Good morning, Newcastle! Welcome back to the Newcastle Digest. I hope you are having a great start to your week. This week is not as jam-packed as previous weeks, but you will still find plenty to do. Hope you enjoy.

Table of Contents

• Eats

• Live Music

• Events

• Miscellaneous

Local Gem (Roadtrip Edition): Artisan Farmer - Nabiac

Now, this is a bit unusual for me, but I’m featuring something outside of the Newcastle area. If you’re ever heading north on the Pacific Highway, Artisan Farmer in Nabiac is a must-stop.

Just a short detour off the highway, this spot is a paddock-to-plate regional farm experience rolled into one, complete with a café, deli, and bakery. Open for breakfast and lunch, the menu covers everything from hearty cooked meals to fresh baked goods and quality deli produce you can take home.

It’s a spacious, welcoming venue with plenty to browse, and the food is seriously impressive. Whether you're after a sit-down meal or just grabbing something for the road, Artisan Farmer is well worth pencilling into your next road trip north.

Newcastle trivia

Friday 27 June

Saturday 28 June

Sunday 29 June

Families

Knights vs Raiders – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle | 27 June | Gates 5:15 pm; NSW Cup 5:30 pm; NRL 8 pm
Join us for Round 17 as the Knights face the Canberra Raiders in the Mark Hughes Foundation’s Beanie for Brain Cancer Round. Wear your beanie with pride and support an incredible cause. More info.

Snow Time in the Garden – Hunter Valley Gardens | 28 June – 27 July
Enjoy a fun-filled day of icy activities at Hunter Valley Garden’s winter festival Snow Time in the Garden. Create a snow angel or build a snowman in the Mega Snow Play Zone, race down the Giant Ice Toboggan and glide across the massive Ice Skating Rink. Plus there’s amazing amusement rides, roving entertainment, hearty food and warm beverages. More info.

Pick Your Own Oranges Season Start – Cedar Farm, Dooralong | 28 & 29 June
Orange picking season starts soon! You can pick oranges straight off the trees at Dooralong – less than an hour’s drive from Newcastle. Cedar Farm opens for the season on 28 & 29 June and is open every day during the July school holidays before reverting to weekends only. More info.

One Song Sing – Lake Macquarie – Charlestown Square | 29 June
One Song Sing is the Hunter’s pop-up choir: learn and perform “Halo” by Beyoncé within an hour. Open to all ages (children must be accompanied). More info.

Adults

Dobell’s Lake – A Felting Adventure – Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, 2A First Street, Booragul | 26 June
In this one-day workshop, artist Amanda Donohue will introduce participants to the principles and techniques of felting, helping them to create their own soft sculpture. Materials supplied.
Cost: $81–$90

Drawing for relaxation with Sue Vesely – Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, 1A First Street, Booragul | 20 & 27 June | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Join artist Sue Vesely for an introductory drawing workshop focusing on calming techniques and meditative drawing. Materials included.
Cost: $22.50–$25 per session

The Hunter’s Pantry Reopens – Shop 9, The Junction Village, 10–16 Kenrick St, The Junction | 28 June
Newcastle’s go-to cooking and food supplies shop, The Hunter’s Pantry has relocated, and reopens this Saturday. More info.

Newcastle Comedy Festival – Various venues across Newcastle | 28 June – 12 July
Experience a lineup of some of the country’s funniest comedians at Newcastle Comedy Festival, taking place at venues across the city. More info.

Sago Sun Flea – The Hamilton Community Hive, 152 Beaumont St, Hamilton | 29 June
Newcastle’s biggest vintage-preloved-unisex clothing market is happening again this month in Hamilton. More info.

Glenrock Bushwalk – Glenrock State Recreation Area | 28 June | 10 am – 1:30 pm
Step into nature on the Yuelarbah Walking Track in the heart of Glenrock State Conservation Area! More info.

GABS 2025 Tap Showcase – Various venues, Newcastle | 26 June – 28 June
Join our 13th Annual GABS Tap Showcase: sample the best of this year’s GABS festival beers without leaving Newcastle. The special ‘GABS’ Mega Burger returns for three days. More info.

Wigs & Wacky Shirts – Lambton Park Hotel | 28 June | 6:30 pm
Senior players and supporters are invited to Wigs & Wacky Shirts night—celebrating Pride Round with optional karaoke at Jams afterward. More info.

Street Feast – Lambton Park | 29 June | 4 pm – 9 pm
Lambton Park Street Feast: food trucks, dessert stalls & boutique retail. BA. Free entry. More info.

Burning of the Barrel – Glandor Estate Wines | 28 June | 3 pm – 10 pm
Winter’s biggest bonfire at Glandor Estate Wines! Live music, Well Seasoned Catering, wine, fireworks & great company. More info.

Street Feast Stockton – Griffith Park, Stockton | 28 June | 4 pm – 10 pm
Street Feast returns with food trucks, dessert stalls & boutique retail. Full lineup TBA. Free entry. More info.

Markets

Hunter Valley Winter Market – Bimbadgen | 29 June | 10 am – 2 pm
Homegrown Markets Winter Market at Bimbadgen in the Hunter Valley! Handmade & design stalls • Yummy street food • Live local musos • Outdoor wine bar & cellar door • On-site parking • Desserts & freshly baked goods • Gourmet produce & more. More info.

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Newcastle History: Nobbys Lighthouse - Guiding Ships Since 1854

Perched above the harbour on Nobbys Head, Nobbys Lighthouse has been guiding ships into the Hunter River since 1854. It’s one of Newcastle’s most recognisable landmarks.

Built to support the growing coal port, the lighthouse was essential for safely navigating vessels through the often unpredictable entrance to the harbour. Before its construction, entering the river was a risky task, especially in poor weather or at night. Nobbys quickly became a trusted beacon for seafarers arriving from across the world.

The lighthouse itself is modest in size, but it’s surrounded by three historic cottages that tell their own story. During World War II, they housed defence personnel stationed in Newcastle. Later, the site remained active as part of the harbour’s signal station network until as recently as 2001.

Beyond its function, Nobbys Head is a striking natural landmark. Originally an island, it was connected to the mainland by convict-built Macquarie Pier, now the Nobbys Breakwall - a popular walking path for locals and visitors alike. The lighthouse sits above it all, offering sweeping views over the city, harbour, and out to sea.

Today, Nobbys Lighthouse is still in use and heritage-listed. Getting there requires a short walk or cycle along the breakwall, followed by a brief uphill climb - but the views, and the sense of Newcastle’s maritime history, are well worth the effort.

It’s a place where the past meets the present. A beacon still shining. A city still looking out to sea.