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

Happy Father’s Day for this weekend to all of the Dad readers, and I hope your loved ones have planned to spoil you, as I am sure you deserve it!

Have a great rest of your week.

Fairmont Diner - Carrington

Fairmont Diner feels like stepping back into a classic American eatery, tucked away in Carrington. Think old-school charm, casual vibes, and a menu stacked with hearty favourites alongside excellent coffee.

We grabbed a croissant and a breakfast burrito, and honestly, the burrito might just be the best in Newcastle. It’s a small spot with limited seating and no reservations, so arrive early, grab a booth, and soak up the diner atmosphere.

Lord of the Dance – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow | 4 September from 7pm
Michael Flatley’s legendary Irish dance spectacle returns with 40 of the world’s best dancers, epic music, and high energy stagecraft.
Tickets from $132.45 + BF. More info.

Nature Makers Family Workshop – Landcare and Sustainable Living Centre, umali barai-ku, Booragul | 7 September 10am – 11:30am
Eco-friendly craft and gardening activities for kids aged 3–12 and their grown-ups. Free entry, all materials provided. More info.

Newcastle’s Ultimate Dog Festival – Hunter Multicultural Communities Inc, Waratah | 7 September from 10am
A free, family-friendly event packed with dog stalls, food trucks, competitions, and wagging tails. Expect best trick contests, pup fashion, and plenty of treats for both humans and hounds. More info.

An Evening with Tulloch Wines – Signal Box, 155 Wharf Road, Newcastle | 4 September
Enjoy a collaborative dinner celebrating shared heritage, local produce, and boutique wine, hosted by Signal Box and Tulloch Wines.

Father's Day at The Beach Hotel – 99 Frederick Street, Merewether | 5 September
A 5-course bourbon dinner in partnership with Buffalo Trace, featuring beer can chicken, brisket, and more. Each booking includes a bottle of Buffalo Trace and a gift bag.

La Ronde – The Spiegeltent Newcastle, Civic Park | 5 September – 5 October
A seductive, circus-meets-cabaret spectacle from the creators of Blanc de Blanc and LIMBO. Raw, bold, and unlike anything else in Newcastle. More info.

Clay and Sip Class – The Art Department, 133 King Street, Newcastle | 5 – 7 September
Get messy with clay while you sip your favourite wine. A hands-on, guided workshop with all tools provided and tunes playing. More info.

Vinyl Sessions: DJ Bonnie Anne – Good Folk Brewing Co, Hamilton | 5 September from 7pm
All-vinyl DJ night with crackly records, mellow grooves, and relaxed vibes. Perfect for a Friday night wind-down. More info.

The 39 Steps – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 5 & 6 September
A fast-paced, award-winning comedy that fuses Hitchcock’s classic thriller with Monty Python absurdity. Four actors play over 130 roles. More info.

Fractured: Not Another Fairy Tale – Playhouse, Civic Theatre | 5 September 6pm & 6 September 3pm & 6pm
A twisted, witty take on beloved fairytales. Expect goldilocks heists, vegan wolves, and grandma wrestlers. More info.

Crystals, Creatives & Mystics Fair – Wallsend Diggers, New Lambton | 6 & 7 September
Two days of crystal stalls, healers, henna tattoos, workshops and spiritual vibes. Family-friendly and indoors. More info.

Pours in the Port – Earp Distilling Co. & surrounds, Carrington | 6 September 11am – 5pm
Self-guided tasting trail across Carrington with local brewers, distillers and winemakers pouring exclusive drops. 18+ only.
Tickets $80–$99. More info.

Conversations that Matter – East Maitland Library | 6 September 3pm – 4:30pm
Panel featuring Yumi Stynes, Emma Grey and Top Blokes discussing masculinity, consent, mental health, and respectful relationships.
Tickets $15 + BF

The Doctor’s Wife + Jack n Jel – Old Savoy Theatre, New Lambton | 6 September 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Live music by Newcastle duo The Doctor’s Wife and support act Jack n Jel. Original harmonies and local acoustic tunes. More info.

Newcastle Comedy Club Showcase – 1a Darby Street, Newcastle | 5 & 6 September 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Top comedians from across Australia perform in Newcastle's home of comedy. Intimate, energetic, and unfiltered.
Tickets $39–42

Cheers, Old Man! – Method Brewing, 18 Maitland Road, Islington | 7 September 12pm – 7pm
Celebrate Father’s Day the Method way with Louisiana-style eats, DJ Tone, a new hazy IPA release and merch giveaways. Bookings recommended.

Father's Day Bonus Raffles – All Wests Clubs, 88 Hobart Road, New Lambton | 7 September
Special Father’s Day prizes up for grabs in addition to regular Sunday raffles across all five Wests venues.

Father’s Day Silly Socks BBQ – Shout Brewing Co, 22 Clyde Street, Islington | 7 September 12pm – 6pm
Dad joke comp, BBQ feeds, $7 schooners, raffle prizes and kids' activities. Wear your silliest socks.

Alfresco Radio – Scottie’s, 36 Scott Street, Newcastle East | 7 September
Chilled Father’s Day afternoon with BBQ, wine, and great music on the lawn. Walk-ins welcome.

Father's Day at Earp Distilling Co. – 41A Darling Street, Carrington | 7 September
Set menu or dine a la carte. All dads receive a complimentary 200mL bottle of Reggie’s Rum with their meal.

Star Sign Paint & Sip with Live Tarot Readings – Mayfield Bowlo, 2a Ingall Street, Mayfield | 7 September from 1pm
An afternoon of cosmic creativity blending star sign–inspired painting with live tarot readings. Sip drinks, explore your astrological energy, and get mystical in this guided artistic experience. More info.

Taste of Africa Father’s Day – Fletcher Community Centre, 55 Kurraka Drive | 7 September
Enjoy an African feast with Abula, Nkwobi, and more. Family-friendly, flavour-packed, and full of cultural vibes.

Father’s Day at The Exchange – 125 Denison Street, Hamilton | 7 September
Shout Dad a main meal and he’ll get a free schooner of house beer.

Father's Day Breakfast Cruise – All Event Cruises, Wharf Road, Newcastle | 7 September 9am – 11:30am
Enjoy breakfast on a luxury yacht cruise around Newcastle Harbour.
Adults $79; Children under 15 $49. More info.

Father's Day Lunch Cruise – All Event Cruises, Wharf Road, Newcastle | 7 September 12:30pm – 3pm
Buffet lunch, views, and family time on a 2.5-hour harbour cruise.
Adults $79; Children under 15 $49. More info.

Father’s Day Luncheon Cruise – Nova Cruises, Honeysuckle Drive | 7 September
Board The Princess for a scenic lunch cruise with buffet, drinks and beautiful views. Free drink on arrival. More info.

Olive Tree Market – Civic Park, Newcastle | 6 September 9am – 2pm
A staple of Newcastle’s art and design scene. Shop handmade wares, meet local makers, and enjoy food trucks and live music. More info.

Homegrown Markets – Speers Point Park, Speers Point | 7 September 10am – 2pm
Lake Macquarie’s largest handmade and design market is the perfect place to shop for Dad. With a huge lineup of makers, delicious food, live tunes and a scenic lakeside setting, it’s a family-friendly day out. More info.

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

Sitting on the hill at East Maitland, Maitland Gaol is one of the Hunter’s most imposing landmarks, a sandstone fortress that held some of Australia’s most notorious criminals for 150 years.

Construction began in 1844, and prisoners were moved in by 1848. At the time, it was part of a new wave of “inspectors’ gaols” built across New South Wales under the colonial architect’s designs. For the next century and a half, Maitland became the longest continuously operating prison in Australia, finally closing its gates in 1998.

Its history is as grim as it is fascinating. Public hangings were held outside the gates until 1861, with sixteen men executed at the site between 1849 and 1897. Corporal punishment was carried out here too, including the last flogging in NSW in 1905. Later years saw riots, escape attempts, tunnels, rooftop protests, and infamous inmates such as Ivan Milat, Neddy Smith, Darcy Dugan, and Kevin Crump.

By the 1970s, Maitland had become a maximum-security facility, notorious for its tough conditions. A riot in 1975 caused massive damage, and escape attempts continued into the 1980s and ’90s, though nearly all escapees were quickly recaptured.

The gaol finally closed in 1998, no longer suitable for modern correctional standards. For two decades, it operated as a popular tourist attraction and museum, offering guided tours, ghost hunts, and concerts within its sandstone walls. Today, the site is heritage-listed, recognised as the most intact 19th-century country gaol in NSW.

Although currently closed to the public for safety reasons, Maitland Gaol remains a striking reminder of the darker side of the Hunter’s history - a place of punishment, escape, and legend.

Father’s Day this Sunday, I have included some events above. For the full and comprehensive list, check out HunterHunters article below.