If your trip to Newcastle is all locked in but your itinerary is a little on the empty side, let us give you a few hints and tips.Stop by Newcastle Beach. It’s one attraction you’ll usually find on most visitors’ to-do lists. If you still have some space on your schedule, Nobbys Head Beach and Merewether Beach will keep you entertained too.

If you’re looking for a day-trip destination, we’ve got a couple of ideas. Situated 31 miles away, Pokolbin is worth getting in the car for. Among your first stops here ought to be Hunter Valley Gardens, Hope Estate and Roche Estate. Hawks Nest is another terrific option. It’s 34 miles away and has tons of awesome things to see and do. Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest Bridge, Jimmys Beach and Winda Woppa Reserve are just the start.

Newcastle has some stunning stretches of coastline, and what better way to explore them than from behind the wheel of your own rental car. See what fascinating shells and treasures you can find peppered along the water’s edge at one of these famous beaches:

• Dudley Beach (4 miles away).
• Blacksmiths Beach (10 miles away).
• Catherine Hill Beach (19 miles away).

Here are some of our top recommendations to bag the best deal on a rental car:

• A car can take you anyplace — so can we. Compare the best deals from all the top companies in just a couple of clicks.
• Arrange an email Price Drop Alert for your next vacation destination. You never know what sensational bargains will hightail it into your inbox
• Look at the offers at all rental locations in town, including the airport terminal and surrounding area. A quick cab ride to a nearby car rental center may result in some impressive savings
• You can sometimes save a pretty penny if your travel plans are flexible. Play with different days and dates and find out what savings you can score
• Nobody enjoys being whacked with a late fee. Avoid paying for another full day by making sure your pickup and drop-off times are similar
• Keep more cash in your bank account. You’ll grab some of the thriftiest deals when you pay in advance for your rental car
• And finally, secure your favorite set of wheels as soon as you possibly can to grab a truckload of savings!

Newcastle has so much to offer. You could chill out for a week or more in this place and not run out of things to see. If you want to take in as much as you can in this dynamic metropolis, a rental car is a must. Keep in mind that driving around big cities often goes hand in hand with tight streets and limited parking spaces. But don’t worry — a small car like a compact can make this a lot easier to navigate. If you’re going to skip town and explore some of the bays that Newcastle is known for, you’ll probably prefer something with more room to move. A full-size or mid-size SUV are perfect for scenic road trips.

For some people, owning a luxury vehicle is the stuff of fairy tales. But renting your dream car is far more achievable than you might think! Experience the thrill of cruising the open roads in a swanky convertible, even if it’s only for a day or two. Or maybe all you’re after is a reliable set of wheels to bring you safely from A to B. Flashy or frugal? Either way, there’s a rental car to suit your style in Newcastle.

From its high-speed highways to its suburban streets, exploring Newcastle will be a breeze with your own wheels. But before you get into the fast lane, here’s what you should know about cruising around this city:

Stick to the left side of the road in Newcastle. If you plan to grab a rental car here, be aware that the steering wheel will be on the right. It could take a bit to get the hang of!

Finding a parking space in Newcastle is a cinch. You don’t need to keep driving around the block in heavy traffic here — and that’s why the locals love it. There’s plenty of off and on-street parking available.

As the population of Newcastle is approximately 308,300, you probably won’t have much difficulty with traffic congestion. That being said, main roads generally get busy before and after work hours, so you may want to avoid driving during these times.

There sure are. In the city of Newcastle, speed limits range from 40km/h to 100km/h. Residential areas have a default speed limit of 50km/h unless marked otherwise.

More often than not, your chosen car rental company will bill the fined amount to your credit card. Alternatively, the company may provide your contact details to local authorities so they can send a fine directly to you.

If you have hands-free or Bluetooth functions enabled, it’s fine to use your cell phone while operating a vehicle in Newcastle. But ensure you keep your eyes on the road.

The legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limit while operating a vehicle in Newcastle is 0.05%. If a big night is on the cards, leave your wheels behind and organize another way of getting home instead.

It’s prohibited to turn at a red light in Newcastle. If you encounter one, enjoy a mindful moment until the signal flicks back to green.

Seat belts have to be worn in New South Wales. That being said, the rule may not apply for certain vehicles, such as those used by public transportation networks.