Happy Wednesday, Newcastle. Welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.

Hope everyone managed to still have a good weekend despite the poor weather. Fingers crossed for better coditions this weekend.

Have a great rest of your week.

Table of Contents

• Eats

• Events

• Activities

• Miscellaneous

Have your say

I would like to get your opinion on your favourite food segments. I am by no means a food reviewer or want to be so; I will always take a civilian’s approach to food in the newsletter. Some of the topics I have done have been Local gems, best date nights, best breakfasts and of course, the best burger quest.

Openings

Cargo Skyline Espresso Bar - Unit 1/3 Skyline Way, Gateshead

From the shores of Redhead to the heart of Gateshead’s industrial pocket, Cargo Espresso have expanded with a new venture – Cargo Skyline Espresso Bar.

Newcastle Food Month

Newcastle Food Month is back for its fifth year. See featured events.

Newcastle trivia

Thursday 3 April

Friday 4 April

Saturday 5 April

Sunday 6 April

Advertise with the Newcastle Digest

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Families

HMC’s Multicultural Fiesta – Waratah Reserve | 5 April 10am – 3pm

Join in for a day of culture, community, and connection at the 2025 Multicultural Fiesta, proudly presented by Hunter Multicultural Communities (HMC). With two stages of live entertainment, a global feast of cuisines, and family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. More info.

Mega Creatures – Hunter Valley Gardens | 5 April – 4 May

Mega Creatures is back for another bite! Brand new in 2025 is the Land of Legends. Explore & discover amazing prehistoric dinosaurs, crawling insects and mythical creatures, including the giant T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Spinosaurus and more. More info.

Mega Creatures Night Safari – Hunter Valley Gardens | 5 April – 4 May

Mega Creatures Night Safari is back and brand new in 2025 is the Land of Legends. Take over the night and join Hunter Valley Gardens in an awe-inspiring after-dark experience where imagination knows no bounds! Explore & discover amazing prehistoric dinosaurs, crawling insects and mythical creatures, including the giant T-Rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Spinosaurus and more. More info.

Hill to Harbour – Newcastle Foreshore | 6 April

This iconic Newcastle running event is now a stand-alone event, staged on a new and permanent 12km version of a beautiful course from Bar Beach to Carrington. Also on offer, for runners or walkers who are not quite up to the full 12km of the longer event, is the Halfa Hill to Harbour 6km event and 2K4FUN. Children aged 4+ can enter. More info. 

Olive Tree – Civic Park, Newcastle | 5 April, 9am – 2pm

Returning in 2025 is the Olive Tree, again showcasing an incredible lineup of makers and artists.

One Act Play Festival - Warners Bay Theatre | 5 April, 1am-3pm

The Lake Macquarie One Act Play Festival is a theatre competition showcasing short, sharp and exhilarating one-act plays from Lake Macquarie and beyond. More info.

Adults

Newcastle Singles – Charlie's Rooftop, 529 Hunter St, Newcastle | 3 April

Thursday Newcastle is taking over Charlie's Rooftop, and they're filling it with single people - no speed dating, no swiping just real connections. More info.

Candyland Afterdark – Bartholomew's, 145 King St, Newcastle | 3 April

Magic, cabaret, burlesque, dazzling displays, elegantly dangling, circus meets cabaret at Bartholomew's. More info.

Women Embrace Tai Chi & Morning Tea - Speers Point | 3 April

Join us for a fun morning as we explore the ancient art of Tai Chi on the shoreside park of Lake Macquarie, NSW. We'll share a delicious morning tea in the park to celebrate our new zen skill set! More info.

10 Years of Eat Your Water – Earp Distilling Co., 41 Darling St, Carrington | 4 April

We’re celebrating a decade with one hell of a party by bringing a bunch of our favourite bands together at Earp distillery. With the help of our mates Young Henry’s + Holy Pavlova expect a jam-packed evening with good music + good beer. Cost: $47.50 pp

Barrels & Brews – FogHorn Brewery, 218 King St, Newcastle | 4 April, 6pm

Reuniting two of our region's world-class artisan wine and beer producers, meet the makers of First Creek Wines and Foghorn Brewery and experience the passion that both bring to their craft. Cost: $99 per person.

Boyzlife – Civic Theatre, 375 Hunter St, Newcastle | 4 April

Boyzlife, the musical supergroup formed by Brian McFadden of Westlife and Keith Duffy of Boyzone, delivers an unforgettable evening of revered anthems that defined the 1990s and 2000s. More info. 

Rewind: 2000s Dance Party – The Exchange Hotel, Newcastle | 4 April, 8pm

Our Rewind: 2000s Dance Party is resurrecting every iconic club banger on Friday 4th April from 8pm. Entry is free. More info.

Newcastle Writers Festival – Various venues throughout Newcastle | 4 – 6 April

Now one of the largest regional literary festivals in Australia, NWF will feature 120 writers across 90 free and ticketed events. The program includes one-on-one interviews with Australia's best and brightest writers, as well as panel discussions, book launches and readings. More info.

MOA and Co Community Day – MOA and Co, 16 Gipps St, Carrington | 5 April

A community day to showcase all that MOA has to offer. Free Yoga and Mat Pilates classes from 8am till 12pm, cooking demonstrations by AJ from CONJURUP, taste testing, farmers markets, bakery and the coffee van. Cost: FREE. More info. 

'Shadow.' The Next Group Show for Pseudonym. – Pseudonym Gallery + Creative Space, 7 Robert St, Wickham | 5 April

The next 'conversation' from the new Pseudonym Gallery engages 28 Artists in the concept of Shadow, and what it means to them. Covering darkness, shadow work, hope and healing. It's a big, raw, vulnerable and breathtaking exhibition. More info. 

Cocktail & Canapés with a Twist – The Nags Head Hotel, 272 Brunker Rd, Adamstown | 5 April, 7pm

An exclusive Cocktails & Canapés event 5th April at 7pm! Enjoy 4 cocktails, 5 canapés, & insider secrets on what made us Cocktail List of the Year! Then, kick on to the after-party with $14 cocktails & a live DJ from 8pm. More info.

TBH Saturdays ft. Chase Zera – The Beach Hotel, 99 Frederick St, Merewether | 5 April

DJ Chase Zera headlines TBH Saturday for Great Southern Nights. Known for her dance-pop sound and high-energy sets, Zera has performed alongside Bag Raiders, Dub Time Machine and more. Live music from 1pm, with DJs from 7pm. More info. More info.

Rosè All Day – Customs House, 1 Bond St, Newcastle | 5 April, 12pm – 4pm

Enjoy five exquisite Hunter Valley rosés paired with a Mediterranean-style tapas menu. Wines from Charteris, Comyns & Co, De Iuliis, First Creek, and Wren wineries, all set against the backdrop of Customs House. Cost: $120pp. More info. 

Sarah Blasko – Civic Theatre, 375 Hunter St, Newcastle | 5 April

I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain Regional Tour is coming to Newcastle. More info.

Azimuth – The Exchange Hotel, 125 Denison St, Hamilton | 6 April – 28 October

The New Artists Collective presents Azimuth, a group exhibition delving into direction, movement, and inner guidance. Featuring 14 emerging artists from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. Join us for the opening night 6 – 9pm, 28 March. More info.

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

Newcastle History: Shepherd's Hill - Guardian of the City

Once known as 'Sheep Pasture Hills', Shepherd's Hill transformed into a pivotal military stronghold overlooking Newcastle. In the late 19th century, responding to potential threats, an 8-inch disappearing gun emplacement was constructed, a marvel designed to protect the city and its vital coalfields. This marked the beginning of Shepherd's Hill's strategic importance, complemented by a network of underground rooms and the iconic Gunner's Cottage.

As the 20th century unfolded, and especially with the looming threat of WWII, Newcastle's industrial might, particularly in munitions production, made its defense paramount.

Shepherd's Hill rose to become the central nervous system of the region's coastal defenses. A crucial Observation Post, perched high on the hill, coordinated the fire control for batteries at Fort Scratchley, Fort Wallace in Stockton, and Tomaree at Port Stephens. This central command, utilising advancements in communication, ensured a response to any potential attack.

Today, Shepherd's Hill stands as a significant historical landmark. The remnants of its fortifications and the still-standing Gunner's Cottage offer a tangible connection to Newcastle's past, illustrating its crucial role in Australia's defense strategy and the changing face of military technology over time. It's a reminder that this seemingly peaceful vantage point once held the responsibility for safeguarding our city.

Community in Action: Raffle for a Remedy! (Reader Submission!)

We love hearing about the amazing things happening in our community, and this week's "Community in Action" comes to us courtesy of one of our very own Newcastle Digest readers! Their school, Merewether High School, is undertaking a fantastic fundraising effort, aiming to raise an ambitious $50,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation through their annual participation in the World's Greatest Shave.

The Leukaemia Foundation is the only national foundation dedicated to supporting Australians affected by blood cancers, funding vital research and providing crucial support to patients and their families. With the sobering statistic that one Australian is diagnosed with blood cancer every 27 minutes, this cause hits close to home for so many.

This year, a dedicated team of students at Merewether High are bravely shaving, dying, or cutting their hair to raise funds. To help them reach their impressive $50,000 goal, they're holding a "Raffle for a Remedy!"

By purchasing a raffle ticket (or a few!), you'll not only be in with a chance to win incredible prizes generously donated by local Newcastle businesses (think gift vouchers, products, and amazing experiences!), but you'll also be directly contributing to a vital cause championed by our local students.