Good morning, welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.

Last week was a big one: the Knights won their season opener in Las Vegas, a crocodile turned up in Wallsend, and Newy Fried Chicken finally opened on Darby Street. Let’s see what this week has for us.

The Exchange has been a Hamilton institution since 1880. It's a proper two-level pub, bars up and downstairs, a dining room upstairs, and one of the best setups in Newcastle for watching live sport on their massive projector screen. My go to, to watch the UFC.

The food is consistently good, which is all you really ask of a pub. They run the classics well; the chicken parm is a solid benchmark, and the Italian menu adds a bit of range, with wood-fired pizzas that are worth coming in for on their own. If you're keeping an eye on the budget, their weekday specials, Monday through Thursday, are a reliable option as well as lunch specials.

Newy Fried Chicken

The new Darby Street flagship opened last weekend, and it's the best version of Newy Fried yet.

The space takes over the old Wil & Sons site. Same great chicken on the menu, plus a proper cocktail bar out back. Upstairs has an 18+ bar with a pool table, TVs, and open late nights on weekends.

I have been a fan of Newy Fried Chicken since its days in the kitchen at the Newy Hotel. It is great to see them continue to grow. It is one of the places in Newcastle that I am constantly revisiting and enjoying even more each time. It honestly is a must-try.

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Music in the Podium – Warners Bay Foreshore | 6 March 6pm – 9pm
A free Friday evening live music series on the foreshore featuring popular local musicians, hosted by Lake Macquarie City Council. Family-friendly and relaxed by the lake. More info.

Friday Chill – Pacific Park, Newcastle East | 6 March 6:30pm – 8:30pm
A free, family-friendly summer series with chilled local music, food trucks, kids activities and picnic vibes. BYO picnic or grab a bite from local vendors. More info.

Twilight Fridays – MAP mima | 6, 13, 20, 27 March
A free Friday night series featuring live music, pop-up food and themed creative events throughout March. More info.

Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers – McDonald Jones Stadium | 7 March 5pm
A-League action as the Jets take on Western Sydney Wanderers at home. More info.

My Kids Market – Newcastle Entertainment Centre | 8 March 9am – 12pm
A preloved market for baby and kids clothing, toys and nursery items. Entry $5, kids free. More info.

Inflatable Day – Lambton Pool | 8 March 11am – 2pm
Three hours of inflatable fun included with standard pool entry. More info.

IncludingYOU Art Program – Museum of Art and Culture, yapang | 5 March
A free, inclusive art workshop inviting people of all abilities to explore creativity and connection in a welcoming environment. More info.

Coffee and Claytime Workshop – Grounded By Designs, Carrington | 5, 12, 14, 19, 28 March 10am – 12:30pm
A relaxed pottery workshop combining hand-built ceramics and coffee, with all materials provided. Tickets $120. More info.

90s Night – Shoal Bay Country Club | 6 March 8:30pm
A free throwback party celebrating the era of boomboxes, butterfly clips and 90s anthems. More info.

International Women’s Day Long Lunch – Peregrin Merewether | 6 March 12pm
A three-course long lunch with free-flowing drinks and guest speakers, raising funds for Got Your Back Sista. Tickets $150pp. More info.

Matt Arthur & The Lazy Bones: Unplugged – Earp Distilling Co. | 7 March
A live tribute to Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album, performed in an intimate setting. Tickets $45. More info.

Mitch Tambo: Musical Performance & Storytime – Rathmines Theatre | 7 March 10am
A live music and storytelling session celebrating culture and self-belief with proud Gamilaraay artist Mitch Tambo. Tickets from $12. More info.

Hot & Honest LIVE with Dr Shauna Watts – Pier 97, Wickham | 8 March
An intimate afternoon of open conversations on menopause, mental health and identity, with bubbles and nibbles included. Tickets $97. More info.

Nordic Film Night: International Women’s Day – Tower Cinemas | 8 March
A special screening of The Day Iceland Stood Still, exploring Iceland’s gender equality movement. More info.

The Unveiling – Cricketers Arms Hotel, Cooks Hill | 8 March 4pm
Artist Paul O’Brien unveils his Archibald Prize portrait of author Damien Lay in this free community event.

Lake Macquarie Triathlon Festival – Speers Point Park | 8 March 6am – 11:30am
A multi-event triathlon festival featuring sprint, junior and open water events for all levels. More info.

Arts, Crafts & Needlework: Homemade by the Porters – Miss Porter’s House | 8 March 1pm – 4pm
Explore handcrafted textiles, embroidery and award-winning craft from the Porter family’s historic home.

Throwing Hands Ceramic Market – Hamilton Station Hotel | 8 March 11am
An art-focused market showcasing handmade ceramics, jewellery, prints and local creative stalls. More info.

HBWN International Women’s Day Event – NEX | 11 March
Celebrate IWD with entrepreneur Janine Allis sharing her journey from startup to national success. Tickets from $224. More info.

Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny – Newcastle Entertainment Centre | 11–12 March
Jimmy Carr returns with his fast-paced, sharp-edged stand-up tour. More info.

True Vintage Markets - Adamstown Uniting Church | 7 March
Specialising in a large selection of Mid-Century, Vintage and Antique items. This includes kitchenalia, records, vintage clothing, rare coins, toys, homewares and so much more. More info.

Markets on the Green – Club Kotara | 7 March 3pm – 6pm
Monthly afternoon markets featuring local makers, handmade goods and food stalls. Free entry. More info.

Pelican Foreshore Markets – Pelican | 7 March 9am – 1pm
A lakeside community market featuring local stalls and fresh finds. More info.

Newcastle City Farmers Markets – Broadmeadow Showground, Griffiths Rd, Broadmeadow | 8 March
Shop direct from local farmers and makers in a classic community farmers market.

Homegrown Markets – Harold Gregson Park, Maitland | 8 March 9am – 1pm
Handmade and design stalls, street food, live music and family-friendly market vibes. More info.

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Newcastle def. North Queensland 28-18 in Las Vegas on Sunday, with Kalyn Ponga the standout in Justin Holbrook's coaching debut. Ponga laid on two tries from fullback as the Knights showed far more attacking intent than their 2026 season opener, a promising sign after averaging just 14 points a game last year. Five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe left the field with a knee injury in the 25th minute but is expected to be okay.

Newcastle's bid to equal the A-League record of 10 consecutive wins was stopped by Central Coast in a 0-0 draw at Polytec Stadium on Saturday. The Jets dominated large parts of the match, including a disallowed Eli Adams goal and Lachie Rose hitting the crossbar, but couldn't find a breakthrough against a Mariners side that held firm despite losing two players to injury early. Newcastle stay two points above Auckland on the ladder. They host Western Sydney at McDonald Jones Stadium this Saturday at 5pm.

A juvenile freshwater crocodile was pulled from Ironbark Creek in Wallsend on Sunday night after a 30-hour rescue operation that had the whole neighbourhood talking.

First spotted behind Bunnings on Saturday afternoon, repeated attempts to catch the metre-long reptile failed before Australian Reptile Park manager Billy Collett returned Sunday night in a tinny with head torches and plenty of patience. After nearly giving up, they spotted her eyes reflecting in the dark and Collett did what any reasonable person would do, swan diving off the boat into the creek to grab her by hand.

She's been given a clean bill of health and is now in quarantine on the Central Coast while authorities investigate how she ended up this far south. Most likely an illegal pet that was dumped. The Wallsend Crocodile, not something you forget in a hurry.