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

Hope everyone is staying dry with the poor weather over the last couple of days, hopefully this clears up quickly.

Have a great rest of the week.

Table of Contents

• Eats

• Live Music

• Events

• Miscellaneous

Local Gem: Kimchi House of Korea – Hamilton

Last week we finally paid a visit to Kimchi House of Korea on Beaumont Street -one of those spots I’ve walked past countless times but never stepped into. It came recommended, and now I get why.

After chatting with the friendly man running the restaurant (who I assume is the owner), he told us that Kimchi House is the last Korean-run Korean restaurant in Newcastle - and it shows in the food. Everything felt authentic, homemade, and served with heart.

We ordered the BBQ O-Sam (pork and squid) and the BBQ Bulgogi — both generous plates that came with rice and a variety of classic Korean sides. To top it off, we had a Korean beer and some soju, all very reasonably priced.

The space has a warm, homely vibe that makes you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. If you're after a proper Korean meal in Newcastle, this one’s worth adding to your list.

I am exploring the idea of creating an event to bring people together, whether it's a happy hour, a trivia night, or something along those lines. Please let me know if that interests you in the poll below.

Newcastle trivia

Friday 4 July

Saturday 5 July

Sunday 6 July

Families

Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero – Newcastle Entertainment Centre | 3 – 6 July
Grab your mouse ears and get ready for a party as Disney On Ice skates into Newcastle again. This much-loved family favourite ice spectacular returns with Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero in Newcastle from 3 to 6 July 2025.
Cost: Tickets from $25

Mayfield MINI Arts Trail – Mayfield | 5 July
Did you know there are 27 public artworks in Mayfield? Pick up a map from one of the participating cafes in Mayfield and take a self-guided tour. Talk to the 20 local artists painting live on the trail and 10 musicians performing for your entertainment.
Cost: Free

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!
Cost: Tickets from $35

Newcastle Brickfest: A LEGO Fan Event – Newcastle Racecourse | 5 & 6 July
Newcastle Brickfest, a premier LEGO fan event is on again this year. This year’s event promises to be an even more immersive and inclusive experience, showcasing the awe-inspiring creativity of Australia’s top LEGO builders while raising vital funds for the John Hunter Children’s Hospital Kids Club. More info. 

Adults

Musical Bingo at Grainfed – Grainfed Brewing Company, 1/52 Young Rd, Lambton | 3 July
Musical bingo, bingo playlists developed by the audience. This week Grainfed will be playing “Happiness” alongside “Heartache and Disappointment”. No need to be an expert—they’ll help you succeed. Three prizes and a paper-aeroplane comp.
Cost: Free (just bring your friends). More info.

Thursday Dating Event (no speed dating) – Blue Kahunas, 3/146 Hunter St, Newcastle | 3 July
Fun singles event at one of the best cocktail bars in Newy—no speed dating, just a bar full of single people! Come meet new people, make friends and hopefully spark some connections. More info.

Newcastle Art gallery Singles Event - The Owen’s Collective Art Gallery | 3 July

Brush up on your mingling skills and meet your match among masterpieces at our singles night at The Owen’s Collective Art Gallery in Newcastle. More info.

2000s RnB Night – Shoal Bay Country Club, 35–45 Shoal Bay Rd, Shoal Bay | 4 July | 8:30 pm
Get ready to hit the dancefloor as Mathmatics spins all the iconic R&B hits from the 2000s right through till late. Entry is free, so gather your crew for a night of non-stop nostalgia. More info.

Cheers to the Throwback – The Exchange Hotel, 125 Denison St, Hamilton | 4 July | 8 pm
Join us for our 145 Years of Cheers celebration! Entry is free, and we’re giving away 145 Vodka Red Bulls between 8–9 pm. Don’t miss out—this is just the beginning. More info.

Cheers to the Years – The Exchange Hotel, 125 Denison St, Hamilton | 5 July | from 5 pm
Continue the celebrations with 45% off drinks from 5–7 pm, DJs from 6 pm, Ignita band live from 9 pm, and free entry all night! More info.

Wine n’ Dine – Âpé Chilean Nikkei; Customs House Hotel; MIINE; Roxanne | 5 July | 12 pm – 4 pm
Discover Newcastle through a self-guided progressive long lunch at four iconic venues—each paired with a standout Australian winemaker.
Cost: Four-course trail $109 pp

Paco Lara Duende Flamenco Show – Warners Bay Theatre, 39 Lake St, Warners Bay | 5 July | 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Paco Lara Duende Flamenco Show and his troupe bring the soul and spirit of Spanish flamenco to life with DUENDE.
Tickets: $40–$44

Women’s Labour Performance – Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, 96 Creek Reserve Rd, Speers Point | 5 July
Women’s Labour reclaims domestic tools as powerful instruments of sound, expression and resistance in a feminist activist performance. More info.

International Rugby: AUS V FIJI – McDonald Jones Stadium, 294 Turton Rd, Broadmeadow | 6 July
Catch the flying Fijians as they take on the Wallabies, returning to Newcastle for the first time since 2020. More info.

KAHM Courtyard: Style & Seconds Sunday – KAHM Collective Courtyard + both stores | 6 July | 9 am – 3 pm
Join us for our very first KAHM Courtyard: Style & Seconds Sunday.
〰️ Racks of this season’s KAHM fashion — up to 70% off
〰️ Pre-loved fashion racks from our beautiful community
〰️ Massive storewide SALE in both our Lifestyle + Boutique stores
〰️ Feel-good vibes, fresh fashion & epic savings. More info.

Gin High Tea with The Farmer’s Wife – Bartholomew’s, 145 King St, Newcastle | 6 July
Executive Chef Jeremy Fahy and mixologist Ryan Duck team up with Farmer’s Wife Gin for a decadent menu paired with native-botanical cocktails. More info.

Markets

Bloom with MOA Twilight Market – 16 Gipps St, Carrington | 4 July
MOA and Co and Bloom with Us collaborate on a twilight market, hosting creative makers, food-tasting experiences and food trucks throughout a multi-warehouse space and outdoor area. More info.

Olive Tree Market – Civic Park, corner of King & Darby St, Newcastle | 6 July | 9 am – 2 pm
Newcastle’s premier art and design market returns for a family-friendly day out! Browse stalls from contemporary artists and designers while enjoying parkside vibes. More info.

Homegrown Markets – Speers Point Park, Lake Macquarie | 6 July | 10 am – 2 pm
Lake Mac’s largest handmade & design market ~ shop local-made goods from a huge lineup of regional makers, enjoy street food, coffee, kids’ entertainment and more. More info.

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

Newcastle Building History: The Roundhouse (Now Crystalbrook Kingsley)

One of Newcastle’s most recognisable buildings - the Roundhouse has come full circle.

Opened in 1977 as the Newcastle Council City Administration Centre, the building was designed by renowned architects Romberg and Boyd, in collaboration with Wilson and Suters. The circular design was bold for its time, sparking mixed reactions from the public. Love it or not, the Roundhouse quickly became part of the city’s identity.

The building was constructed to ease overcrowding at Newcastle City Hall, which had served the council since 1929. At the time, staff were squeezed into a building designed for a much smaller local government area. The site, once occupied by tin sheds and a sheet metal works, was purchased in 1969. Construction was complicated by a high water table, which required a deep excavation and an underground dam.

Architect Frederick Romberg, also the foundation Professor of Architecture at the University of Newcastle, helped shape the building’s distinct modernist form. For over 40 years, it housed council staff and played a central role in the city’s civic life.

In 2021, the Roundhouse entered a new chapter as the Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle’s first five-star hotel. The redevelopment preserved the building’s unique architecture while transforming its interior into a modern space complete with 130 rooms, a rooftop restaurant (aptly named Roundhouse), and a rooftop bar (Romberg’s) offering sweeping views over the harbour and city skyline.

The name Kingsley pays homage to Newcastle’s early colonial name, Kingston, used briefly in 1804.

From civic administration to boutique hospitality, the Roundhouse remains a striking part of the city’s skyline, a symbol of Newcastle’s ability to blend history, design, and modern living.

School Holiday

As school holidays are approaching, the team at Newy with Kids has created a comprehensive list of activities for the kids to keep them busy.