holst, de Falla, and John Williams. Cost: $10–$32. More info.

Newcastle Pride Drag Music Bingo – Carrington Bowling Club, Cowper Street, Carrington | 14 September
A wild night of bingo, dance-offs and games with Kandii Rhinestone. Cost: $15

Open Day – Trees in Newcastle Community Nursery, Kalaroo Road, Redhead | 13 September 9am – 1pm
Explore local provenance plants grown onsite and discover native varieties suited to the Hunter region. More info.

30+ Day Party – The Exchange Hotel, Denison Street, Hamilton | 13 September 3pm
A daytime party for the over-30s with DJs, dancers, confetti showers and 80s–00s bangers. No late nights. More info.

Mindfulness with Watercolour – The Kotoda, 131 Hill Street, Carrington | 14 September 9:30am – 12:30pm
Explore the basics of watercolour painting in this serene, immersive class for beginners. Includes guided exercises, creative flow, and refreshments. More info.

Zumba Pop Up Party – Kilaben Bay Community Hall, 132a Kilaben Bay Road, Kilaben Bay | 13 September 10am – 11am
Dance for the joy of it in a fun and inclusive Zumba session. No experience needed — just bring your energy and let the music carry you. More info.

Spring at Miss Porter’s House – Miss Porter’s House, 434 King Street, Newcastle West | 14 September 1pm – 4pm
Celebrate spring in the historic garden and fernery with a floral display, vintage crafts, detective games for kids, and a plant stall. Entry from $10.

Homegrown Markets – The Station, Newcastle | 13 September 10am – 2pm
A vibrant showcase of handmade goods, street food, kids’ entertainment, live music, permanent jewellery, and more. More info.

Hawker Street Food Markets – James Street Plaza, Hamilton | 13 September 5pm – 9pm
Asian-inspired outdoor dining, food stalls, live music, and family fun with face painting and roaming performers. Free entry. More info.

Made & Found Market – Webb Park, Redhead | 14 September 10am – 2pm
Browse handmade and preloved goods, enjoy brunch from food trucks and live music in a chilled community atmosphere. More info.

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It’s hard to picture now, but Beaumont Street started out in the mid-1800s as little more than a rough bush track running through ti-tree scrub. Early Hamilton life revolved around mining settlements nearby, and most trade and socialising happened on Denison Street, then dotted with pubs and small shops.

The turning point came in 1872, when the railway station at Hamilton opened. What began as two bare platforms soon grew into a proper station by 1890, complete with waiting rooms and refreshment rooms. The station brought people and business straight to Beaumont Street. Shops, banks, and hotels soon sprang up, and by the early 1900s the street looked much like the main street of any country town.

Through the 20th century, waves of migration added to its character, particularly Greek and Italian families who opened cafés, restaurants, and small businesses, giving the street its long-standing reputation for food and community.

The street has faced challenges too, most notably in the 1989 earthquake, when several buildings were damaged or demolished. Businesses closed, some permanently, but the street bounced back and continued to evolve.

These days, Beaumont Street is as much about coffee and casual eats as it is about its pubs and restaurants. From its rough beginnings as a miner’s track, it has grown into one of Newcastle’s most recognisable streets, a place where history, community, and food culture all meet.