A game-changer for Hunter region travellers
Airport: Newcastle Airport NTL
Flight
JQ88 Newcastle to Denpasar, Bali (NTL-DPS)
arrival
My friend picks me up late – and we’re in pretty good shape anyway – so my heart is pounding as we head for the airport. Luckily, we pre-booked premium parking which was just a walk from the terminal. There are five differently priced parking options; premium (covered) parking costs $66 per day (for weekly stays, this drops to $55 per day), and longer stays cost around $122 for seven days. Many drivers (myself included) have experienced problems with the license plate recognition system. There is no train line to the airport but there is a public bus from Newcastle Junction which takes about 40 minutes. There are also taxis, Uber and recently improved pick-up zones available.
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Appearance
The airport looks like a serious player thanks to a $250 million expansion, including the opening of a new $110 million international terminal in September 2025. There’s a new, larger arrivals hall filled with natural light, three luggage carousels and a sculptural roof installation inspired by the nearby Stockton Bight dunes. As part of the expansion, there are now eight gates, including the first aerobridge, which has more than doubled its capacity (the swing gate function allows the airport to switch between domestic and international use as needed). Customs, immigration and quarantine facilities are also new. Runway improvements have also been completed to allow wide-body aircraft capacity for future international flights, including the newly launched Jetstar direct service to Bali.
Entrance
There is a queue for the flight to Bali, but thankfully everyone checks in quickly. Even though we arrive less than 90 minutes before our international flight, we have plenty of time. We checked in online but there is no baggage drop off. For domestic flights, check-in counters only open an hour before, so don’t arrive too early. Our bags are taken away and we head towards safety.
Security
CT x-rays and full-body scanners were added to the airport in 2019, speeding things up significantly. But given that we’re flying internationally, we have to go through a secondary, international screening point that uses outdated technology: laptops and aerosols. Many passengers complain about not being able to fill their water bottles from security at the international terminal, but I hope this happens too. The queue at immigration and customs for returning international travelers is slow and there are no smart gates to process passengers.
food and beverage
In addition to five food and beverage venues, a new sushi venue and café are also planned to open. My pick is the new Novocastrian Taphouse for a local Farmer’s Wife G&T (they also serve Earp Distilling Co gin and Modus beer, both from Newcastle). Bernoulli’s Cafe and Bar (upstairs for international departures) also sells local Newcastle beers, wines and spirits. Likewise, the new Cove Kitchen and Bar serves locally roasted Sprocket coffee (like the Crosswinds Cafe in the arrivals hall).
retail therapy
There is a newsagent/convenience store. It sells magazines, newspapers, books, snacks, tech supplies and local Hunter Valley products including Laguna Lavender, Beelish honey, Uaine Candles and Pukara Estate vinegars and pastes.
elapsed time
While the airport has free Wi-Fi, adequate power and USB outlets, and plenty of seating, it gets crowded during peak hours. The most fun thing is watching (and hearing) F-35s take off and land from Williamtown AFB.
One more thing
Newcastle Airport offers direct non-stop flights to 12 destinations as well as connections to more than 65 international cities. In addition to the new Bali flights (starting from March 29, there will be a one-stop flight from Bali to Singapore with the same aircraft), direct flights to Perth and Hobart have recently been launched with Jetstar.
Six airlines operate from Newcastle Airport, including Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Fly Pelican, Link Airways and Eastern Air Services.
Currently NSW’s second busiest airport (it is jointly owned by Newcastle and Port Stephens councils and its runway is owned by the Department of Defence), Newcastle Airport serves around 1.3 million passengers a year but is forecast to increase to 2.6 million by 2036, with a capacity of around five million.
Decision
The opening of the international terminal is a game-changer for the 1.4 million residents living in Newcastle Airport’s catchment area in the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast and Northern Sydney. Personally, the easy 20-minute drive from home means I’ll fly wherever I can from here, as opposed to the two-hour-plus round trip via the M1 to Sydney.
Our rating out of five
★★★★
The author flew with permission from Jetstar.
Sheriden Rhodes is a travel writer and photographer who frequently travels the world with her small flight, Ella.Connect with: X.
