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

We have another jam-packed edition to keep you busy this weekend. Make sure you get your last-minute best schnitzel submissions in if you would like them to be added to the list.

Have a good rest of your week.

Table of Contents

• Eats

• Live Music

• Events

• Miscellaneous

Local Gem

Newy Fried Chicken

Over the past few months, my social media feed has been flooded with Newy Fried Chicken content - and as someone who’s been more than a few times, I can confirm the hype is absolutely real.

On Friday night, I had the pleasure of introducing some out-of-town family to the Newy Fried Chicken experience, and it did not disappoint. We went all in: my go-to Sunday Sando, the secret menu loaded fries (topped with tenders, mac and cheese, and your choice of sauce), plus a serve of their rich potato and gravy, extra creamy mac and cheese, and a basket of crispy tenders paired with their unbeatable comeback sauce.

To wash it all down, we tried their house beer - and honestly, beer and fried chicken might be one of life’s perfect pairings.

Whether you dine in or grab takeaway from their newly opened kitchen, Newy Fried Chicken is a must-try. Just a heads up: if you're planning to eat in on the weekend, booking a table is a smart move.

Newy’s best schnitzel

Thank you to all those who submitted a schnitzel last week. Starting next week the quest for Newys best schnitzel will begin.

If you would like to submit a schnitzel, there’s still time. Click the button below.

Newcastle trivia

Friday 18 July

Saturday 19 July

Sunday 20 July

Families

Monster Jump – Griffith Park, Stockton | 5 – 20 July
Get ready to bounce in the July school holidays. Monster Jump returns to Griffith Park, Stockton in Newcastle from Saturday 5 – Sunday 20 July 2025 for an unforgettable school holiday adventure! The Monster Jump is the newest inflatable obstacle course to hit Australia, suitable for everyone from children to adults! With sliding, climbing, bouncing, and more, this mobile inflatable obstacle course offers a whopping 280 meters of continuous fun! More info.

Disney’s Frozen JR. – The Playhouse, Civic Theatre Newcastle | 17 July – 2 August
This winter, step into the magical world of Arendelle with Disney’s Frozen JR., brought to life by the talented young performers of Hunter Drama! Featuring “Let It Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and more, with dazzling costumes and choreography. More info.

Kids Big Day Out – The Levee Central Maitland | 19 July | 10 am – 2 pm
Jam-packed school holiday fun: science shows by Uni of Newcastle’s SMART team, prehistoric creatures, reptile encounters, giant games and bubble-filled activities. Bookings essential for limited free kids’ activities. More info.

School Holiday Fun – Mattara Hotel, 333 Charlestown Rd, Charlestown | 19 July 11 am
Needing something fun to do with the kids this school holidays? Join us for a Saturday jam-packed full of fun for everyone. More info.

Hunter Valley Winery Run & Kids Marathon – Wandin Estate Winery, Hunter Valley | 20 July
Kids Marathon can be entered as a standalone 2 km run or as part of an 8-week program to accumulate 40 km before the event. All ages welcome; non-marathoners can still participate. More info.

Adults

Guy Montgomery – Civic Theatre, 375 Hunter St, Newcastle | 17–18 July
Award-winning Kiwi comedian, podcaster and improviser Guy Montgomery brings his new stand-up show I’ve Noticed So Many Things, It’d Be Unfair To Keep Them To Myself to Newcastle in 2025. More info.

Silver & Cold Opening Reception – Wester Gallery, 39 Bolton St, Ground Floor, Newcastle | 18 July
Silver & Cold is a winter group show featuring 40+ artists exploring contrast, cool tones, and shadowy moods. Enjoy art, drinks, and music on opening night. More info.

The Radiators Live – Shoal Bay Country Club, 35–45 Shoal Bay Rd, Shoal Bay | 18 July | 7 pm
The Radiators are heading to SBCC for a night of rock music. More info.

midlie 30+ club – Crown & Anchor Hotel, 189 Hunter St, Newcastle | 19 July
Newcastle’s own 30+ party. Club classics & fresh new bangers. Early start for the pussies that need to tap out early. Late finish for those that still got that dawg in ’em. More info.

Art Exhibition Opening – Straitjacket, 222 Denison St, Broadmeadow | 19 July | 11 am – 5 pm
Artwork by Newcastle-based artists Braddon Snape (sculpture) and James Drinkwater (collaborative sculpture/painting). More info.

Mid-Winter Festival – The Farmer’s Wife Distillery, 1378 The Bucketts Way, Allworth | 19 July | 2 pm – 10 pm
Think roaring fires, live music, delicious food and of course Farmer’s Wife cocktails to warm the soul. More info.

Poetic Exploration with Paris Rosemont – Museum of Art and Culture, yapang (MAC yapang), 2A First St, Booragul | 19 July
Join poet Paris Rosemont for an inspiring session that will ignite your creativity and help you discover your unique poetic voice. More info.

Christmas In July at Earp Distilling Co. – 41A Darling St, Carrington | 20 July
An enchanting community-style lunch with special giveaways, holiday-themed entertainment and Christmas cocktails alongside festive menu favourites like pork belly, roast chicken and boozy berry pudding. More info.

Back-to-Back Combat – The Exchange Hotel, 125 Denison St, Hamilton | 20 July
Join us as we show boxing and UFC live and loud on Newcastle’s biggest screen!
• 10 am: Tszyu v Fundora II
• 12 pm: UFC 318: Holloway v Poirier 3. More info.

Bottomless Lunch – Elementa, 76 The Lane, Maryville, Newcastle | 20 July
Indulge in a bottomless lunch with charcuterie & dip, choice of mimosa or prosecco on arrival, Aperol or mango spritz, espresso martini, margarita, mimosas, wine and beer—followed by arancini, pork belly bites, tempura cauliflower, cheesy chips and churros. More info.

Markets

Newcastle Winter Markets – Dixon Park Beach | 18 July 5 pm – 10 pm; 19 July 12 pm – 8 pm
$2 event entry at the gates (per person)
Expect gourmet food trucks; specialty dessert trucks; market & craft stalls; kids’ rides & jumping castles; $30 kids’ rides wristbands at the rides booth; and carnival & sideshow games. More info.

Homegrown Markets – Speers Point Park | 20 July 10 am – 2 pm
Lake Mac’s largest handmade & design market ~ The perfect place to shop local-made with a huge lineup of makers
Homegrown Markets curate a lineup of quality handmade & design stalls from across the Hunter region in one stunning lakeside location
Lots of on-site & surrounding parking, a large playground, heaps of yummy street food, coffee, kids’ entertainment & more! More info.

July Market – The Esplanade, Warners Bay | 19 July 9 am – 1 pm
Shake off the winter chill and join us for our July market. Vendors will entice you with fabulous food, plants, homewares, fashion, toys and a jumping castle. More info.

Bloom & Gather – Unit 2, 16 Gipps St, Carrington | 19 July 9 am
A brand-new inner-city pop-up market in Carrington, Newcastle! Curated market experience in a rustic-industrial warehouse—rain, hail or shine. More info.

Do you want me to share an event in the Newcastle Digest?

Newcastle Building History: Honeysuckle - Then and Now

Before it became a popular waterfront destination, Honeysuckle was a very different part of Newcastle. For much of the 20th century, the area was home to rail yards, wool stores, warehouses and wharf buildings - part of the city’s busy working port.

By the early 1990s, as industry shifted and jobs moved elsewhere, large sections of the harbour’s edge had fallen into disuse. Many of the buildings were empty, access to the water was limited, and the area felt disconnected from the rest of the city.

That began to change in 1992, when the Honeysuckle Development Corporation was established. The goal was to reconnect Newcastle with its harbour, restore key heritage buildings, improve public access, and create space for new homes, businesses, and public places.

The transformation didn’t happen overnight. Years of groundwork were needed - including environmental clean-up, stabilising the land, and repairing seawalls - before new development could begin.

Today, Honeysuckle is one of Newcastle’s most visited precincts. It’s home to cafés, restaurants, hotels, apartments, office buildings, and cultural spaces like the Newcastle Museum and Maritime Centre. A continuous harbourside path now links Wickham to Nobbys, and people walk, ride and gather along the foreshore every day.

It’s a big change from what stood here 30 years ago - a shift from industrial use to a public place. And while Honeysuckle is still evolving, it’s become a central part of Newcastle’s identity and daily life.

Pet of the week

Thanks to everyone who submitted photos of their Furbaby last week. I have a list to work through.

This week we have Miley, the young Toy Cavoodle. She is just under a year old and her favourite thing to do is zoomies outside.

Want to feature your pet? Reply to this email with a photo of your pet and some info to be featured. Viewing this online? Email [email protected]