Newcastle has reaffirmed its status as one of Australia’s most welcoming cruise destinations, according to new survey results released by Cruise Newcastle.
The 2025–26 Passenger Survey, conducted between 19 October 2025 and 31 March 2026, found overall visitor experience rated 4.5 out of 5, with strong satisfaction across local services, amenities and ease of exploring the city.
Almost 80 per cent of passengers said they would return to Newcastle and Surrounds – a notable result given 62 per cent of respondents were international travellers. Welcome Volunteers and Visitor Information services received the highest ratings of any destination touchpoint.
Destination Sydney Surrounds North (DSSN) General Manager Glenn Caldwell said the results confirmed Newcastle’s appeal as “an exceptional cruise destination with a welcoming community, walkable city centre, and diverse regional experiences.”
The survey findings coincide with fresh funding for the region’s volunteer program: Port Authority of NSW has awarded a Community Grant to the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group’s Cruise Welcome Volunteer Program, supporting wayfinding services and new visitor maps ahead of the upcoming cruise season.
Port Authority of NSW General Manager Cruise Martin Bidgood said local volunteers were central to the destination’s appeal. “The Cruise Welcome Volunteers play a vital role in providing passengers with information to make the most of their visit to our region, and create genuine connections that passengers remember long after they leave,” he said.
The initiative sits under the Newcastle Cruise Memorandum of Understanding, which brings together Port Authority, DSSN, the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group and seven local councils to grow cruise tourism across Newcastle, the Hunter and Central Coast.
