Good morning, Newcastle,

There's plenty happening across Newcastle and the Hunter this weekend, with festivals, live music, markets and a few big sporting events on the calendar.

We've also got another local food spot worth knowing about, a new opening in the city and a little Newcastle history you might not have known.

Let's get into it.

Sometimes the best places are the ones you could easily walk straight past, and Natsu Sushi is a good example. It's an unassuming little Japanese restaurant quietly serving up some of the best Japanese food in the area.

It's a fairly small operation, with a handful of tables inside and plenty of takeaway options. It's also BYO, which makes it a great option for a casual dinner without spending a fortune.

The menu covers plenty of Japanese favourites, including ramen, katsu curry, sushi and karaage chicken. Nothing overly complicated, just a good selection of dishes that keep me coming back.

I've visited a few times now, and it's become one of those reliable spots where you know you're going to get a good meal. On my most recent visit, I kept things simple with a prawn sushi roll and some karaage chicken. Both were fresh, tasty and exactly what I was after.

There's nothing particularly flashy about Natsu Sushi, and I think that's part of its appeal. It's the kind of restaurant that's easy to overlook but well worth knowing about, whether you're grabbing takeaway or sitting down for a relaxed meal.

What's your favourite Japanese restaurant around Newcastle? I'm always looking for somewhere new to try.

📍 Hilltop Plaza, 1/226 Pacific Hwy, Charlestown NSW 2290

Frankie's Tavern opens on King Street

Frankie's Tavern opened on Saturday 31 October at 222 King Street, Newcastle. It's the new venue from the group behind Frenchie and Alfie's Italian + Wine Bar, and it's pitched as a modern take on the classic tavern. The menu covers burgers, martinis, fresh seafood, raw dishes, handmade pasta, larger plates and premium cuts off the grill. Group Executive Chef Rafael Tonon and Head Chef Nikhil Bhanot run the kitchen, using local produce and ingredients from Tonon's own garden. Sommelier and GM Ally McLean leads front of house. It's open Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm.

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Twilight Fridays: Rollertopia – MAP mima, Speers Point | Fri 6 Nov, 5–8pm. MAP mima's yearly 80s roller-skate night, with DJ Ruby Red, live music and food. Free entry. More info

The Wiggles Sparkle! BIG SHOW – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow | Sat 7 Nov, 10am, 1:30pm & 4:30pm. The Wiggles' new national arena show. $28–$58; under 12 months free on a lap. More info

Darby Street Festival – Darby Street, Cooks Hill | Sat 7 Nov, 12–6pm. The street closes for live music, food, pop-up bars, performers and family activities. Free. More info

Celebrate Pollinator Week – Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae | Sat 7 Nov, from 10am. A pollinator-themed day at the Botanic Gardens. Free. More info

Sleap Walk 2026 – Bar Beach Bowling & Sporting Club | Sat 7 Nov, from 4pm. A 2.5km pyjama walk from Bar Beach to Merewether and back, pets welcome, raising money for the PICU courtyard at John Hunter. Ticketed fundraiser. More info

High Tea on the Harbour Cruise – MV Calmer, Queens Wharf | Sat 7 Nov, 12–2:30pm. Classic high tea on a harbour cruise. Ticketed. More info

Cultural Immersion: Possum Skin Cloaks – Newcastle Museum | Sat 7 Nov, 2–4pm. Kids learn about possum skin cloaks and make their own armband. Ticketed. More info

Virtual Museum Tour: Prado Highlights – MAP mima, Speers Point | Sat 7 Nov, 2–3pm. A guided tour of the Prado inside the Projection Cube. More info

Lake Mac Open Studios 2026 – Studios across Lake Macquarie | Sat 7 & Sun 8 Nov, 10am–4pm. More than 80 artists in 35 studios open their doors. Free. More info

Garage Sale Trail – Various locations | Sat 7 & Sun 8 Nov (also 14–15 Nov). Garage sales and thrift markets across the region. Free. More info

Camp Quality Convoy Newcastle Family Festival – Maitland Showground | Sun 8 Nov, convoy ~9am, festival from 10:30am. A 38km truck rally for kids with cancer, then a family festival with rides, food and live music. Free. More info

ART PLAY at MAP mima – MAP mima, Speers Point | Sun 8 Nov, 10–11:30am. Guided look at the exhibition, then a hands-on activity. Free, bookings required. More info

Darkness in 589 – MAP mima, Speers Point | Fri–Sun to 29 Nov, 9am–2pm. A 360-degree projection artwork about darkness and light pollution. Free. More info

A.A. Murakami: New Spring – Newcastle Art Gallery | until 31 Jan. Mist-filled bubbles bloom and fall from tree-like sculptures. Free. More info

Newcastle Open 2026 – Newcastle Basketball Stadium, Broadmeadow | Sun 8 Nov, from 9am. Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition; kids under 12 free. More info

CULTURE x CATWALK – Newcastle City Hall Banquet Room | Sat 7 Nov, 6–9pm. Multicultural fashion runway with music and dance, run by Uni of Newcastle student groups. $25 / $15 student / $45 family. More info

Feather & Flesh – Rathmines Theatre | Sun 8 Nov. Contemporary Aboriginal dance and workshop (History Illuminated). More info

Designer Labels – Rathmines Theatre | Sun 8 Nov. Vintage fashion parade (History Illuminated). More info

Wangi Wangi WWII gun emplacements walk – Wangi Wangi | Sat 7 Nov. History Illuminated heritage walk. More info

Catherine Hill Bay historic walking tour – Catherine Hill Bay | Sat 7 Nov. History Illuminated. More info

RLWC2026 Semi Finals: NZ Ferns v Fetu Samoa & New Zealand v Tonga – McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton | Sat 7 Nov, 5:45pm and 8:05pm. A World Cup semi-final double-header, with the women's semi at 5:45pm and the Kiwis taking on Tonga at 8:05pm. Ticketed. More info

Lake Macquarie Outdoor Living & Caravan Expo – Morisset Showground, Morisset | Fri 6 to Sun 8 Nov, 9am–4pm. Over 100 caravan, camping and accessory brands, plus a free kids' camping area on Saturday and Sunday. Ticketed. More info

BUNT. – The Beach Hotel, Merewether | Fri 6 Nov, doors 6pm. German DJ duo BUNT. (Coachella, Lollapalooza) play the Beachy. More info

Windwaker – King Street Band Room, Newcastle West | Fri 6 Nov, 7pm. Melbourne metalcore with The Pretty Wild, RinRin and DREGG. $64.90. More info

Live at The Lock-Up: A Deep Listening Experience – The Lock-Up, Newcastle | Fri 6 Nov. Ambient-electronic from homebody, WAY LIE and Rose White. From $20 + booking fee. More info

Pete Helliar – An International Kerfuffle – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Fri 6 Nov, 6pm (also Sat). Stand-up about the media storm after an offhand TV joke. 16+. $37.21. More info

Radium Girls – Civic Playhouse | Thu 5–Sat 7 Nov. Hunter Drama's historical drama about the dial painters who took on the US Radium Corporation. $49–$59 + fees. More info

Alta Falls – Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington | Fri 6 Nov, 7:30pm. EP tour stop at the Hamo. $53.55. More info

Simone Waddell 'Unforgettable' – Warners Bay Theatre | Fri 6 Nov, 7:30pm. A night of jazz standards and more. From $27.53. More info

Holly Wild & Dani El-Rassi – The Stag & Hunter, Mayfield | Fri 6 Nov, 8pm. Co-headline night at the Mayfield pub. $34.20. More info

Amber Lawrence – The Suburban Cowgirl Concert – Paterson School of Arts | Fri 6 Nov, 7pm. An intimate country hall show. $20–$65. More info

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer / British Rock Legends – Adamstown Uniting Church | Fri 6 Nov, 6:30pm & 8:30pm. String-quartet Candlelight concerts. From $43 / $45.50. More info

Crafted Festival Newcastle – Camp Shortland, Newcastle East | Sat 7 Nov, from 11am. Craft beer, cider, wine, cocktails and food on the foreshore. 18+, cashless. More info

Katchafire + Mike Love – King Street Band Room, Newcastle West | Sat 7 Nov, 7pm. NZ reggae with Hawaiian roots support. More info

Frenzal Rhomb – Sans Souci 23rd Anniversary – Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington | Sat 7 Nov, 7:30pm. Punk anniversary show. 18+. $58.65. More info

Choirboys – Great Australian Rock N Roll Stories – Civic Theatre | Sat 7 Nov, 8pm. Part concert, part storytelling through the pub-rock era. $89–$175. More info

The Halves – 'Opus' EP Tour – King Street Warehouse | Sat 7 Nov, 8pm. With binsad and Charlie Farmer. More info

Telegraph Road – The Dire Straits Legacy – Flamingos Live, Lambton | Sat 7 Nov, 8:30pm. Dire Straits tribute. From $45. More info

Australian Haydn Ensemble – Haydn's Oxford – Rathmines Theatre | Sat 7 Nov. Oxford and Drumroll symphonies on period instruments. $54–$60 + fee. More info

Hoedown Throwdown – The Exchange, Hamilton | Sat 7 Nov, from 6pm. Country DJs, line-dance lesson at 8pm, Katie Jayne Band from 9pm. Free entry. More info

Wine Beats Through Sunset – Harkham, Pokolbin | Sat 7 Nov, 3–7pm. Hunter wine and live music among the vines. Ticketed. More info

A Taste of Italy – Mahony Estate, Fordwich | Sat 7 Nov. Wood-fired pizza, tiramisù, local wine and Italian music. Free entry; tastings/pizza from $20. More info

Bottomless Brunch Grinch – The Lucky Hotel, Newcastle | Saturdays from 7 Nov. Two-hour Grinch-themed bottomless brunch. $89 + fee. More info

Rugby League World Cup Men's Semi Final (NZ v Tonga) – McDonald Jones Stadium | Sat 7 Nov, 8:05pm. Second game of a double-header after the women's semi. Ticketed. More info

I Love Your Faces: The Don Lane Story – Civic Theatre | Sun 8 Nov, 4pm. Father-and-son stage show about Don Lane. $79. More info

All That Jazz – Camerata – Harold Lobb Hall, Conservatorium | Sun 8 Nov. Jazz, pop and classical, from Bach to Satie. $15–$45. More info

Rufus Rice: Rice Age – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Sun 8 Nov, 7:30pm. Stand-up. 16+. $42.05. More info

Little Guilt w/ Butterknife & Summer Rain – Lass O'Gowrie, Wickham | Sun 8 Nov, 5pm. Indie-pop EP tour stop. More info

Mend & Make Do as Practised by the Porter Women – Miss Porter's House | Sun 8 Nov, 1pm. Heritage talk. $10. More info

History Illuminated – Lake Mac venues | final weekend to Sun 8 Nov. Talks, tours, history cruise and vintage fashion parade. Various prices. More info

Tactile – Clay and Wood – Back to Back Galleries, Cooks Hill | closes Sun 8 Nov. Japanese-trained pottery and timber work. Free. More info

Live On The Green #6 – Mayfield Bowling Club, Mayfield | Sat 7 Nov, gates 1:15pm. Outdoor music day headlined by the Never Ending 80s tribute show, with Replica, Rockit Band and Just Us Duo. $56 + booking fee. More info

Saturday Night Showcase – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Sat 7 Nov, 8:30pm. Five or six stand-up comedians back to back, with dinner-and-show deals at the Barracks Hotel. 16+. From $34.29. More info

Pilates & Posies – King Edward Park, Newcastle | Sat 7 Nov, 8:30am. A 45-minute mat Pilates class, then you choose flowers for a posy to take home. $50. More info

Puppy Pilates – Lot 19, Wickham | Sat 7 Nov, 9am. Pilates with rescue puppies, with profits going to Dog Rescue Newcastle. Ticketed. More info

Build Your Seasonal Plate – Moa & Co, Carrington | Sat 7 Nov, 8am. A one-hour session with Emma Andriessen of Enzy Nourish on building seasonal, gut-friendly meals. Ticketed. More info

Writing Memoir Workshop with Susan Francis – Windale Hub, Windale | Sat 7 Nov, 10am–12pm. Newcastle author Susan Francis teaches structure and technique for memoir writing. $40 + booking fee. More info

Whitebridge Cemetery Tour with Ed Tonks – Whitebridge Cemetery, Charlestown | Sun 8 Nov, 9–11am. A guided walk that includes the graves of miners killed in the 1898 Dudley Colliery disaster. $20 + booking fee. More info

Channel-ing Our Past: Swansea Walking Tour – Swansea RSL, Swansea | Fri 6 Nov, 9:30–11:30am. A 1.5km heritage walk along Swansea Channel. Free. More info

Sunday Session: Printmaking Gift Cards – MAC yapang, Booragul | Sun 8 Nov, 1–3pm. A beginner printmaking workshop to make festive cards, with all materials provided. $35 + booking fee. More info

Through the Lens: 120 Years of Council – MAP mima, Speers Point | Sun 8 Nov, 2–5pm. A drop-in display of historic Lake Macquarie photos in the 360-degree Projection Cube. Free. More info

Synergy – University Gallery | until 14 Nov. Emerging Hunter artists with their mentors. Free. More info

Izabela Pluta: Cavitation – The Lock-Up | until 31 Jan. Water, sound and broken-up maps. Free. More info

Urban Wine Walk Newcastle – eight city venues (Great Northern, The Falcon, Surlys, Ship Inn and more) | Sat 7 Nov, 12–4pm. $79. More info

The Great Gatsby Party – MV Calmer, Queens Wharf | Sat 7 Nov, 7–10pm. Live jazz and showgirls harbour cruise. 18+. From $35–$39. More info

Sunrise Sisterhood "The Rise Tour" – Nobbys Beach | Sun 8 Nov, 5:30–7am. Women-only sunrise session with silent-disco headsets. More info

The Olive Tree Market – Civic Park, Newcastle | Sat 7 Nov, 9am–2pm. 130+ makers, designers and food stalls; first of two Christmas markets this month. Free entry. More info

Glendale Farmers & Artisan Market – Stockland Glendale | Sat 7 Nov, 8am–2pm. Produce, gourmet food, street food and live music under cover. Free entry. More info

The Marina Christmas Twilight Market – Nelson Bay Foreshore | Sat 7 Nov. Handmade and eco stalls, street food and live entertainment. Free entry. More info

Homegrown Markets Maitland – Harold Gregson Park, Maitland | Sun 8 Nov, 9am–1pm. Handmade stalls, produce, street food and live music. Free entry. More info

Newcastle City Farmers Market – Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow | Sun 8 Nov, 7am–1pm. More than 50 stalls of local produce and food trucks, rain or shine. Free entry. More info

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CitySwoon | Newcastle | Casual / Part-time

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One of Australia's most iconic biscuit companies has its roots right here in Newcastle, beginning as a small bakery on Hunter Street more than 160 years ago.

In 1865, Scottish-born baker William Arnott opened his bakery in Newcastle, selling bread, cakes and biscuits to the local community. At the time, Newcastle was a growing industrial and port city, and Arnott's was one of many small businesses serving its expanding population.

The bakery developed a reputation for quality, and as demand increased, Arnott began focusing more heavily on biscuits. In 1882, the company introduced what would become one of its most successful early products: the Milk Arrowroot biscuit.

The lightly sweetened biscuit proved particularly popular with families and children, helping the business expand beyond Newcastle. Its success contributed to Arnott's growth, eventually leading the company to establish larger manufacturing operations in Sydney.

By the early 20th century, Arnott's had become a major Australian biscuit manufacturer, producing a growing range of products that would eventually include favourites such as Scotch Finger, Monte Carlo and Tim Tam.

Today, Arnott's biscuits are found in supermarkets across the country, but the company's story began with William Arnott and a modest bakery on Hunter Street.

Not a bad legacy for a Newcastle bakery.

Bradman Best started at centre in Australia's 66-6 World Cup win over the Cook Islands in Townsville on Saturday 31 October, in front of 19,172. He came off contract on 1 November and no deal has been announced. ESPN reports Parramatta are now the frontrunners, ahead of the Knights' offer of about $4 million over four years. Australia play Samoa in the semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Sunday 8 November at 8.05pm.

Kiwis hit 78, Ponga named for Newcastle semi

New Zealand beat Fiji 78-0 on the Gold Coast on Saturday 31 October, with Casey McLean scoring four tries. Kalyn Ponga missed the game with a broken left arm, but he's in the extended squad for the semi-final against Tonga at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 7 November at 8.05pm. Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland is also in the squad.

Jets beaten by unbeaten Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix beat the Jets 3-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 31 October, in front of 4,558. Corban Piper, Riley Bidois and Nathan Walker scored. The Jets are still without a win this season and play Perth Glory away on Saturday 7 November.

Jets women edged by Victory

Melbourne Victory beat the Jets 1-0 at AAMI Park on Sunday 1 November, with Sienna Saveska scoring in the 25th minute. The Jets play the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Saturday 7 November.