Getting to Newcastle Writers Festival 2026

Are you heading to this year’s Newcastle Writers Festival? Running from Friday 27 – Sunday 29 March, this year’s festival promises a feast for literary minds and poetic hearts.

Most events take place the Civic precinct, including City Hall, Civic Theatre and NUSpace – easily to get to with bus and light rail services stopping nearby.

Check out our travel advice below or plan your trip here.

Light rail

With the festival located in Newcastle Civic precinct, light rail is the perfect choice for travelling into the city.

The services run between Newcastle Interchange and Newcastle Beach.

Hop off at Civic light rail stop for City Hall, University of Newcastle NUSpace, Press Book House, Watt Street Gallery, Civic Playhouse and the Conservatorium of Music Harold Lobb Concert Hall.

The light rail operates 7 days a week between 5am and 1am with services running every 7.5 minutes between 7am and 7 pm on weekdays  and every 15 minutes on the evenings and weekends.

Bus

Bus routes 11, 13 and 14 have Newcastle covered with services every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends between 7am and 7pm.

Bus routes 12, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28 and 47, connect suburbs with Newcastle Interchange and Marketown. From there you can connect with the light rail at Newcastle Interchange or Honeysuckle stop.

For bus routes 11, 13 and 23, hop off at the bus stop at University House on King Street for a short walk to City Hall, University of Newcastle NUSpace, Press Book House, Watt Street Gallery and the Conservatorium of Music Harold Lobb Concert Hall.

For bus route 14, hop off at King St after Darby St.

Ferry

The ferry operates between Stockton and Queens Wharf with services every 15 minutes during peak periods and 20 minutes throughout the day and weekends. Connect with light rail at the Queens Wharf light rail stop to travel to Civic light rail stop.