Newcastle Airport Parking

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Guide to Newcastle Airport

Newcastle Airport processed 1,272,634 passengers in 2017/18 (a new annual record), is experiencing a 1.2% year-on-year passenger movement growth and operates over 280 services per week.

Its five carriers (Jetstar, Virgin Australia, QuantasLink, FlyPelican and Regional Express) fly to nine direct destinations and 85% of its traffic in financial year 2018 was accounted for by main routes to Sydney and Melbourne. New routes added recently include Adelaide and Auckland, New Zealand.

The airport is situated in Port Stephens, just north of Newcastle in New South Wales and right next to RAAF Base Williamtown.

It supports over 6,500 jobs, contributes almost $1.2 billion to Australia’s national economy annually and is a major gateway to the nation’s biggest regional economy. Newcastle Airport has also invested $31.5 million in capital expenditure in the past five years and recorded a 7% increase in financial year 2018 revenue.

Although it’s a smaller airport by international standards, Newcastle offers a good range of retail and dining options for travellers. There’s a choice of cafes and bars selling tasty meals, chilled cocktails and excellent local wines, while a well-stocked book and magazine outlet offers fascinating reads aplenty.

Newcastle Airport also punches above its weight when it comes to awards and recognition – it was named Major Airport of the Year 2018 by the Australian Airports Association (AAA), won a Gold Award in the Specialised Tourism Category at the 2012 Quantas Australian Tourism Awards and a 2010 Hunter Business Awards gong for Outstanding Customer Service.

Newcastle Airport (NTL) location and transport links

Newcastle Airport is actually located in Port Stephens, which is a half hour drive from Newcastle, New South Wales, on Australia’s east coast.

If you’re travelling by bus from Newcastle city centre, Port Stephens Coaches operates a service from Newcastle train station to the airport – it runs 11 times daily and you can find further information by calling the company on (02) 4982 2940.

The second bus company which serves the hub is Hunter Valley Buses – it runs a service from Newcastle Airport to Stockton, Raymond Terrace and Maitland. Get the latest information on timetables by calling (02) 4935 7200.

If you’re travelling by train, Broadmeadow Station is Newcastle’s major rail hub, so you should browse the TrainLink website to see which of their inter-city services you can catch if you’re leaving from cities like Brisbane and Sydney.

Last but by no means least, getting to Newcastle Airport in your own car is easy – set your SatNav for: Newcastle Airport, 1 Williamtown Drive, Williamtown NSW 2318. If you’re already based in Newcastle but haven’t been to the airport for a while, simply follow the B63 north from the city centre and you’ll be there in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.

Newcastle Airport (NTL) history

When the first charter flight landed at RAAF Base, Williamtown in 1947, the air hub that would become Newcastle Airport was named Williamtown Civilian Airport.

Scheduled commercial services began in earnest on 20th February 1948 and the formal history of the airport we know and love began to unfold. It was operated by the Commonwealth Government until 1990, when Port Stephens Council and Newcastle City Council took over and accepted full responsibility for its operation, development and maintenance.

Major upgrades were completed in 1975, 1994 and 2000, while a large-scale refurbishment in 2005 saw the terminal floor area, arrivals and departures doubled in size and introduced a modern and efficient car parking and road system.

Newcastle Airport is surrounded by Class C air space and now stretches across a 69 acre footprint on the southern edge of RAAF, Williamtown, which it still shares the runway and air traffic control operations with.

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Airport facilities

Newcastle Airport recorded 25 consecutive months of consecutive year-on-year monthly passenger growth to December 2017 and shareholders have approved purchase of an additional 76 hectares of land so that it can cope with increasing passenger demand in future.

So as you’d expect from an up and coming airport, its services and facilities have evolved to an excellent standard and are likely to go from strength to strength. It’s well-appointed with chic cafes, a bespoke bar, fine wine restaurant and gourmet chicken outlet and with more than a million passengers processed annually, everyone who needs fed and watered before and after flights can leave completely satisfied.

As airports go, it’s also an ambient and aesthetically pleasing space to spend time in. A $14.5 million terminal redevelopment was opened in 2015, which included the terminal building being extended by 50%, cutting-edge facilities for customs and immigration, a new departure lounge and quarantine section to enable the operation of international flights.

Furthermore, in March 2018, plans for Newcastle Airport Vision 2036 were unveiled by authorities. This ambitious master plan aims to futureproof the airport by expanding terminal facilities over two levels, enhancing the food, beverage and retail footprint, implementing international services, improving road access and creating an onsite business campus.

There’s also a friendly army of volunteer airport ambassadors on hand at all times to help you with everything from directions around the terminal, advice on facilities, updates on departure times, helping passengers with special needs and dispensing amazing local knowledge. The ambassadors are easily recognisable in their aquamarine blazers and waistcoats and are always delighted to help.

Services and facilities include:

• Short and long-term covered and uncovered onsite and off-site parking.

• Free shuttle bus service from Long Stay Saver parking lot to terminal building.

• Disability parking in all onsite car parks, tactile ground surface indicators in and outside the terminal for visually impaired travellers, accessible kerbside drop-off/pick-up point at eastern end of terminal near arrivals door.

• Assistance for wheelchair passengers and discreet security screening for passengers with disabilities and wheelchair assistance can be prearranged. Disabled toilets and check-in counters are provided, the facilities are assistance-animal friendly and there’s a hearing loop installed in the terminal.

• Full range of cafes and restaurants serving local and international cuisine, snacks and fast food, fine wines, cocktails and soft drinks. Bookshop/newspaper outlet on site.

• Three ATMs in the terminal, with two next to the security screening area in departures and one in the arrivals hall.

• Parents room located at Gate 2 in the terminal amenities precinct, with nursing chair and baby change equipment. There are also several other baby change facilities in all disabled toilets throughout the building.

• Designated outside smoking area in the Short Stay Car Park.

• Several toilets at check-in, departure lounge and arrivals.

• Luggage trolleys available at arrivals and departures for a small fee.

• Free Wi-Fi throughout the airport.

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Newcastle Airport hotel and parking

The hotel provision in and around the airport is more focused on quality than quantity of choice, but there are still several good options available.

The Newcastle Airport Mercure is onsite and features 95 rooms, a gym, bar, restaurant and conference facilities, but there are also offsite hotels in Williamtown, Medowie and Raymond Terrace which are a stone’s throw from the airport and offer comfortable lodgings.

Accommodation closer to the airport is probably best for family groups which may include elderly relatives or small children, and more convenient for passengers who require extra assistance. However, you may find a more economical deal if you’re prepared to shop around online and travel for a few miles in order to reach departures.

Some of these hotels might also offer park, sleep and fly packages that are competitive, so take a look online and weigh up your options.

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Top things to do in Newcastle Airport

Lunch on legendary chicken

If you’re not familiar with Red Rooster, then you’re in for a real finger-licking treat that will keep you and your family clucking with satisfaction while you wait for your flight.

This Aussie institution serves wonderful whole roast chickens, spicy half roasts, healthy wraps, bountiful burgers, fresh salads and delicious desserts.

When you want fast food that doesn’t compromise on quality, look no further than this legendary lunch spot.

Sample local wines

For something a little more adult, head to Valley & Vine for five star, freshly prepped gourmet food washed down with stunning local Hunter wines.

Wine making in the Hunter Valley has been a tradition since the late 18th Century and today, the region’s Semillon and Chardonnay are renowned the world over.

Sipping from a glass of one of the best wines available provides a sweet start to any business trip or vacation – it’s good to treat yourself.

Buy a good book

If you’re a genuine book lover, you’ll probably appreciate the old-school feel and fresh smell of a brand new paper book more than the data version you can download on your phone or tablet.

If you fall into this category, head straight for the nattily-named News Travels at Newcastle Airport.

Whether you want to treat yourself to the 50 Shades of Grey series, get stuck into Tolstoy’s War and Peace or marvel at Hemingway’s economy of language in The Old Man and The Sea, you’re in the right place.

And with the latest newspapers and niche magazines from across the globe also on offer, you’ll have enough reading material for an around-the-world flight.

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Top things to do near Newcastle Airport

Catch a wave in Newcastle

Newcastle itself is less than a half hour from the airport, and it also happens to be one of the best places in the world for water sports and beach culture.

So if you and your kids have always fancied catching a wave, stop off for a sea-borne sojourn at Surfest Surf School at Nobby’s Beach, where champion surfer Rhys Smith spends his off-season teaching all-comers to ride the waves – get out there and bag a big one.

Get back to nature in Port Stephens

Port Stephens is the home of NTL, but it’s sometimes overlooked as a tourist location, which is a shame since it’s got such an abundance of awesome natural attractions.

Unique activities on offer include whale watching, off-trail cycling, horse riding and abseiling. Alternatively, you can get up close and personal to animals like koalas, Tasmanian Devils and ring-tailed lemurs at Oakvale Wildlife Park.

Don’t bypass Port Stephens if you’re yearning for serene spots where you can immerse yourself in natural beauty and completely unwind from workaday worries.

Laid-back Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie is located south of Newcastle and just one and a half hours from Sydney, so if you’re travelling to the airport from that direction, it’s the perfect pit stop.

With secluded bays, sandy inlets and dramatic rocky cliff faces, it’s awash with stunning scenery and a prime pick for swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling.

However, you’re also catered for if you fancy slightly more sedate activities – for instance, taking a romantic stroll along the lakefront cultural trail or a yacht trip at Belmont Sailing Club. Alternatively, find out about the life and work of famous Australian artist Sir William Dobell at Dobell House, his former home and now a fascinating museum filled with artworks and audio visual presentations that bring his stellar career to life.

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Useful tips

Visit the Newcastle Airport website

Get the latest information on flight delays and departures and guidance on airport facilities.

Arrive at least two hours prior to your departure

Enhanced security at airports worldwide mean that you should build in time for possible long waits in queues. So be prepared and build in plenty of pre-flight time.

Visit Looking4.com to pre-book Newcastle Airport Parking

You may find a deal here that beats in-house options and although the onsite parking is of a decent standard, there’s no mechanism to book before you leave, which may lead to a lack of choice when you get there.

Browse activity discount sites like Groupon

You could find deals on exciting activities in Port Stephens, Newcastle and New South Wales – the savings on offer mean you’ll save pennies to spend on something special during your vacation.

Have your ID and tickets to hand

Keeping your passport, travel documents and paper or electronic tickets in a safe place that’s easy to reach means you’ll breeze through security swiftly and settle down in departures with perfect peace of mind.

Don’t smoke inside the terminal building

There’s a designated area to light up at the Short Stay Car Park.

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Newcastle Airport FAQs

How do I find my flight at Newcastle Airport?

Newcastle Airport is small but perfectly formed, so whether you’re flying with QuantasLink, Pelican, Virgin Australia or any other carrier, you won’t struggle to find your flight.

There’s clear and accessible signage throughout arrivals and departures, and helpful airport ambassadors are always on hand to assist you by answering absolutely any question you may have, from providing directions to your departure gate to informing you about flight times.