COOKS HILL / THE HILL
GET TO KNOW
THE AREA
A heartland for arts, culture and enviably good coffee, Cooks Hill offers a taste of Inner City buzz, whilst keeping hold of its local, working class roots. Once an industrial coal mining town, now one of Newcastle’s most desirable postcodes, Cooks Hill is a melting pot of cafés, culture, food and beaches, and all conveniently located just a kilometre south of the CBD. A stylish suburb that comes teeming with art galleries, beautiful parks and stunning streetscapes.
Darby Street is home to some of the city’s best eateries – you’ll find a bounty of backstreet local pubs, gorgeous restaurants and artsy cafés on this bustling strip – and chic independent boutiques (there are hundreds to choose from), but if nothing here takes your fancy, you’re just a short five-minute stroll from the beach and Newcastle’s busy CBD.
A leafy enclave decorated with beautiful Victorian architecture and plenty to see and do, Cooks Hill is one NSW suburb with serious credentials.
Lifestyle
Peppered with charming Victorian terraces and wide, tree-lined streets, Cooks Hill comes oozing with culture and style. Trendy boutiques, small bars and old-school backstreet pubs sit amongst fabulous restaurants, galleries and stylish cafés, whilst the beach – located just a few blocks back from the centre – and parks are the perfect backdrop for scenic outdoor strolls.
Offering a heady mix of culture and coast, everything you need is practically on your doorstep. The harbour, the CBD and the beach are all within walking distance, but head north and you’ll find the Newcastle Art Gallery, Civic Theatre and Playhouse, Civic Park and Newcastle City Hall, for an instant dose of culture.
Read MoreLifestyle
Peppered with charming Victorian terraces and wide, tree-lined streets, Cooks Hill comes oozing with culture and style. Trendy boutiques, small bars and old-school backstreet pubs sit amongst fabulous restaurants, galleries and stylish cafés, whilst the beach – located just a few blocks back from the centre – and parks are the perfect backdrop for scenic outdoor strolls.
Offering a heady mix of culture and coast, everything you need is practically on your doorstep. The harbour, the CBD and the beach are all within walking distance, but head north and you’ll find the Newcastle Art Gallery, Civic Theatre and Playhouse, Civic Park and Newcastle City Hall, for an instant dose of culture.
Darby Street is the main food, drink and shopping hub – boutique browsing is a must – but for artisan goods, venture to Civic Park’s monthly Olive Tree Markets; a cornucopia of unique local treasures. Whilst you’re there wander over to the adjacent Honeysuckle strip for your pick of restaurants, bars and pubs boasting glorious harbourside views. Sitchu tip: Be sure to head there on a Friday for late-night revellery. Vibrant, cultured, creative and with a laidback, friendly vibe, Cooks Hill’s foliage-filled streets waft with effortless cool.
Neighbours
Brimming with young professionals and families – although this trendy suburb is also a hotspot for singletons – Cooks Hill has endless appeal. With an average age of 32, the area has a vibrant, youthful vibe with swarms of creative types tapping away on their laptops in coffee shops and neighbourhood eateries, and families with young kids setting up camp on the beach.
Neighbours
Brimming with young professionals and families – although this trendy suburb is also a hotspot for singletons – Cooks Hill has endless appeal. With an average age of 32, the area has a vibrant, youthful vibe with swarms of creative types tapping away on their laptops in coffee shops and neighbourhood eateries, and families with young kids setting up camp on the beach.
Area features
Charming backstreet pubs
Cooks Hill has a catalogue of old-school pubs that are filled to the brim with friendly locals sharing stories and plates of hearty food over a beer or a glass of wine. Long-standing favourites include the Commonwealth, Oriental and Cricketer’s Arms.
Within walking distance of CBD
Take a short five-minute stroll from the centre of Cooks Hill, and you’ll find Newcastle’s beautiful sandy beach and bustling CBD.
Local food & boutique shopping
Foodies will have a ball on Darby street – Cooks Hill’s main eat street. Discover an array of cosy, old-school pubs, stylish restaurants and trendy cafés on this popular strip, as well as a selection of quaint boutiques selling everything from designer fashion to artistic homewares.
Culture and coast
A harmonious mix of culture and coast. The harbour, the CBD and the beach are all within walking distance, but for culture, head to the north where the Newcastle Art Gallery, Civic Theatre and Playhouse, Civic Park and Newcastle City Hall await.
Civic Park
Boasting pretty parkland and the monthly Olive Tree Market, a stroll around Civic Park will take you past decorative fountains, picturesque landscapes and endless market stalls selling gorgeous artisan goods. Whilst you’re there, wander over to Honeysuckle strip for a bite to eat at one of the many harbourside restaurants.
Heritage properties
If you’re a fan of Victorian architecture, Cooks Hill is the place to find it. Streets are laden with stunning terraces painted in a sea of soft pastels, seductive greys and bright, poppy tints. But it’s the decorative lace cast-iron façade that gives these charming properties that signature Victorian stamp.
