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

It’s going to be a hot one today. Stay cool and hydrated.

From weekend events to a fascinating bit of wartime history hiding in Belmont, here’s what’s on this week.

Yochi – Charlestown
Yochi has officially landed in Charlestown, and it’s already become a bit of an addiction. The self-serve frozen yogurt chain opened its doors at the start of the month, and I’ve somehow managed to visit four times already, which probably says enough.

If you haven’t been, it’s a build-your-own frozen yogurt bar with a rotating range of modern flavours and a massive lineup of toppings to pile on. The setup is simple: grab a cup, choose your flavours, go wild with the toppings, and pay by weight. It’s the kind of dessert spot that’s equal parts fun and dangerously easy to overdo.

Even though Yochi is a national brand, the Charlestown store fits right in, bright, clean, and always busy with people debating which flavour to try next. Whether you’re finishing off dinner nearby or just in the mood for something sweet, it’s a solid dessert option that definitely lives up to the hype.

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Bird & Brush Art Exhibition – Morpeth Gallery | 23–26 October 2 pm–9 pm
A showcase of Australia’s most renowned avian artists featuring lifelike paintings of native birds, from Rainbow Lorikeets to Wedge-tailed Eagles. Free entry.

Emergency Services & Community Resilience Expo – Speers Point Park | 25 October 9 am–2 pm
Meet local emergency services teams, explore their equipment and take part in interactive displays. A fun, family-friendly day honouring those who keep our community safe. More info.

Eleebana Public School Spring Fair – Eleebana Public School, Ian St | 25 October 12 pm–7 pm
A full day of rides, games, markets, live entertainment and food stalls. Bring the family for a community celebration supporting local education. More info.

Teralba Lakesiders Junior Fishing Tournament – Teralba | 25–26 October
Catch-and-release competition for juniors aged under 16, with prizes, trophies and certificates for all participants. Free entry.

Trick or Treat at Glendale City Centre – Glendale | 25 October 10 am–2 pm
Join the annual Halloween fun with sweet treats, magic tricks and face painting. Dress up and enjoy a spooky, family-friendly day out. More info.

Oktober Family Fest – Caves Coastal Bar & Bungalows, Caves Beach | 25 October from 2 pm
A Bavarian-style beachside celebration with German beers, pork knuckle, live entertainment and kids’ fun. Free entry, all ages welcome. More info.

Halloween Kids Disco – Club Kotara, 2 Howell St, Kotara | 25 October 3 pm – 7 pm
Get spooky at Club Kotara’s Halloween Kids Disco with a kids’ DJ, jumping castle, face painting, haunted house ($5 wristband), games and costume prizes. A fun afternoon for the whole family. More info.

Pilates & Wine Tasting – STUDIO97, 97 Wilson St, Carrington | 24 October
Unwind with a 45-minute Pilates session followed by a guided tasting of lo-fi wines from Bad Neighbours, paired with snacks and conversation. More info.

Sketch Party – Bank Corner Espresso & Bar, 2 Bellevue St, Newcastle West | 24 October
A relaxed evening of drawing, drinks, and good company. Bring your friends (or houseplants) — all art supplies provided, no cover charge. More info.

Rock Hunter – Back to Back Galleries, 57 Bull St, Cooks Hill | 24 October – 9 November
Mahalia Leckner’s debut solo exhibition showcases ceramics and artworks inspired by Broken Hill’s rugged landscape. Free entry.

‘One of These Nights’ – The Eagles Experience – Shoal Bay Country Club | 24 October
Faithful renditions and soaring harmonies from The Eagles’ greatest hits performed live at the Bay. Tickets $39.80.

Newcastle Comedy Club Showcase – Newcastle Comedy Club, 1a Darby St Newcastle | 24 – 25 October
Weekly showcase featuring rotating local and touring comedians in an intimate New York-style comedy club. Tickets $37 + bf.

Newy Day Club – The Del Hotel, Newcastle | 25 October
An over-30s daytime party with great tunes, drinks and dancefloor fun — for those who love a boogie but still want an early night. More info.

Urban Wine Walk – Various locations in Newcastle | 25 October 12 pm – 4 pm
Explore Newcastle’s bars and laneways as each hosts a winemaker pouring and chatting through their drops. A social afternoon for wine lovers. More info.

Walk for ENCORE – Empire Park, Bar Beach | 25 October
Join a fundraising walk supporting YWCA Hunter’s free ENCORE program for women post-breast cancer. Registration $50. More info.

Urban Sketching: The Majestic Customs House – Customs House Hotel, Newcastle Foreshore | 25 October 12 pm–3 pm
Join The Kotoda for a sketching session at the iconic Customs House. Perfect for all levels — learn new techniques and capture Newcastle’s architectural charm. More info.

The Art of Life Drawing – The DOES Group, 131 Hill St, Carrington | 25 October 3 pm–5:30 pm
A relaxed, creative afternoon of life drawing guided by local artists. All materials provided, open to beginners and experienced sketchers alike. More info.

Newcastle Pride Fair Day – Gregson Park, Hamilton | 25 October 11 am–6 pm
The region’s biggest LGBTQIA+ event returns with live music, drag shows, markets, food, kids’ zone, and the famous Doggywood Parade. A free, inclusive celebration for all. More info.

Oaktoberfest – The Oak, Tighes Hill | 26 October
A three-course long lunch celebrating beer, pork knuckle and pretzels with live music from The High Andies. $55 pp. More info.

A Long Lunch at Locks Paddock – 16 Watt St, Newcastle | 26 October from 12 pm
The annual winemaker’s long lunch returns, featuring Scotty Comyn’s wines and a multi-course feast. $150 pp.

Bottomless Brunch at MEET – King St, Newcastle | 26 October 1 pm – 3:30 pm
Celebrate 10 years of MEET with a Brazilian BBQ feast, two hours of drinks, live music and dancers. $105 pp.

The Huneez ‘Tiger in My Dreams’ Single Launch – Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington | 26 October
Free live music as The Huneez celebrate their new single alongside local artists meedie and MOODWATCH. More info.

Live on the Green – Mayfield West Bowling Club, 4 Norris Ave Mayfield | 26 October 3 pm – 6 pm
An afternoon of classic hits with The Years. Family-friendly with bistro meals, seating on the green and good vibes.

Tomaree Peninsula Photography Club Annual Exhibition – Soldiers Point Bowling Club | 25–26 October 10 am–4 pm
Explore stunning photographic works from local artists at this annual exhibition celebrating creativity and the natural beauty of the region.

Homegrown Markets × Newcastle Pride Fair – Gregson Park, Hamilton | 25 October 11 am–4 pm
Homegrown Markets join Pride Fair Day with stalls from local makers, food vendors, community groups, and live performances. Family-friendly and free to attend. More info.

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If you’ve ever driven across Cold Tea Creek in Belmont, you’ve unknowingly crossed what was once part of Newcastle’s World War II defences.

In the closing months of 1942, engineers dredged and straightened Cold Tea Creek, a small, tea-coloured waterway connecting Lake Macquarie to the sea, to create an anti-tank ditch. It formed part of the southern perimeter of Fortress Newcastle, built as a deterrent against a possible Japanese landing on Nine Mile Beach and an advance north toward the city’s industrial heart.

The defences were extensive. On the southern bank, two interlocking rows of concrete tetrahedrons (tank traps) were installed to block enemy vehicles. On the northern side, vertical timber posts, known as Dumble Tank Stops, were driven into the ground every few feet to form a secondary barrier. Twenty-seven acres of surrounding scrub were also cleared to deny cover to enemy forces.

The line was never used in combat, but it stood ready, a physical reminder of the uncertainty of the time. Today, only fragments remain: a handful of posts along the creek and two original concrete blocks, now preserved in Ken Lambkin Reserve as a quiet memorial.

🎥 Story originally featured by @ourpast.au, who share fascinating glimpses into Australia’s wartime history.