Cruise Newcastle

Newcastle has been welcoming cruise ships to the Port since 2001. What started as a “one off” visit has grown to become more than 12 cruise ship visits a year.

The cruise industry contributes to growing the Newcastle and Greater Hunter visitor economy.  In 2022-23, cruise contributed $11.5* million to the local visitor economy. 

Destination Sydney Surrounds North (DSSN) liaises with the Port Authority of NSW, Destination NSW, Ground Handlers, Cruise Lines and other related organisations and local businesses to ensure Newcastle and the Greater Hunter maximises opportunities to increase the impact on the visitor economy from the cruise market for the region.

If you are a business or tour operator based in Newcastle/Greater Hunter Region and are interested in hosting passengers on shore excursion tours or activities please see the information below on developing shore excursion tours.

You can contact Destination Sydney Surrounds North Cruise Manager via email cruise@dssn.com.au

 *Source: Australia Cruise Association Economic Impact Assessment of Cruise tourism 2022-23 prepared by AEC Group Ltd.

In 2024-25 Newcastle will receive 13 cruise ship visits – click here to view Newcastle Cruise Schedule.  You can also access, for up to 2 years in advance, the Newcastle Cruise Schedule on the  Port Authority of NSW website.

Cruise ships arrive in Newcastle at the Port’s Channel Berth, located at Carrington and a shuttlebus takes passengers on the 10-min drive to the CBD. For cruise passengers who have booked a shore excursion tour via the cruise line, departure is from the cruise terminal.

Public access to the berth is restricted due to safety and security.

PLEASE NOTE:  It is not possible for independent tour operators to pick up cruise passengers from Newcastle Port due to security and safety concerns.  All passengers have access to the shuttle bus that drops them at Newcastle CBD area as well as to taxis.  Therefore, independent tours need to make alternative pick up/drop off arrangements with passengers.

When cruise ships visit Newcastle during the cruise season, passengers can book shore excursion tours to explore and experience the destination with local guides.  The cruise lines work with Ground Handlers, based in Australia, who develop and manage the shore excursion programs on behalf of cruise lines.

To sell your experience to cruise passengers, you will need to work with a Ground Handler, who can arrange to sell your product via the cruise line.  

Destination Sydney Surrounds North as well as Destination NSW can assist you to develop your product for the cruise market. 

A great starting point is the Destination NSW Quick Tips for Creating Cruise Shore Experiences which provides valuable information. 

For assistance and advice on developing shore excursion experiences you can contact:

• Cruise Newcastle – Destination Sydney Surrounds North – Contact cruise@dssn.com.au
• Destination NSW – Product Manager, Cruise, Rail, Road & Air – Contact product@dnsw.com.au

CRUISE NEWCASTLE WELCOME VOLUNTEERS

If you enjoy meeting new people, and want to ensure that cruise ship visitors have a memorable experience in our beautiful city being a cruise welcome volunteer can be a rewarding experience.

The Cruise Welcome Volunteer program is managed by the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group to ensure that visitors to Newcastle have a memorable time and become advocates and repeat visitors to the city.

For further information and register your interest click here.WAITING ON CONFIRMATION.

CRUISE NEWCASTLE TOUR GUIDES

Being a tour guide can be a great choice for people who are passionate about travel, enjoy meeting new people, and want to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for their region.

You can register an expression of interest to work, on a casual basis, as a Tour Guide to escort cruise ship passengers arriving at Newcastle on shore excursion tours within Newcastle and the Greater Hunter region including the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast and Maitland/Morpeth.  The peak cruise season for Newcastle is September-March.

For additional information and to register your interest click here.

KEY CRUISE CONTACTS