Newcastle offers a range of public transport services, including buses, the Stockton Ferry and trains.

Bus 

Most suburbs within Newcastle and Lake Macquarie are serviced by buses provided by Newcastle Buses and Ferries . A number of private bus operators connect the remaining suburbs, as well as towns and regional centers throughout the Lower Hunter, to Newcastle.

Fare Free Bus

Did you know that any state government bus is free in the city centre between 7.30am and 6:00pm seven days a week? For timetable information on Newcastle bus and ferry services phone 131500. Printed timetables are available from the City Administration Centre or Hamilton Bus Depot.

 City Centre map (889 kb) to help find your way to the nearest bus stop.

Stockton Ferry

The ferry runs regularly from the terminal on Queens Wharf, located along the Newcastle Foreshore.

From Monday to Thursday ferries start from 5.15am and run about every half an hour until 11:00pm. On Friday and Saturday the ferries run until midnight. 

On Sundays and public holidays the ferry runs from 8.30am until 10.00pm.

You buy your tickets on the ferry. The ferry timetable does change. To confirm details go to: newcastlebuses.info

Timetables

For timetable information  on buses and ferries phone 131 500.

Printed timetables for Newcastle Buses and Ferries services are available from Council's City Administration Centre or Hamilton Bus Depot.

Rail

Newcastle is part of the City Rail  network which provides a fast and comfortable way to travel in the Lower Hunter and to the Sydney Metropolitan Region.

For timetable information  phone 131 500. Printed timetables are available from staffed stations (Newcastle, Civic, Wickham, Hamilton, Waratah, and Broadmeadow).

Countrylink  trains and coaches provide regular daily travel to the Upper Hunter, North Western and North Coast regions, and connections in Sydney for Canberra, Melbourne, Southern and Western region trains. Travel on Countrylink services must be pre-booked by phoning 13 22 32.

Taxis

Newcastle Taxis operate in the greater Newcastle area 24hrs a day. Book a taxi anytime by phoning 133 300 or for those with speech or hearing difficulties use the fax booking service on 02 4940 5910.

There are also two secure taxi ranks, one in the Newcastle CBD or one in the Hamilton, to assist late night visitors to get home safely.