Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Destination NSW and proudly endorsed by Tracks Magazine.
Newcastle, the steel city, in NSW is home to the working class Australian, the Newy Knights and one of the world’s most iconic surf events – Surfest. The contest, which could now be considered a full blown festival, started in 1985 and began as the richest surfing competition on the planet. Over the past three decades it’s played host to surfing’s biggest names, acting as a stop on the World Tour for a number of years. In recent times it’s acted as a regional WSL QS Event but in 2025 Surfest will serve as the first stop on the WSL Challenger Series, the second tier of professional surfing, as it continues to cement its legacy as a staple in the world surfing calendar. However, Surfest is more than just a contest to the people of Newcastle. It’s the amalgamation of their core surfing community and rich history being represented on a big stage for the world to see.
Surfing runs deep in Newcastle’s blood and the city is home to the likes of 4x World Champion Mark Richards, former CT stalwart Matt Hoy and a current crop of talent that includes Ryan Callinan, Morgan Cibilic and Jacko Baker.
The event, which was the first ever live televised surfing contest, was founded by Warren Smith and started at Newcastle Main Beach but in 2007 moved permanently to the iconic Merewether Beach. Newcastle Surfest has played host to some iconic moments which are etched in pro surfing history, including the Occy vs Curren final in 1986, Parko’s victory in 2013 when the comp moved to the famous Newcastle harbour slab as well as heroic hometown victories in recent times from the likes of Philippa Anderson and Jacko.
Event Schedule and key dates
Newcastle Surfest runs nine different events across all ages from March to June, including the Surfest Pro Junior, the Surfest Indigenous Classic, the Evolution Charity Cup, the Surfest High School Team Challenge and the Reflections Cadet Cup events. The crescendo is the Burton Automotive Newcastle Surfest presented by Bonsoy Challenger Series event which runs from 2 – 8 June.
It’s the first stop on the 2025 WSL CS calendar where surfers will look to quality for the Championship Tour and those from the CT who have been victims of the mid-year cut will look to requalify.
One of those looking to get back on tour full time is Merewether local Jacko Baker who’s not competed on the CT since being relegated back to the CS in 2023. Jacko won Surfest in 2022 when it was a Qualifying Series event but believes the fact it’s now a Challenger presents a clean slate for everyone.
“Us locals had a bit of a curse competing in our home event here. Philippa was the first Novacastrian to win it in 2009 but I was the first male local to take the victory in 2022. As a previous winner, some would think it gives me an advantage but the slate has been wiped clean now that it’s a Challenger. It poses the question of who is going to be the first local to win it as a CS event.”
Jacko believes having the home crowd advantage can be both a ‘good luck charm’ and a ‘curse’.
“You can definitely feel a bit of pressure when you’ve got thousands of people on the beach cheering for you, but it’s about tapping into that and using it to your advantage.”
Another surfer looking to use it to his advantage is former CT runner up Julian Wilson. Jules was born on the Sunshine Coast but has called Newcastle his home for a number of years. He recently stepped away from competitive surfing to focus on his family and his business but is now gunning to get back to surfing’s big league.
He comes into Newcastle in red hot form after a second place finish at the Gold Coast CT event which he entered as a wildcard by winning the trials.
Julian said he is proud to call Newcastle his home but did not beat around the bush on which way the crowd will sway if he comes up against a Novacastrian.
“I’ll get the support until I come against a surfer who was born in Newcastle,” he joked.
Must visits in Newcastle
Each year thousands of people flock to Merewether Beach to get a glimpse of the world’s best surfers in action.
Due to the shape of Merewether Beach, the contest venue is a natural amphitheater and with the boardwalk hovering just over the beach, it provides the best platform for contest viewing, according to Sanbah Surf Shop Owner Rhys Smith.
“If the waves are firing, Merewether is the most perfect spot to have a contest. Long right handers, it can look like J-Bay when it’s on. To look in at the beach as a competitor and see the swarms of people is just incredible.
“To see guys from all over the world coming to your hometown to compete and surf the waves you surf every day is just amazing.”
If you’re in town for the contest and in need of your own surfing equipment, you can check out Sanbah which has supported Surfest since the shop first opened.
As for other must visit spots outside of the contest, Jacko takes his pre and post surf fuel seriously.
“I live down the road from Akuna Café and I can literally order my coffee online, stroll down the road and pick it up on my way to the surf. It’s that easy and I’m that lazy.
“As for post surf, I love a classic Chicken Salad Sanga from Merewether Bakery.”
One of the charms about Newcastle is the close proximity of the city to the beach, it allows surf culture to mix with the other vibrant and buzzing parts of the area. A spot which blends the two perfectly is the Beach Hotel in Merewether which offers classic pub grub with views of the ocean. It will also play host to the Tracks Party on Friday 6 June with performances from a number of bands including local heroes and surf rock enthusiasts Rum Jungle.
If you’re in town for the contest but want to get a wave in yourself, check out Bar Beach, Newcastle Main Beach or Nobby’s. The city also has some stunning coastal walks and swimming spots including the Newcastle Memorial Walk, the Bogey Hole and the Merewether Ocean Baths.
Plan your trip
Newcastle is a two-hour drive north from Sydney along the Pacific Highway. You can also catch a train or bus direct from Sydney’s Central Station to Newcastle and the journey takes just under three hours. If you’re travelling from further North, you can also easily access Newcastle via the Pacific Highway which runs along the NSW coast. If you’re coming from further field Newcastle also has an airport with regular domestic flight in and out of the city.
There are accommodations options available for all budgets from backpacker hostels and self-catering apartments to luxury hotels and resorts. To check what’s on offer for every type of budget, click here.
So whether you’re as core as the surf community of Newcastle or a fresh face to surfing, the city will welcome you with open arms. Experiencing Surfest is experiencing Newcastle at its best with thousands due to line the beach to watch the world’s best in the day before spilling out across the city at night to enjoy its many different offerings.
With the CS event just around the corner, now is your excuse to plan your trip to Newcastle and to keep up to date with Newcastle Surfest, click here.
