Good morning Newcastle, welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.

Big week, a Newcastle local scored on the World Cup stage, Rolling Sets is coming to the Foreshore, and the pie quest continues. Plenty on this weekend too. Let's get into it.

Redhead Bakehouse — Chunky Steak Pie
$7.00 | Score: 52/70

Two nominations came in for Redhead Bakehouse, Chunky Steak and Beef & Kidney. I tried both and went with the Chunky Steak for the review.

This is the best pastry on the list so far. No flaking, no falling apart, no crumbs down your shirt. It held its structure from the first bite to the last, and if you've been following this series, you know that's not a given. Golden, firm, and doing exactly what pastry is supposed to do. A quiet masterclass.

The filling is generous, and the flavour is solid. It's not as well seasoned as Full Throttle, and the chunkiness, despite the name, left me wanting a little more substance in each bite. Still, there's nothing to complain about here. It delivers what it promises.

Sauce didn't make an appearance. Didn't need to. Though at its core, this is a beef pie, and for some, that's sauce territory, so there would be no judgment.

At $7, you're paying slightly above the bakery average, but the quality justifies it. This isn't a servo pie dressed up in a paper bag.

The X Factor here is the pastry itself. In a series where fillings tend to steal the show, Redhead flips the script. That structure, holding together until the very last bite, is rarer than it sounds and harder to pull off than most bakeries make it look.

Pastry 18/20 | Filling 14/20 | Sauce 7/10 | Value 6/10 | X Factor 7/10
Total: 52/70

Pie Leaderboard

Charred has been open for a couple of months now, and I finally had a chance to try it recently. The concept is simple: bowls, buns or boxes built around char-grilled meats, fresh salads, sides and homemade sauces. You pick your format, your meat, your sides, your sauce. That's it.

I went with a bowl and chose the picanha, Russian salad and house-made barbecue sauce. The quality of the food is genuinely high, everything was well executed, and the picanha was the standout. The one caveat is the price. The bowl comes in at $18 with an extra $3 for the picanha, which is a tad expensive for a lunch spot. Worth it for the quality, but worth knowing before you go.

A solid addition to the town lunch scene.

A few months back, I floated the idea of Newcastle Digest tote bags, and the response was good. I've since found a local printer, and a limited first batch is now in production. Hopefully, the excitement hasn't worn off; they won't be around for long once they're ready. More details on how to get your hands on one soon.

Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons – McDonald Jones Stadium | 19 June, 8pm
The Knights are back at home under lights. More info.

Viral Street Food Festival – Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow | 19–21 June
50+ trending street dishes, live wrestling, a DJ, live band, roving entertainment and rides across three days. Tickets $5 early bird or $7 at the gate, kids under 3 free. More info.

Village in the City: Bright Nights Bazaar – Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre, Jesmond | 19 June, 4pm – 7:30pm
A free Refugee Week community evening with food stalls, drumming, DJs, live percussion, story circles, a mini tasting trail and movement activities. Free. More info.

Luminous – The Levee, Central Maitland | 19–20 June
Maitland's winter solstice festival transforms The Levee with light installations, fire displays, live performances and a fireworks finale over the Hunter River. Free. More info.

Float Your Boat – Various foreshore locations, Lake Macquarie | 19–20 June, 4:30pm – 8:30pm
A flotilla of illuminated boats glides across the lake each evening, with live music, food trucks and roving performers lining the shores. Free. More info.

& Juliet – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | 19–28 June, various times
Juliet rewrites her story in this Broadway and West End smash hit packed with pop anthems. Recommended for ages 8+. Tickets from $69. More info.

Hamilton Bus Depot Open Day – Hamilton Bus Depot, Hamilton | 20 June, 10am – 1pm
Free coffee, face painting, depot tours and rides on electric and vintage buses. Free. More info.

Central Cinema: The Super Mario Bros. Movie – Central Church, Warners Bay | 21 June, 10am – 1pm
Kids come dressed as their favourite character for a dress-up party, prize giveaways, sausage sizzle and a film screening. Free popcorn, drink and ice cream for registered kids. Free. More info.

Sukimama 1st Birthday Laneway Celebration – Sukimama Laneway, Islington | 20 June, 11am – 2pm
Birthday celebrations with Korean rice cakes and mochi giveaways, vinyl from Dan Phelan, a live Honey recording and a nearby art exhibition at Owens Collective. Free.

Save Link Road Forest Winter Solstice Concert – New Lambton Community Centre | 21 June, 2pm – 4:30pm
Live music, community and conservation raising funds to protect Link Road Forest and its koala habitat. Tickets $30 adults, $25 concession, kids free. More info.

Under the Figs Community Planting – Islington Park, Islington | 20 June, 9am – 11am
Join the Islington Park Landcare Group to plant trees and celebrate World Environment Day under the iconic 140-year-old fig trees. All ages, no experience needed. Free. More info.

Artist in Residence: Tan Arlidge – Kate & Kole Studio, Newcastle | 18 June, 6pm – 7:30pm
An exhibition-style presentation of Tan Arlidge's work followed by a conversation on art, making and creative practice. Free. More info.

Vinnies CEO Sleepout – Newcastle | 18 June
Business leaders sleep out for one night to raise funds for St Vincent de Paul Society, supporting locals facing homelessness across Newcastle and the Hunter.

Coffee and Claytime Workshop – Grounded By Designs, Carrington | 18, 27 June, 10am – 12:30pm
Slow down with a coffee and make your own hand-built pottery in a calm, supported workshop. All materials provided. Tickets $120. More info.

Local Artist Group Exhibition Opening Night – Picture Point, Warners Bay | 19 June, 6pm – 8pm
Opening night for Art@theBay's first group exhibition in Warners Bay. Meet local artists and discover original works. Exhibition runs 19–27 June. Free. More info.

Artist Talk: Graham Wilson – Straitjacket, Broadmeadow | 19 June, 5pm – 7pm
Meet artist Graham Wilson in his solo exhibition, Tenebrism, and hear him speak about his process and inspirations. Free. More info.

The Ball at Bartholomew's – Bartholomew's, Newcastle | 19 June, from 6:30pm
A night of mystery, glamour and immersive entertainment with theatrical performances, dancers emerging from the crowd and live entertainment in the heritage venue. Limited tickets. Tickets $290. More info.

Wilderness Chef Four Course Wedding Menu Experience – Talulah, The Junction | 19 June
An indulgent four-course evening sampling The Wilderness Chef's wedding and event catering menu, with canapés, shared mains and a dessert grazing finish. Tickets $110. More info.

All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane – Tower Cinema, Newcastle | 20 June
A Q&A screening of the hit Australian rom-com featuring Newcastle actor Megan Alston. Tickets $25. More info.

Soundabout Live – The Exchange, Hamilton | 20 June, from 9pm
Soundabout live from 9pm with $12 cocktails from 2–6pm and DJs across two levels from 6pm. Free entry. More info.

Poppin' Tags Winter Edition – Greenroof Hotel, Hamilton | 21 June
Pre-loved clothes and goods, cocktails, live music and a Sunday session in the carpark and beer garden. Free. More info.

Winter Solstice Long Lunch – Bistro Penny, Hamilton | 21 June, from 1pm
A hedonistic long lunch on the shortest day of the year with a set menu of winter classics and optional alpine wine pairings. Tickets $130 per person, wine pairing $120. More info.

Doric String Quartet & Lloyd Van't Hoff – Newcastle City Hall | 23 June, 7:30pm
The leading UK ensemble and Australian clarinettist Lloyd Van't Hoff perform Beethoven, Britten and Thomas Adès' Alchymia. Tickets $65. More info.

Toy Story 5 Adults Only Screening – Reading Cinemas Charlestown | 19 June
A big kids screening of Toy Story 5 with a drink on arrival. More info.

World Cup Watch Party: Australia vs USA – Warners Bay Sports Club, Warners Bay | 20 June, from 4:30am
Club opens early for the FIFA World Cup match with $5 bacon and egg rolls, $5 coffees and $5 schooners while the game plays. More info.

Grainfed Shed 3rd Birthday – Grainfed Shed, Lambton | 20 June, from 6pm
The local brewery celebrates three years with the release of 4th Date, live music from In the Pines and lucky door prizes. More info.

Kingsley Winter Lodge – Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle | from 20 June
A cosy dining dome experience with a share-style winter menu and a seasonal cocktail on arrival. $120 per person, minimum four guests. More info.

Euro Motorfest 2026 – Newcastle Foreshore Park | 21 June, from 8:30am
A major European car display raising funds for Variety The Children's Charity and Clown Doctors Australia. Food, drinks, raffle and public-voted trophies. Entry $10 for display vehicles, free to spectate. More info.

Link Road Forest Winter Solstice Concert – New Lambton Community Centre | 21 June, 2pm – 4:30pm
Six live acts raising funds to save Link Road Forest — a native forest home to resident koalas and 17 threatened species. Tickets $30 adults, $25 concession, kids free.

Unzipped - Richardson Park, North Hamilton | 24th June, 7pm
Unzipped is a circus-style male revue under the big top — acrobatics, comedy, and high-energy entertainment all in one wild night out. More info.

Wallsend Toastmasters Speechcraft Course – Zoom & Wallsend Diggers | 12 July – 27 August
An eight-session public speaking course for anyone 18+ wanting to build confidence and communication skills. Runs Sundays via Zoom (12 July – 9 August) then Thursdays in person at Wallsend Diggers (13–27 August). Includes six months Toastmasters membership. Tickets $180, limited to 10 seats. Registrations close 1 July. More info.

Warners Bay Markets, The Esplanade, Warners Bay | 20 June, 9am to 1pm.

Lake Mac Farmers Markets,  Glendale Shopping Centre | 20 June, 8am to 2pm.

Homegrown Markets x Made & Found – Lambton Park | 21 June, 10am – 2pm
Handmade stalls, preloved racks, street food, live music, permanent jewellery bar, plant stores and face painting at Lambton Park. More info.

Newcastle City Farmers Markets – Broadmeadow Showground | 21 June Shop direct from local farmers and makers with unbeatable freshness and a genuine community atmosphere.

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

Australia beat Türkiye 2-0 in their World Cup opener in Vancouver on Sunday, and Newcastle had its own reason to celebrate. Connor Metcalfe, born and raised in Newcastle and a former South Cardiff FC junior, scored Australia's second goal in the 75th minute, picking up the ball in midfield, advancing on goal and firing home from 23 metres.

South Cardiff FC were quick to acknowledge it on social media: "from South Cardiff to the world." Hard not to love that.

Metcalfe now plays for FC St. Pauli in the Bundesliga and has been one of the Socceroos' most consistent performers in the lead-up to the tournament. The Socceroos next face the USA in Seattle on Saturday morning.

A tough Sunday at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium with the Northstars going down to the Sydney Ice Dogs. They'll look to bounce back next weekend with a home game against the Central Coast Rhinos on Saturday, before hitting the road to face the Ice Dogs again on Sunday.

McDonald Jones Stadium will host the grand final of the AUSX Supercross Championship on November 28, with the best Australian and international riders set to battle it out for the title in front of what should be a packed crowd.

The event is backed by Destination NSW and City of Newcastle. Alongside the racing there'll be a Monster Energy Fan Fest and full stadium spectacle. One to put in the calendar.

The team at Newcastle Weekly have put together a solid guide to the best cheap eats around the city, everything from quick lunches to budget dinners worth knowing about. Worth a bookmark.

👉 Check out the full guide here

One of the better music festivals on the NSW calendar is leaving the Central Coast and setting up at Newcastle Foreshore Park on December 5.

Rolling Sets has been running out of The Entrance for four years and has outgrown the space. Newcastle is the next step, bigger capacity, harbour backdrop, and a lineup to match. Ocean Alley, Royel Otis, G Flip and Violent Soho are all confirmed.

For an area that's lost a few festivals in recent years, this is a welcome addition. Keep an eye out for tickets.