Good morning Newcastle. Welcome back to the Newcastle Digest. This weekend we have some of the first markets for the year and plenty of live music.

I have included a few polls this week to get some feedback on ideas. Have a Good rest of your week.

Table of Contents

• Eats

• Events

• Activities

• Miscellaneous

Date Night Diary

It’s back! I have not featured this segment for over a month now. NO I have not been neglecting my partner. For this date night, we attended Alfies.

Located in New Lambton, Alfies is an intimate restaurant known for its large wine list and Italian Classics.

For the two of us, we found one entre of the pizza bread and whipped ricotta and two pasta dishes reasonably sufficient. The pasta dishes we tried were the lamb ragu and the prawn pasta. We just opted for a glass of wine each so can not speak to the cocktails, but their were options available.

Overall, the food was amazing; It is close to the top of my list of favourite pasta in Newcastle. Below is how it ranks on the scorecards. An 8.25 takes out the top spot on the leaderboard.

Leaderboard

1. Alfies: 8.25

2. Blanca: 7.75

3. Grain Store: 7.7

4. Light Years: 7.6

5. Oh My Papa: 7.5

Quest: The Best Burger

I’m embarking on a noble and daring quest to uncover the absolute best burger in Newcastle. This isn’t just a mission; it’s a calling - a destiny I’ve been preparing for my entire life.

But I can’t do it alone. I need your expertise. Where should I start? From dingy pubs to specialty burger joints or even a hidden gem you’ve sworn to keep secret until now - no burger is off limits.

This challenge will take place on a week-by-week basis, and the results will be shared with all. Winners will receive the ultimate prize… public recognition.

Newcastle trivia

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Thursday 16 January

Friday 17 January

Saturday 18 January

Sunday 19 January

Families

Monster Jump - Griffith Park in Stockton | Saturday 4 January to Sunday 19 January, 9:30am – 3:30pm (Last week)

This mobile inflatable obstacle course offers a whopping 280 meters of continuous fun with more than 30 obstacle adventures. Don’t let the kids have all the fun. Monster Jump is suitable for everyone, from children to adults!

Kids Graffiti Workshops: School Holidays - Playstate on Fern | From 7 Januaray

Playstate is extremely excited to introduce aerosol workshops. We welcome all skills levels to come along and learn about street art practices and the practical application of aerosol to boards to create artwork. Aimed at kids 6-17, our 2-hour workshops show kids how to draw letters, play with their pieces and complete artwork in a safe and supportive environment.

More info here

Operation Ouch - Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 18 January, 10:30am, 1:30pm & 4pm shows

TV’s favourite doctors return to Australia this January with a gigantic brand-new show. Following four sell-out Australian tours and two smash hit seasons in London’s West End, Dr Chris and Dr Xand are back with the epic “Quest for the Jurassic Fart!”. This roarsome show will be packed with all-new crazy experiments that will take you back to the age of the dinosaurs as the doctors explore the fascinating world of science like never before. More info

Friday Chill - Pacific Park | Friday 17 January, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Friday Chill kicks off in January. On Friday nights through summer Soul engages local artists to perform chilled out tunes in a family-friendly setting. Food trucks and kids’ performers/activities add to the festival environment. Soul Hub would like to invite their friends and community to come along and join them for a picnic in the park! BYO picnic food and beverages or take advantage of the gourmet food served by a selection of local food vendors.

Steve Backshall: Ocean - Civic Theatre | 15 January, From 7:00pm

Steve Backshall’s Ocean is a love letter to the most exciting environment on our planet – and a great way to learn more about what we need to do to save our seas. Stunts, experiments, props, cutting edge science and big screen footage from his two decades in TV will all help Steve to bring the icons of the Big Blue to life. A must see for all the family! More info

Baby Rave - Young Street Hotel, Carrington | Saturday 18 January

Featuring a live DJ spinning family-friendly beats, Baby Rave is the ultimate daytime dance party for parents and little ones. More info

Emporium Market - Newcastle Museum | Saturday 18 January | 9:00am - 2:00pm

Emporium Market is your destination for local creativity and delicious bites. Every market features a unique mix of talented artists, makers, snacks and food vendors, so there's always something new to uncover.

Getting here is easy – we're right at the Civic light rail stop, making it simple to drop in for a snack, a chat, or a browse.

Parking – Wright Lane Public Car Park is just a short stroll away for your convenience.

Newcastle Knights Fan Fest - McDonald Jones Stadium | Saturday 18 January

A not-to-be-missed, free Knights Community Event for the whole family, Fan Fest will take over McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday, 18 January 2025.

Proceedings will commence from 10am, with the event concluding at 2pm. More info.

Adults

Blue Haze: Sun Prints Workshop - MAC yapang, Booragul | Wednesday 15 January 10am and 12:30pm.

Learn how to make cyanotypes. This is a fun way to make pictures using sunlight! Cyanotypes are a unique form of art in which paper is treated with a special solution that turns blue when exposed to sunlight. It’s like taking a photo but without a camera. More info.

Japanese Whisky Journey - Bartholomew's, Newcastle | Thursday 16 January

Experience an evening tasting a flavourful range of five NIKKA expressions paired with alchemic canapés. Learn about the making of these whiskies and chat with the brand ambassador.

Brat Summer Party - The Exchange Hotel | Friday 17 January

Australia’s Brat Summer is just getting started! Join the ultimate party for 365-day party girls on Friday, 17th January from 8pm.

Urban Cocktail Trail - Various venues around Newcastle | Saturday 18 January, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Explore the vibrant cocktail scene of Newcastle this Summer on this incredible self-guided Cocktail Trail! Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or a group of friends looking for a fun afternoon out, the Urban Cocktail Trail is a guaranteed good time! More info

Screamin' Gay Beach Party - The Lass, Wickham | Saturday 18 January

Dive into the fun at Screamin’ Gay's Pride Beach Party. Show off your style in the Swimsuit & Best Dressed Beach Outfit contest and win. Time: 8pm til late. More info

Japanese Ramen Chef Collab with Yutaro Toyoda - Susuru Ramen & Gyoza | Saturday 18 January

Experience the flavours of Japan at Susuru! From Saturday, 18th January, to Sunday, 3rd February, we’re collaborating with talented Japanese ramen chef Yutaro Toyoda to bring you exclusive, handcrafted ramen dishes inspired by his unique culinary journey.

Don’t miss this limited-time event featuring authentic ramen creations, perfect for ramen lovers and foodies alike! More info.

Community Event Call-Out

In a bid to bring Newcastle Digest readers together, I am thinking of potentially organising an event at some point.

Would you be interested in attending? We’re open to ideas, but some thoughts include:

• A casual networking event for locals

• A food and wine night with local producers

• A fun trivia evening

Let us know by answering this quick poll:

Have a suggestion for the kind of event you’d love to attend? Share your thoughts by replying to this email.

Newcastle Throwback

This was subject to last week’s trivia question, and surprisingly, a lot of people weren’t aware. Yes, the infamous megastar Taylor Swift performed in Newcastle at the Entertainment Centre back in 2010.

Photo of the week

Stunning photo by Mick Fortier of sunrise over the Newcastle Ocean Baths. See the full photo on Instagram.

Adopt a pet

This little ones name is Eve, she is a 9 weeks old brave and rambunctious German Shepherd pup.

Established over 15 years ago, Dog Rescue Newcastle is a 100% volunteer-run organisation driven by a passionate group of everyday heroes. Click below to find your next furry friend.