Happy Wednesday, Newcastle.

Plenty on across the city this week, markets, live music, events. As always, we've done the digging so you don't have to.

Let's get into it.

A welcome addition to the New Lambton coffee scene. Maze is a coffee van set up next to Adler Park Sports Club on Bridges Road, serving Coffee Supreme beans, one of my favourite beans.

I've been twice now, and both times it's hit the mark. Alongside the coffee, there's a rotating selection of pastries, sweets and focaccia sandwiches. Nothing overcomplicated, just a reliable, quality coffee in a relaxed setting.

Worth knowing about if you're in the area.

📍 132 Bridges Rd, New Lambton

First Light Café opens in Lambton Park

A building that's been part of Lambton Park since the 1940s has a new life. The former baby health centre, which later operated as tea rooms, has been transformed into First Light café following a $1 million renovation funded by the NSW Government.

The space has been given a proper commercial kitchen, accessible facilities, outdoor seating, a takeaway window and a rear deck. Behind the coffee machine are three familiar names in Newcastle hospitality: Angelo Luczak, Luke Marshall and Corey Park-Pearson.

If you're a regular at Lambton Park, it's worth a visit next time you're through.

Ride the Cyclone – Civic Theatre Playhouse, Newcastle | 29 April – 2 May, various times Six teens, a broken rollercoaster and a cult musical with over half a billion TikTok views. Now in Newcastle. Recommended 13+. Tickets $50. More info.

Tocal Field Days – Tocal Agricultural College | 1 – 3 May, 9am – 4pm daily The Hunter's premier agricultural event — farm machinery, animals, show rings, food and a genuine taste of regional NSW. Great for city and country families alike. Tickets from $25 adults, $10 kids (5–17), under 4 free. More info.

Newcastle Toy Library Sustainable Play Workshop – New Lambton Community Centre, New Lambton | 2 May, 10am – 12pm Hands-on, nature-based activities blended with playtime for families with young kids. Free. More info.

Sydney Youth Orchestras Concert – Latter Hall, Hunter Valley Grammar School | 2 May, 3pm – 4:30pm The renowned Sydney Youth Orchestras bring an afternoon of live orchestral music to the Hunter. Tickets $25. More info.

Level Up at The Levee – The Levee Shared Zone, Maitland | 2 May, 2pm – 8pm Comics, gaming and pop culture take over Maitland's Levee. Cosplay, collectibles and interactive experiences. Free entry. More info.

Singleton Firelight Festival – Singleton Civic Centre Precinct | 2 May, 6pm – 9:30pm Lantern displays, live entertainment, circus workshops, market stalls and a fireworks finale. Free. More info.

Show Up for Odyn – R U Hungry, Minmi | 2 May, 10am – 3pm A community fundraiser for five-year-old Odyn, who is fighting a rare cancer. Live music, raffles, games and food stalls. Come along and show your support. More info.

Women's State of Origin I: NSW Blues vs QLD Maroons – McDonald Jones Stadium | 30 April, 7:45pm The Ampol Women's State of Origin series kicks off in Newcastle. More info.

Newcastle Knights vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – McDonald Jones Stadium | 3 May, 2pm The Knights are back at home. More info.

Date Night @ Foghorn Brewery, Ages 35-49 - Foghorn Brewery - 30 April, 7:00pm Ditch the apps and meet real singles in person at Foghorn Brewery in King Street. Join a big room of singles and get around 8 of your best live-selected, mini-dates! Enjoy 2 drinks, one on arrival and one after dating, in a relaxed, fun and social atmosphere. More info.

Artist Talk: Clare Weeks – Straitjacket, Broadmeadow | 1 May Meet the artist, view her solo exhibition and hear her talk about the meaning behind her work. Free. More info.

Bon Jovi Legacy – Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay | 1 May, from 7pm The Bon Jovi tribute experience hits Shoal Bay for a big Friday night. Tickets $38.90. More info.

Annie Boyle - To all the boys I've loved - Newcastle Comedy Club | Friday 1 May, 6:00pm Comedian Annie Boyle performing live at the Newcastle Comedy Club. More info.

Great Southern Nights Midtown Gig Trail – Midtown Precinct, Newcastle | 1 May, 5pm – 2am Live music takes over Midtown for one night — 11 venues, 24 acts spanning indie bands to DJs. Most gigs free with registration. More info.

Rollerball: Operation Hot One Tour – King Street Warehouse, Newcastle | 1 May, 7:30pm Gold Coast stoner rock legends Rollerball are back on the East Coast for a no-frills celebration of loud amps and big riffs. 18+. Tickets $40. More info.

Clyde St Arts Repair Cafe – 50 Clyde St, Hamilton North | 1 May, 4pm – 7pm Bring your broken stuff — textiles, electronics, bikes, furniture and more. Community experts on hand to help fix, upcycle and reduce waste. Pizza from Piratti Bakery. Free. More info.

Nigel Furniture Design Exhibition – LEDA Gallery, Newcastle West | 2 May An immersive exhibition showcasing emerging Newcastle talent across furniture, lighting and ceramics — all designed to be touched and used. Free.

AHA Newcastle + Pitcher Partners Race Day - Newcastle Racecourse | 2 May
Buckle up for the AHA Newcastle + Pitcher Partners Race Day, a high-energy celebration where thrilling racing meets exceptional company. More info.

MeditationHQ community sunrise meditations - Dixon Park Beach | Saturday 2 May, 6:30am Peaceful sunrise meditation in nature. Weekly free community meditations are open to everyone, whether you’re an experienced meditator or just beginning your journey. More info.

High Tea on the Harbour – Newcastle Harbour | 2 May A three-hour scenic harbour cruise aboard a superyacht with high tea, a glass of bubbles on arrival and tastings from Peter Drayton Wines and Wildstreak Distillery. More info.

Turkish Lamp Mosaic Workshop – Quest Newcastle West, Newcastle | 2 May A hands-on mosaic class where you assemble geometric patterns and lay tesserae to create your own Turkish lamp. Includes apple tea and Turkish delights. More info.

Urban Wine Walk - Newcastle, Multiple Venues | Saturday 2 May, 12pm - 4pm
Get ready, Newcastle – the Urban Wine Walk is back 🍷✨ Grab your crew for the ultimate afternoon of wine and good times! Join 300+ vino lovers as we wander the coolest venues, taste local wines and meet the winemakers on this self-guided adventure! More info.

Coffee and Claytime Workshop – Grounded By Designs, Carrington | 2, 7, 9, 23, 30 May, 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.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter High Tea By The Sea – Merewether Surf House, Merewether | 3 May, 2pm – 5pm Champagne on arrival, savoury and sweet treats, lucky door prizes and a guest speaker sharing her helicopter rescue story. Tickets $90 per person or $850 per table of 10. More info.

The Thread Community Mini Festival – The Thread Community Studio, Redhead | 3 May, 9am – 9pm A full day of music, movement and wellness with live DJs, sound healing, breathwork, yoga, numerology and a wellness market. Fundraiser event. More info.

Olive Tree Market – Civic Park, Newcastle | 2 May, 9am – 2pm Newcastle's premier art and design market, running on the first Saturday of every month since 2008. Handmade goods, local designers and a family-friendly atmosphere. Free entry. More info.

Mothers Day Market – 42 Station St, Waratah | 2 May, 9am – 12pm Local market stalls, handmade gifts, raffles and a family-friendly morning out ahead of Mother's Day. Free entry. More info.

Pelican Foreshore Markets - Pelican Foreshore | 2 May, 9am - 1:00pm
Markets by the water in Pelican. More info.

Homegrown Markets Mother's Day Edition – Speers Point Park | 3 May The Hunter's biggest handmade and design market, lakeside at Speers Point. Local makers, street food, coffee and kids entertainment. Free entry. More info.

Newcastle City Farmers Markets – Broadmeadow Showground, Griffiths Rd, Broadmeadow | 2 May
Shop direct from local farmers and makers in a classic community farmers market.

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

Newcastle capped off a remarkable regular season with a 4-0 demolition of Central Coast in front of almost 21,000 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Anzac Day. Goals to Will Dobson, Clayton Taylor, Eli Adams and Kota Mizunuma sealed a fitting end to the home campaign, with the Jets finishing top of the table on 48 points from 15 wins.

It's the first time Newcastle has made the finals since 2018. Milligan was measured but clearly proud, crediting the group's work ethic and bravery from day one of the season.

A week off before the finals series begins. The hunt for an unprecedented domestic treble, having already won the Australia Cup in October, is on.

A tough afternoon at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday, with Penrith running out 44-12 winners in a performance that highlighted the gap between the competition's best and Newcastle right now. Dylan Edwards was the star, bagging a hat-trick inside 20 minutes and barely putting a foot wrong all day.

Dylan Brown was the Knights' bright spot, sprinting 60 metres for a brilliant individual try, but it was never going to be enough against a Panthers side that looked back to their bruising best.

A back to full strength Newcastle hosts South Sydney at McDonald Jones Stadium this Sunday.

If you got last week's trivia question right, you already knew the answer is one. Just one survivor from 61 people aboard.

On 12 July 1866, the SS Cawarra left Newcastle Harbour bound for Brisbane in the middle of a fierce east coast storm. The paddle steamer had sought shelter in Newcastle after battling heavy seas overnight, but attempting to cross the harbour bar proved fatal. A succession of enormous waves swept the vessel within minutes, sending 60 passengers and crew into the raging water within sight of people watching from Nobbys Head.

The sole survivor, seaman Frederick Hedges, clung to wreckage before being pulled from the water. In a remarkable twist of fate, one of the men who rescued him was the sole survivor of the Dunbar, another famous Australian shipwreck that had claimed 121 lives in Sydney Harbour nine years earlier.

The board of inquiry, after six weeks of deliberation, could only conclude the disaster was the result of bad luck. Newcastle shut down entirely for the mass funeral, shops closed, flags at half mast, and thousands lining the streets to farewell the dead.

The wreck today sits beneath three more vessels that have since foundered in the same waters, built into the foundations of the Stockton breakwall. You walk past it without knowing it's there.