Home to a breathtaking coastline, and many other world-class attractions, Newcastle is a harbour city that has much to offer to both domestic and international students.

Booking student accommodation in Newcastle from Student.com will give you the best student living experience in one of Australia’s most dynamic cities.

Enjoy affordable and comfortable student housing within easy reach of universities. Make your home in a shared or private apartment located in safe and friendly communities central to the city’s offerings, making uni living a lot easier.

Get to know Newcastle

Newcastle, or “Newie” as it’s affectionately called, is Australia’s second-oldest city and is located on the east coast of New South Wales (NSW) just two hours north of Sydney.

Like Sydney, Newcastle’s main attractions are its breathtaking coastline, stunning beaches, and renowned harbour.

But the second-largest city in the state is much more than its alluring natural beauty.

Newcastle is also a vibrant, multicultural city with a lively creative community. The hipster-friendly city is a metropolis that is loaded with attractions from stunning beaches, nature and wildlife to street art, boutique bars, cool cafes and designer hotels.

Its cafes, restaurants, bars, unique architecture, and rich history stretch from the city to the suburbs. Each of Newcastle’s precincts offers a variety of entertainment offerings from the vibrant nightlife, museums, and art galleries to theatres and sports.

So when you get tired of soaking up sun at the city’s wide array of sandy beaches, taking a dip in one of the two ocean baths, the iconic Bogey Hole, or viewing the incredible panoramic vistas of the coastline, there is plenty to see and do in Newcastle.

And with a relatively small population of just over half a million plus a more laid-back vibe, it will be much easier to experience Newcastle “like a local” compared to Australia’s more visited cities like Melbourne, Sydney, or Perth.

Experience the city’s cultural offerings

If you are curious at heart, you can study the history of the city at the Newcastle Museum.

Follow in the footsteps of artists on the city’s thriving street-art scene.

Discover Newcastle’s street art by exploring the Artist’s City Way trail, which explores the city through their eyes. Connect the dots on the ‘Pin the City’ map to find out which artist created the works that cover the walls from Cooks Hill to Newcastle East.

View top contemporary art exhibitions at the Newcastle Art Gallery and the Cooks Hill Gallery, or visit the award-winning independent multidisciplinary arts space ‘The Lock-Up,’ a creative hub that used to be the Newcastle Police Station.

If you’re a fan of the performing arts, take in everything from dance and music to theatre and comedy at the Civic Theatre.

On top of all of that, Newcastle is perfectly sized to explore: big enough to get lost in but small enough to enjoy on foot.

Explore the city

The city centre is laid out in an easily navigable grid, making it easier to stroll around. Take advantage of this logistical perk by going on a Newcastle Heritage Walk.

The walk is an opportunity to explore Australia’s second-oldest city through the conflicts that have shaped its landscape and character. 

At a leisurely pace discover buildings of national significance, some of which showcase a rich diversity of styles that reflect its prosperity and growth throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Student living in Newcastle

The beating heart of the popular Hunter region, Newcastle blends the best of laid-back coastal life with bustling metropolitan city life – the making for fantastic student living.

That mix will keep you busy during study breaks.

The beaches

When the sun is up, explore Newcastle’s breathtaking coastline ideal for surfing, sandcastle making, sunrise photography, and sunset picnics.

There are several beaches within easy walking distance of the city. In addition, the suburban Bar Beach, the long and iconic Merewether Beach, which is home to the international surfing competition Surfest, and Burwood Beach are just a short car ride away.

Beach hop your way even further to neighbouring Dudley Beach, a 10-minute drive just south of Newcastle, or towards the northern end of a nine-mile stretch of coastline to the iconic dog-friendly Redhead Beach, which is known for its stunning cliffs, and rocky terrain.

The stunning shorelines of Anna Bay, Fingal Bay, and Nelson Bay await you when you take a day trip to neighbouring Port Stephens, a short 50-minute drive north from Newcastle along the hunter coastline.

There’s a wealth of bucket-list-worthy experiences waiting for thrill-seekers at the adventurers’ playground from sandboarding down the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes to quad biking adventures.

Ocean baths

Famed for its ocean baths, a trip to Newcastle does not feel complete without having a dip in at least one of them.

The city’s largest, Merewether Ocean Bath, caters to all swimming lovers with its sandy family-friendly shallow pool, and main 100m wide swimming pool. Take a splash and cool off at one of Newcastle’s most iconic landmarks.

Hand-cut into the rock face by convicts in the early 19th century, the Bogey Hole is a breathtaking sight.

So incredible is Newcastle’s coastline that you can be amazed by it without even actively indulging in its attractions.

The Walks

Discover Newcastle’s beauty on foot by exploring some of its many walking tracks.

The Bathers Way Walk is one of the longest and most rewarding coastal walks in the area. It forms part of the Great North Walk from Merewether to Sydney and links Merewether Ocean Baths to Nobbys Beach.

The 6km-long walk covers all of Newcastle’s beaches and some of its most iconic sites, including the Bogey Hole.

Experience the incredible panoramic vistas of the coastline by following the ANZAC Memorial Walk. Or take a stroll to Nobbys Head and Breakwall, enjoy the sea breeze and take in stunning views of the harbour and the Stockton suburb on the 3km walk.

With over 10km of walking trails and two adventure playgrounds and picnic areas, Blackbutt Reserve is another great place to enjoy a day out.

Renowned for its mountain biking trails and bushwalking trails, Glenrock State Conservation Area is just 10 minutes from the CBD, and leads to Glenrock Lagoon, Burwood Beach, and beyond.

Entertainment

If you’re not a nature buff, Newcastle also has something for those with more spring in their steps.

The city has exciting entertainment all year round, with nightlife, events, and restaurants to keep you occupied when the sun goes down.

Take in live music in any of Newcastle’s many music venues and pubs, watch theatrical performances at the heritage-listed Civic Theatre (‘The Civic’), or enjoy a meal on the foreshore at the new Honeysuckle precinct.

If you’re a beer-lover, toast the city’s best brewpubs. Take your pick of craft brewers, including Modus Operandi Brewery and Cattleyard Brewing Co. on a self-guided beer crawl around the city, or enjoy paddles, tastings, and snacks on one of Ted’s Brewgustation Tours.

Where to study in Newcastle?

University of Newcastle (UON)

For over 50 years, the University of Newcastle has shaped its academic offerings around global learning and entrepreneurial approaches to fulfil its objective of helping to develop the problem-solvers and innovators of the future.

Ranked inside the top 200 (192nd) of the 2023 QS World University Rankings, the University of Newcastle provides a world-class academic experience with a diverse, professional, vibrant, and dynamic learning environment to its almost 40,000 students.

The university is proud of its impactful world-leading research that is designed to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.

The quality and significance of the university’s research are reflected in it receiving the highest possible ‘5’ rating across 22 research fields in the Australian Government’s Excellence in Research Australia assessment. The university placed 8th among Australian universities for research quality, earning the rating of ‘well above world standard.’

Over the years, Newcastle’s research department has established strong partnerships across industries and governments to help drive innovation across areas of international and national significance.

TAFE NSW

Technical and Further Education (TAFE), based in New South Wales (NSW), is the largest vocational education and training provider in Australia.

Spread across more than 30 campus locations across New South Wales, TAFE NSW enrols more than 400,000 students, of which over 3,000 are from overseas.

Known for its high-quality education, TAFE NSW offers its students over 120 courses from certificates, diplomas, and degree programs. The institution also provides intensive English language courses and pathways to leading Australian universities.

TAFE NSW’s hands-on curriculum from its industry-aligned programs, and small class sizes, help students receive closer attention from highly qualified instructors.

Frequently asked questions about student housing in Newcastle

How do I apply for off-campus accommodation in Newcastle on Student.com?

At Student.com we make it simple and easy to book off-campus accommodation in Newcastle, New South Wales.

You can compare and locate different student housing in Newcastle to find your ideal home with our search filters and location map feature.

When you find a property you want to book, go to the property page by clicking on the ‘View rooms’ button. On the property page you’ll see the different room options available in that property. Once you’ve chosen your favourite, click on ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book Now’ on the property page.

You will then be asked to leave your contact details and soon you’ll receive a call from one of our booking consultants. They will answer any questions you may have about our offering in Newcastle and explain the next steps of the booking process to you.

What are the different types of student rooms you offer?

We offer three different types of student rooms in Newcastle:

Shared Rooms – Here you’ll have a bedroom shared with a roommate. All other facilities are also shared.

Private Rooms – Here you’ll get a private bedroom just for yourself. Depending on the property, your bathroom may be either private or shared. Other facilities are shared with other students.

Entire Place – This room type is a fully self-contained studio apartment with your own bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette, without having to share anything.

Are bills included in the rent?

Most of the apartments we list in Newcastle have all bills included in the price of the rent. Make sure to check the property page to see if this is the case with the property you’re interested in though.

Do you list fully furnished student apartments?

Yes, most of our student apartments in Newcastle are fully furnished. A couple of the properties are rented unfurnished though, so check the property page to see if the property you’re thinking of renting comes furnished or not.