Good morning Newcastle,

Hope you've had a great week. This week we've got a new cafe review, a pretty wild bit of Newcastle history, and plenty happening around town this weekend.

Enjoy!

This is a revisit. I have been to Autumn Rooms a few times before but some of their specials caught my eye recently so it felt like the right time to go back.

My opinion hasn't changed; Autumn Rooms is the best quality cafe in Newcastle. The breakfast menu is genuinely unique, and the execution is consistently high. That said, it comes at a price. Items aren't cheap to begin with, and the 15% weekend surcharge on top makes it a considered decision rather than a casual breakfast out.

On the most recent visit, we ordered two things. The sausage and egg roll: sausage patty, folded eggs, American cheese, AR crack sauce in a toasted milk bun at $26. Solid, well put together, hits the spot. The real highlight though was the Honeycomb Custard Bread. Brioche, sourdough and croissant soaked in honeycomb-infused custard, slowly baked, sliced, fried and finished with salted honey mascarpone, honeycomb cream and crushed almond praline. It was delicious, the kind of dish you think about after you leave.

Worth going? Yes. Worth knowing what you're getting into price-wise before you do? Also yes.

Double Duck Smokehouse — Brisket, Jalapeño & Cheese Pie
$8.50 | Score: 54/70

Double Duck Smokehouse sits at 65 Stewart Ave, Hamilton South, and if you haven't been, that's worth fixing.

The brisket, jalapeño and cheese pie is exactly what it sounds like. Slow-cooked brisket as the headline act, jalapeños and cheese playing strong supporting roles. The combination works. The natural juices from the brisket carry the flavour through every bite, and the jalapeños add just enough heat without taking over. Sensational is not too strong a word for the filling.

The pastry is solid, good colour, good structure, and holds together well. The base was a touch thick and ever so slightly underbaked, which is the only thing holding it back from a higher score. Minor in the grand scheme of things, but noticeable.

At $8.50, this is excellent value for what lands on the table. Generous in size, generous in filling, and the quality of the brisket justifies every cent.

No sauce needed. The brisket does that job on its own.

The X Factor is the smoked brisket itself, slow-cooked, falling apart, and carrying the whole pie without breaking a sweat. It's the kind of filling that makes you reconsider what goes in a pie.

Pastry 14/20 | Filling 17/20 | Sauce 8/10 | Value 8/10 | X Factor 7/10
Total: 54/70

Digitales: Storytime and Art – Multi-Arts Pavilion mima, Speers Point | 20 August, 11am – 11:45am
Digital stories on the big screen followed by hands-on artmaking and shadow play for kids aged 2–5. Free, bookings required. More info.

Clue: On Stage – Civic Playhouse, Newcastle | 20–23 August
A fast-paced comedy mystery set in Boddy Manor where every guest is a suspect, based on the iconic board game and cult-classic film. Recommended 10+. Tickets from $49. More info.

Hunter Valley Highland Games – Saltire Estate, Lovedale | 22 August, 9am – 4pm
Pipe bands, Highland dancing, caber tossing, Jacobite reenactments, a kids activity area and market stalls in the Hunter Valley vineyards. Ticketed. More info.

Daffodil Day – Kotara Westfield & Stockland Greenhills | 20 August
40 years of Daffodil Day — donate to cancer research online or visit the stalls at Kotara or Green Hills. More info.

Newkulele Festival – Carrington | 21–23 August
Newcastle's ukulele festival evolves with more instruments, more community and more music across venues in Carrington. Weekend pass $25, workshops $20, concert $40. More info.

Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles – McDonald Jones Stadium | 22 August
Triple header — NSW Cup at 10:30am, NRLW vs Wests Tigers at 12:45pm, NRL at 3pm. More info.

Hunter Science Festival – Newcastle Museum, Honeysuckle | 23 August, 10am – 3pm
Robot races, solar car building, the HMRI Poo Palace inflatable, science shows and 30+ hands-on stalls for kids and adults. Free. More info.

Victor Osaka x Âpé Experience – Âpé, The Boardwalk, Newcastle | 19–20 August, from 5pm
An intimate Osaka-inspired bar experience with two cocktails and four Âpé bites across 30-minute sittings. Tickets $75. More info.

Rick Stein: Australian Stories – Bannisters Port Stephens, Soldiers Point | 19–21 August
Rick Stein celebrates the flavours and landscapes of Australia in a coastal dining experience at Bannisters. More info.

Something Much More: A Script Reading – University House, Newcastle | 21 August
A reading of a new play reviving the memory of Dexter Daniel's contributions to Aboriginal activism, supported by Newcastle Trades Hall Council. Free. More info.

The Marie Curie Lecture '26: Painting the Universe – Newcastle Museum | 21 August
Astrophysicist Dr Karelle Siellez weaves together sound, art and astrophysics to explore gravitational waves and the elements we're made of. Ages 10+. Adults $10, free for under 18s. More info.

Great Gable – The Beach Hotel, Merewether | 21 August
Great Gable bring their signature indie and alternative rock to Merewether for a huge night of live music. Tickets $25. More info.

Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows – Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay | 21 August
A night of legendary Australian music from one of the country's most enduring acts. Tickets $48.12. More info.

Euro Summer Party – The Exchange, Hamilton | 21 August, from 8pm
No passport needed — DJs from 8pm, $6 vodkas, $12 cocktails, prizes for best Euro fit and free Greek napkins for the first 200 through the door. Free entry. More info.

Meet the Artists and Artist Talks – Straitjacket, Broadmeadow | 22 August, 11am – 2pm
Meet artists Hide Kobayashi and Patrick Mavety in their solo exhibitions, with talks at 12pm and 1pm respectively. Free. More info.

Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Feast – Flotilla, Wickham | 22 August
A four-course seasonal lunch paired with Four Pillars Gin cocktails including a Bloody Shiraz Spritz on arrival. Tickets $165. More info.

Elvis Tribute Night – Shortland Waters Golf Club, Shortland | 22 August, 6pm – 9pm
Classic Elvis hits, dinner from 5pm and drinks. Tickets $10 at the bar. More info.

Mad Hatter High Tea Party – Kahibah Sports Club, Kahibah | 22 August, 12pm – 3pm
A charity high tea banquet with sweet and savoury treats, tea, coffee and a champagne on arrival, raising funds for the Hunter Melanoma Foundation. Mad hats and outfits strongly encouraged. Tickets $80. More info.

Maxim Business Advisors Race Day – Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow | 22 August, 11:30am – 5pm
A race day supporting HMRI with racing, live entertainment and plenty of trackside atmosphere. Ticketed. More info.

UNMS MedBall 2026: Paris After Dark – NEX, Newcastle | 22 August, from 6:30pm
A two-course dinner, open bar, live entertainment and dancing for a Parisian-themed formal evening. More info.

Marty Sheargold: The Red Card Tour – Warners Bay Theatre, Warners Bay | 22 August, 8pm – 9:30pm
One of Australia's most iconic comedians returns with a brand-new stand-up show — razor-sharp wit, masterful storytelling and unfiltered takes on life. MA15+. More info.

The Best Tina Turner Show – The Events Quarter, Wallsend | 22 August, doors 6:30pm, show 7:30pm
Powerhouse vocalist Jo Benham and a six-piece band deliver two sets of Tina Turner's greatest hits plus a final dance set. 18+. Tickets $40. More info.

Castle Assault Fantasy Weekend – Gallipoli Legion Club, Newcastle | 22–23 August
A two-day tabletop fantasy wargaming weekend with tournaments across Warhammer: The Old World, Warmaster Revolution and The 9th Age. Tickets $50. More info.

Newcastle & Hunter Social Puzzling – Toronto Multi Purpose Centre, Toronto | 22 August, 10am – 2pm
A few hours of socialising and puzzling — solo, pairs or teams. Includes puzzles, light refreshments and a lucky door prize. Tickets $10. More info.

Taste & Torque Festival – Morisset Showground | 23 August, from 10am
Food trucks, a static car show, local market stalls, live music and kids activities. Gold coin donation on entry supporting Beyond Blue. More info.

Australian Bodyboard Titles – Newcastle coastline | 21–22 August
The country's best bodyboarders compete on the Newcastle coastline in this national titles event. More info.

Newcastle Comedy Club Showcase – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | 21–22 August
Friday and Saturday night stand-up showcases featuring local talent and special guests from Sydney and Melbourne. Tickets from $32.35. More info.

Elemental – Back to Back Galleries, Cooks Hill | 21–23 August
Pit-fired ceramics and photography exploring earth, flame and the ephemeral from seven artists. More info.

Hands-On Pottery Workshop – The Clayroom, Islington | 22 August
A beginner-friendly wheel throwing workshop with all clay, tools, glazing and firing included, plus afternoon tea and a glass of bubbles. More info.

Slow Sketch Sunday – Meantime on Beaumont, Hamilton | 23 August
A long pose life drawing session with extended poses, drinks on hand and a relaxed pace open to all levels. More info.

Collector Con Newcastle – Newcastle Entertainment Centre | 23 August, 9:30am – 3pm
180+ tables of toys, hobby items and pop culture collectables. Tickets from $5. More info.

The Big Bike Film Festival – Tower Cinemas, Newcastle | 23 August
Two and a half hours of the world's best cycling short films — action, drama, humour and inspiration across locations from Norway to the French Alps. More info.

Hunter Arts Network Art Bazaar – St Therese's Primary School, New Lambton | 23 August, 10am – 2pm
A high-quality artisan market running since 2002, featuring handmade, original work from Hunter region makers, with live entertainment, food trucks and coffee. More info.

Newcastle City Farmers Markets – Broadmeadow Showground | 23 August
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?

Last week's trivia answer was Hunter Street, and there's a pretty remarkable story sitting underneath one of its busiest stretches.

In 2009, archaeologists excavated the site of the former Palais Royale at 684 Hunter Street in Newcastle West, following the demolition of the historic building. What they uncovered was far older than the Palais.

The excavation recovered 5,534 Aboriginal objects, including stone tools, along with midden and hearth material. The site revealed three distinct periods of Aboriginal occupation, with the oldest dating to between 6,716 and 6,502 years ago. Later occupation layers dated to around 3,500 years ago and between 2,480 and 1,933 years ago.

The evidence points to the site being an important place for Awabakal people, with access to food and other natural resources in an area that looked very different to the Newcastle we know today. Archaeologists found evidence of changing stone technologies over thousands of years, including the use of chert, chalcedony, silcrete and locally sourced Nobbys tuff. One Aboriginal hearth was also dated to around 2,000 years ago.

The excavation covered just a 16-metre by 3-metre trench, meaning the archaeologists were looking at only a tiny portion of the site. The assessment concluded that the Aboriginal cultural material likely extended several hundred metres in either direction.

The significance was enormous. The excavation report rated the site as having "high to exceptional cultural and scientific significance", while consultation with the Aboriginal community identified exceptional cultural heritage values. The site is now listed by the NSW Government as the Palais Royale (Government Farm archaeological site).

The Palais Royale site was purchased by Yum! Restaurants Australia, which planned to build a fast-food restaurant there. After the archaeological work, a KFC was eventually built on the site, and KFC Palais still operates at 684 Hunter Street today.

The artefacts recovered from the excavation were deposited with the University of Newcastle's Special Collections, where they remain. The ground beneath the KFC therefore contains a record of Awabakal occupation stretching back more than 6,700 years.

You could walk past it every day without ever knowing what's underneath.

Newcastle are in the NRL finals for the first time since 2023 after a 36-26 win over Gold Coast on the weekend. The turnaround under Justin Holbrook from last year's wooden spoon to a top four contender is remarkable.

The Knights are guaranteed at least 34 points and with two games remaining before a bye, a home final is very much in play. Beat Manly at home this weekend and the Warriors in Auckland, and results elsewhere could have them finishing in the top four with a double chance in September.

The last time Newcastle hosted a finals game at McDonald Jones Stadium it sold out. Expect the same again if they get one this year.

Newcastle head into the final weekend of the AIHL regular season sitting on top of the ladder after a 6-3 win over Perth Thunder on Sunday, recovering from a loss to Canberra the night before.

The weekend had a couple of big milestones. Francis Drolet became the Northstars’ all-time leading point scorer with 301 points, passing former captain Rob Starke's record that had stood for 11 seasons. Beau Taylor played his 200th league game and Brian Funes his 350th.

Two games to go on the road against Central Coast and Sydney before the 2026 AIHL Finals at Melbourne's O'Brien Icehouse from August 28. Brisbane and Canberra are level on points with Newcastle so top spot is still to be decided.

Kurri Kurri's return to finals football lasted just one week, knocked out by The Entrance in the first round. Central Newcastle set up a mouth-watering semi-final rematch against Maitland after a hard-fought win over South Newcastle. The 2025 grand final is being replayed in week two.