Hello Newcastle!

Welcome back to The Newcastle Digest - your weekly lowdown on all things local.

Table of Contents

• Eats

• Live Music

• Events

• Miscellaneous

• Sport

Local Gem: Busan Chicken Hub

New to the heart of Newcastle after earning its stripes in Cardiff, Busan Chicken Hub brings authentic Korean fried‑chicken flavours right to our doorstep. Off the back of my travel through Korea last December, I was intrigued to see if they would live up to that quality. Safe to say, they do.

On my visit, I tried both the sticky‑sweet yangnyeom chicken and the snow‑cheese chicken. Both were delicious, and the fries held their own. Serving sizes are huge.

I also liked their ramen station (pictured below), where you pick your packet of noodles and prepare it yourself in‑store. They offer a solid selection of Korean drinks, from soft drinks and beer to bottles of soju.

Whether you’re craving a taste of Korea or simply looking for a reliably delicious bite, Busan Chicken Hub is a spot you can count on. Have you been? Let us know what you thought!

Newcastle trivia

Friday 9 May

Saturday 10 May

Sunday 11 May

Families

Mother’s Day Classic – Newcastle – Griffith Park, Wharf Crescent, Stockton Foreshore | 11 May
Start this Mother’s Day at the beautiful Stockton Foreshore raising money for lifesaving breast and ovarian cancer research at the Mother’s Day Classic 5 km walk/run event. Enjoy food/market stalls, face painting and games for kids. More info.

NSW Fire & Rescue – Station Open Day – Participating Fire & Rescue NSW fire stations | 10 May | 10 am – 2 pm
Join your local Fire & Rescue NSW fire station for their annual Open Day. Meet the firefighters, see specialised equipment and fire trucks – all while learning how a working smoke alarm can help save lives this winter.

CraftAlive Newcastle – Newcastle Racecourse, Darling Street, Broadmeadow | 8 May – 10 May | 9:30 am – 4 pm
Kits, supplies and equipment. Free parking and easy access. CraftAlive is a hands‑on event with interactive classes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Please note entry tickets are not day specific; class bookings are day‑ and time‑specific. We recommend booking ahead to secure your spot. Tickets: Adult $18; Concession/Student $16; Multi‑day $28; Children (14 & under) free. More info.

Street Feast Newcastle – Camp Shortland | 9 May | 4pm - late
Join us for a night of food trucks, dessert stalls, boutique retail stalls & music. Full lineup to be announced! Watch this space! More info.

Adults

Japanese Pop‑Up Night @ MODUS – MODUS Merewether, 20 Merewether Street, Merewether | 9 May
$1 GYOZA special and a limited‑release beer launched exclusively at MODUS Merewether. The entire venue is decked out to deliver authentic izakaya vibes. More info.

James Rhodes Solo Exhibition Opening Night – Wester Gallery, 39 Bolton Street, Ground Floor, Newcastle | 9 May
Art Gallery exhibition opening night. More info.

Knights V Titans – McDonald Jones Stadium, 294 Turton Road, Broadmeadow | 9 May | 6 pm
Get in your red and blue and cheer on the Newcastle Knights as they take on the Titans at home. More info.

Conrad Sewell – Live at the X – The Exchange Hotel, 125 Denison Street, Hamilton | 9 May
The ARIA Award‑winning artist Conrad Sewell brings his iconic vocals to the Live at the X stage. Celebrate a decade of the multi‑platinum hit “Firestone” on Friday 9 May. More info.

Lee Kernaghan – Boys From the Bush – The Concert – Civic Theatre, 375 Hunter Street, Newcastle | 9 May | 8 pm
Arena‑rock bravado meets country music’s heart and soul. Featuring special guests Robby Kernaghan, Tori Darke and Matt Cornell. More info.

A Special Mother’s Day High Tea – Hunter Women’s Centre, 60 Industrial Drive, Mayfield | 9 May
Celebrate the wonderful mothers and carers in our community with a beautiful selection of treats and great company. Cost: $25. More info.

Record Fair Tighes Hill – The Oaks, 207 Maitland Road, Tighes Hill | 10 May
The Oaks will be slinging tunes and filling your bags with the freshest records. A jam‑packed day of DJs, vendors and friends! More info.

International Rugby: AUS V New Zealand – McDonald Jones Stadium, 294 Turton Road, Broadmeadow | 10 May
Watch the Wallaroos take on the Black Ferns, the current world champions from New Zealand. More info.

Songs from the Canyon – Civic Theatre, 375 Hunter Street, Newcastle | 10 May
An evening of Laurel Canyon classics: Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Beach Boys, Carole King, The Doors, The Byrds, The Mamas and The Papas and more. More info.

The Beautiful Girls – King Street Warehouse, 15 Steel Street, Newcastle West | 10 May
The “We’re Already Gone” 20th Anniversary Tour—hear the new album in full plus all their biggest hits. More info.

Drag Paint & Sip – Great Northern Hotel, 83 Scott Street, Newcastle | 10 & 11 May
Unleash your inner artist and diva. Food and drink specials include $8 mimosas, $12 Aperol Spritz and $32 charcuterie boards. More info.

Wendy Matthews Live in Concert – Belmont 16s Sailing Club – Spinnaker Room, The Parade, Belmont | 10 May
One of Australia’s most beloved voices performs her greatest hits. Treat Mum this Mother’s Day! Cost: $45 plus booking fees. More info.

Masterclass with Trevor Weekes – Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, 2A First Street, Booragul | 10 May | 10 am – 2:30 pm
Learn still‑life techniques in the gallery with Trevor Weekes’ Opus—An Artist’s Odyssey. Materials supplied. Cost: $58.50 – $65. More info.

Singles All Levels HIIT Workout at CONCRETE Gym – CONCRETE Gym, 444 Hunter Street, Newcastle | 11 May
A fun HIIT session for singles of all abilities—work out, meet new people and grab coffee after. Cost: $30. More info.

May Sunday Session – Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, 2A First Street, Booragul | 11 May | 12 pm – 3 pm
En plein air class with Mark Dober using brush and ink—no experience needed. Cost: $31.50 – $35. More info.

Markets

Homegrown Markets “Mummas Day Market” – The Station, Newcastle | 10 May 10 am – 2 pm

Homegrown Markets will be bringing a lineup of fab handmade and design stalls, yummy street food, live tunes, entertainment and belly dance performances throughout the day too! Time: 10am – 2pm

Made & Found’s is Redhead’s handmade & preloved Market! Special Mother’s Day event – Webb Park, Redhead | 11 May

Shop rows of local‑made goods, thrift some EPIC preloved wardrobes, rummage for some vintage treasures, enjoy a street‑food brunch/lunch, relax to live tunes, soak up the community magic ✨ It’s the peeeeerfect way to spend a Sunday 🙌

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

Newcastle Building History: Customs House

Rising at the corner of Watt and Bond Streets, Customs House is one of Newcastle’s most historically significant buildings. Completed in 1877 and designed by celebrated colonial architect James Barnet, it served as the heart of customs operations in a time when Newcastle was one of Australia’s busiest ports.

This Italianate Renaissance Revival building was where duties were collected on goods arriving by sea - a critical role in the city’s economic growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its signature 32-metre clock tower and copper time ball were used to help ships synchronise time while anchored in the harbour.

Over the years, Customs House survived fire, decades of wear, and serious damage during the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, before being carefully restored and reopened as the Customs House Hotel in 1995.

Now heritage-listed, the building remains an architectural and cultural landmark — a striking symbol of Newcastle’s maritime roots, standing proudly on the foreshore for nearly 150 years.

Mothers Day events

Sunday is Mother’s Day. Happy early Mother's Day to all the mums and mother figures out there. Thank you for all you do! I have curated this list from HunterHunters' Mother’s Day Event Guide.

Mother’s Day in SALT Kitchen – SALT Kitchen – Belmont 16s Sailing Club, The Parade, Belmont | 11 May Spoil mum with two course lunch overlooking Lake Macquarie in Salt Kitchen. Choose from an option of three delicious main courses and three yummy desserts from just $59 per Adults (Members Price). Cost: $55pp Adults and $22pp for Kids under 12.

Mothers Day Dine & Win – Wests Clubs – New Lambton, Cardiff, City, Nelson Bay & Mayfield | 11 May Treat Mum to a special meal at any Wests bistro and go in the draw to win a luxurious overnight escape at The Anchorage, Hotel & Spa in stunning Port Stephens! Cost of a meal of your choice from any Wests Bistros. More info here.

Mother’s Day in Martha Drink & Dine – Martha Drink & Dine at Belmont 16s Sailing Club, The Parade, Belmont | 11 May Treat Mum to a memorable lunch or dinner with Martha’s exquisite three-course menu, thoughtfully crafted to celebrate her in the best way possible. Cost: $95pp

Mother’s Day Lunch with Osteria Papazzo – Good Brother, 40 King St, Newcastle | 11 May Alessandra from Osteria Papazzo is creating a wonderful dream Lunch full of flavours for Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day High Tea – Novotel Newcastle Beach, 5 King St, Newcastle | 11 May Gather your friends and family and join us for High Tea, the perfect treat! Enjoy a variety of savoury and sweet options, including scones with jam & cream, sandwiches and tea & coffee. We also include an arrival beverage. Cost: $50pp + booking fee

Mother’s Day Lunch Special – Earp Distilling Co., 41A Darling Street, Carrington | 11 May Make mum’s day with a FREE bottle of bubbles for the table when you dine at Earp Distillery! Plus enjoy our $60 Banquet Menu special (normally $79pp).

Mother’s Day Lunch – Roundhouse Rooftop Restaurant – 282 King St, Newcastle | 11 May Treat Mum to a luxurious four-course lunch at Roundhouse at Crystalbrook Kingsley. Enjoy sparkling wine on arrival, stunning harbour views, and optional upgrades like seafood towers or bottomless bubbles. Cost: $115 per person. $16 for children 12 or under.

Mother’s Day @ MODUS – MODUS Merewether, 20 Merewether St, Merewether | 11 May 12 pm Celebrate the special Mum in your life with a beautiful day at MODUS Merewether. Free glass of Prosecco for mum on arrival and a free photo booth for all of those happy snaps. Open from 12pm.

Mother’s Day Lunch – The Exchange Hotel, 125 Denison Street, Hamilton | 11 May Join The Exchange this Mother’s Day on Sunday 11th May and treat Mum to the celebration she deserves with delicious food and drinks, good vibes and quality time with loved ones. We’ll also keep the little ones entertained with free face painting.

A Tavola! Brunch Club – 22 Greenway Street, Wickham | 11 May 11:30 am Join A Tavola! to celebrate the sweet lady in your life at Lot 19 Wickham. From espressos to tiramisu, the team are serving amore with every bite. Tickets: $125 pp

Cakeboi – 48 Lindsay Street, Hamilton | 11 May from 10 am Join Cakeboi at their venue in Hamilton for a delightful high tea experience. Inspired by classic bakes and Nan’s famous scones, high tea also features delicious savoury treats. Tickets: $68 pp

The Great Northern Hotel – 83–89 Scott Street, Newcastle | 10 & 11 May 1 pm – 4 pm Why settle for an ordinary paint‑and‑sip when you can have a wildly unforgettable experience? Let the Paint Juicy artists guide you step‑by‑step to create a masterpiece that you’ll be proud of – all while celebrating your fabulous mum! Tickets: $55 pp

Homegrown Markets – Webb Park, Redhead | 11 May 10 am – 2 pm Shop local‑made this Mother’s Day – rows of locally‑made goods, epic preloved wardrobes, vintage treasures, street‑food brunch/lunch, live tunes and community magic. Tickets: Free

Miss Porter’s House – 435 King Street, Newcastle East | 11 May More than tea pots and doilies. Miss Porter’s House celebrates three generations of remarkable women with special displays of memorabilia revealing early European settlers, businesspeople, employees and community members. Cost: Adult $12; Concession $10; Family $34; under 5 free

Pegs – 157 Dudley Road, Whitebridge | 11 May 2 pm Enjoy a Mother’s Day high tea at this charming café, with a selection of sweet and savoury treats plus tea and coffee. Pegs also offers a takeaway high‑tea box for 2 ($85) to pick up at 1 pm on Sunday (orders close Thursday 8 May). Tickets: $65 pp

Peregrin – 99 Frederick Street, Merewether | 11 May from 11 am Indulge in a four‑course lunch by the sea, with a complimentary glass of Moët & Chandon Impérial for Mum on arrival. From octopus beignets with miso mayo to chargrilled fillet steak and apple crumble, it’s the perfect way to spoil her. Tickets: $125 pp

QT Newcastle – 185 Hunter Street, Newcastle | 11 May 12:30 pm QT Newcastle’s Mother of All High Tea event with Cakeboi and Kate Kohler is an opulent ode to the leading ladies in our lives, served with signature QT flair. Tickets: $89 pp

Swansea Belmont SLSC – 118 Ungala Road, Blacksmiths | 11 May 11 am – 2 pm Enjoy a Mother’s Day high tea with complimentary bubbles on arrival and live music, overlooking beautiful coastal views. Tickets: TBC

The Tea Collective X Local Customs – 513 Glebe Road, Adamstown | 11 May from 10 am An exquisite high tea, curated and hosted by The Tea Collective and Local Customs. Only three sittings available for an intimate, thoughtfully curated celebration. Tickets: $115 pp + bf

Wilderness Chef PopUp at Talulah – 52 Glebe Road, The Junction | 11 May 6 pm – 9 pm Celebrate Mum with an evening of delicious food, thoughtful details and great company. Enjoy a three‑course dinner and BYO drinks. Tickets: $70 pp

Jets Finish A-League Season in Ninth

The Newcastle Jets concluded their A-League Men's campaign with a 1-1 draw in Melbourne, finishing the regular season in ninth place. The match marked the end of Rob Stanton's tenure as head coach.

Knights Break Losing Run Against South Sydney

The Newcastle Knights ended their five-game losing streak with a win over South Sydney. An early try proved crucial in boosting the team's confidence and scoring ability after a month of offensive struggles