Mayfield is one of Newcastle’s oldest and largest suburbs – once home to thousands of BHP workers and their families, with a bit of a reputation for being quite rough around the edges. But a lot has changed over the past ten or so years, and these days there’s not a lot you can’t find, most of it on or not far from the 100 bus route along Maitland Road.

Got an active streak? Head to Mayfield Pool between September and April for a swim in the sun and then some hot chips in the shade. During the peak summer months the Pool runs special events like poolside cinema and inflatable days, and keep and eye out in December for surfing Santa, standing out the front, and their annual Christmas party. Take a ball and have a kick around nearby Dangar Park afterwards, or watch the skaters show off their best tricks at the skate park. Further west on Maitland Road, you’ll find Mayfield Superstrike.

Mayfield also has two gyms – Genesis at the Diggers Club on Hanbury Street and Balance on William Street near Industrial drive, and a soccer club and multiple fields up on Gregson Avenue. We told you this suburb was big…

If food and drink is more your thing, Mayfield has you covered too. Barrio is award-winning, fantastic tapas a short walk from NewSA, but it’s best to book because it can get busy. A little further past the main drag, Westside Pizzeria has just opened up and is bringing classic Italian pie to the suburbs, and across Maitland Road Talby’s does ice-cream and chicken wings for days. Want something even more cheap and cheerful? Head further west and find Blakeney’s Pies and Mayfield West Kebabs and Charcoal Chicken – both local institutions you might miss at first glance.

But it’s coffee where Mayfield is currently really hitting it’s stride. From The Locomotive — where they’re so serious they recommend you skip the sugar and tell you the origin of every single cup — to Onyx — which has a daily gourmet cruffin flavour — to The Oily May and Side Pocket Espresso and Perry The Feeder food truck and Portafilter (out of the way down near Waratah Station)… and literally half a dozen more, all opening in the past three or four years, Mayfield has become a coffee-lovers paradise so fast it’s impossible to keep up.

Need something fancy to take home? Pork Ewe Deli does a roaring trade in gourmet deli meats and cheeses, as well as spreads, sauces and other gourmet delights. They even do sausage-making classes!

And that’s aside from the supermarkets (and another “coming soon”), chemists, butchers, bakeries, op-shops, a huge antique store and everything else. So next time you’re at a loose end or after a bite to eat, stroll west along Maitland Road or catch a 100 bus and check out the super-suburb right on your doorstep.

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It’s October, which means the weather’s warming up and most of Newcastle is heading down to the beach and intuit he great outdoors to enjoy the sunshine. Unfortunately, for many of our NewSA residents, October means it’s time to start thinking about the end of the year, and that means Exams and assignments. Don’t despair – we’ve put together a list of five smartphone apps that might make studying a little easier, so you can get everything done and get outside that little bit sooner!

1. Be Focused (mac – also available for android and windows)
The pomodoro method is a longstanding trick for increasing productivity by breaking your workload into small manageable chunks with short breaks in between to rest your brain and your eyes. Of the many pomodoro apps out there, Be Focused has always served us well. Set your work time and your break time, and then see how many pomodoros you can smash in one day.

2. Evernote (all platforms)
Every student’s best friend, Evernote is perfect for pulling together all your lecture notes and course materials so you can access them easily when you need them. Get organised with checklists, planners, to-do lists and add voice reminders for things you really don’t want to forget. Add in links from the web and your computer and keep everything in one place that syncs across all your devices so you can carve out a few minutes to review your notes whenever and wherever you are. Perfect!

3. Spotify (all platforms)
Not everyone likes to study to music but if you do, Spotify is perfect for finding or creating playlists that will have you zipping through your work with a bop of the head and a smile on your face. The free version features ads and a few less features than the paid version, but you can get a 30-day free trial that will get you through the worst of the study season.

4. Instapaper (iphone/Ipad and android)
Instapaper is a clever little app that lets you save anything you find online to read later. Use it to save articles and research that’s critical to your essays and reports so you can read them any time – or for fun reads that you stumble across on your pomorodo-permitted breaks, so you can get back to work more quickly and know you’ve got something light to look forward to at the end of the study tunnel.

5. Dropbox (all platforms)
As comfortable and spacious as NewSA’s rooms and common spaces are, sometimes it’s nice to get out and about. Having dropbox on your phone, tablet and laptop or desktop means you can access all your files across all of your devices, or from any computer, and any work is backed up in case of loss, theft or disc failure. These days you can also access your dropbox from places like the Officeworks print and copy centre, so there’s no more having to muck around with USBs, and you can be making edits on your phone right up until you’re ready to print!

This list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are hundreds — maybe thousands — more specialised study apps out there, for everything from note-taking to quizzes to essay-writing and referencing to looking after your health while you study. Tell us your favourites in the comments!

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1. The Coast Walk
Grab your walking shoes, a hat, a camera and some water, and explore Newcastle’s coastline. If you’re feeling energetic, start at the breakwall at the North end of Nobby’s Beach, follow the path along Shortland Esplanade past the baths to Newcastle Beach, then head through King Edward Park, enjoy the magnificent views of the Anzac walk and keep going past Bar Beach and over the hills to Dixon Park and Merewether… and then back again! If that sounds exhausting, never fear – you can do any part of this route and we guarantee you’ll be blown away by the views, and there are plenty of places to stop for a coffee or a snack on the way too!

2. Ride the Fernleigh Track
Once a part of what was Newcastle’s extensive rail network, the Fernleigh track is 15km of sealed, easy track, running from Adamstown to Belmont through beautiful bushland. You wouldn’t know you were ten minutes away from the centre of a major city! Stop in at the Fernleigh Cafe before you head out for a snack or some take-away, or have lunch by Lake Macquarie at the other end, and don’t forget to snap a photo of the iconic Fernleigh tunnel. (Image: newcastle.nsw.gov.au)

3. Visit the Obelisk
Unsurprisingly, the highest point in Newcastle has some amazing views of the coastline and city. Pack a picnic lunch (there’s not much nearby) and take a camera – it’s a short but steep walk from the centre of town, and a picturesque spot to spend a couple of hours. Be warned: it can get breezy!

4. Take a Ferry to Stockton
Even Newcastle locals forget about Stockton. Just across the harbour, it’s a beautiful beachside suburb with a couple of great cafes, pubs and parks, as well as an amazing beach and it’s own breakwall for those looking for more of a walk. You can drive there, if you have a car, but we think catching the ferry is an essential part of the experience. It runs from the Foreshore every half hour and only takes about ten minutes, but you get to see Newcastle from a whole different angle.

5. Hit the markets
Between Olive Tree, Hunt + Gather and the Farmers Market, Newcastle is a market town. Most markets run year-round but Spring is definitely peak season – there’s nothing better than exploring the creative offerings of stallholders on a warm sunny Spring morning, then catching some extra rays with a gourmet coffee and a fresh baked treat. Keep track of what’s coming up on Facebook and go out and get yourself some goodies. (Image: Visitnewcastle.com.au)

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We think that one of the best things about NewSA is how close we are to the best parts of Newcastle. This series of blog posts is about helping you discover the neighbourhoods that make up Newy, one by one. First up: Islington, right on NewSA’s front doorstep. 

Centred around a stretch of Maitland Road that connects Tighes Hill to Hamilton and the Newcastle CBD, for a long time Islington felt like part of a journey and not a destination – but that’s definitely not the case any more! A short, tree-lined stroll from our Tighes Hill accommodation, this little suburb is full of funky, eclectic shops, cafes and bars.

Coffee fiends can’t go past Suspension Espresso at the end of Beaumont Street – it’s some of the best brew in Newcastle, served up in a relaxed, welcoming setting, perfect for a morning or study… or people-watching. If you’re more of a tea drinker, Madame Mo’s on Maitland Road has you covered. They have a huge range of teas as well as a selection of dumplings and brunch on weekends. They also stock a range of frozen yum cha favourites for you to take home. The Tailor’s Workshop is a relative newbie to the region, but it’s another option for excellent coffee, and delicious, meditteranean-inspired meals.

Islington is becoming quite the shopping destination as well, with Yardsale offering a hand-curated range of fashion and homewares, Hide + Seeker specialising in vintage frocks and bespoke leathergoods and Stoned Saint Moon’s dedication to vintage, designer and everything in between. And if you’re looking for something more cheap and cheerful, Newcastle’s op-shopping is second-to-none and Islington Vinnies is no exception. You can pick up everything from clothes to books to homewares to furniture and appliance.

If you enjoy the great outdoors, Islington Park offers plenty of spots to chill out in the sun with a book. There’s also a state-of-the-art kids playground, a skate bowl, picnic areas, and two BBQ areas for public use. At the northern end of the park you can find the beginning of the Throsby Track, which runs along Throsby Creek – it’s perfect for walking, running or cycling and can take you all the way into the Newcastle CBD. The council has also installed a selection of body-weight-driven workout stations along the track for an extra challenge!

At night, Islington quietens down… mostly! The Small Ballroom is one of Newcastle’s newest and most exciting venues, hosting indie, rock and alternative acts from Newcastle, Australia and beyond! And the best bit is if you’re staying at NewSA you’re just a short stumble from home at the end of the night!

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Now that it’s finished and open, we can safely say that it has. NeW Space is a great addition to Newcastle’s ever-evolving CBD and we enjoyed our first look around the space at their recent community day. The next test, of course, is how it works as a university building – let’s hope the view isn’t too distracting! Will you be studying at NeW Space? Let us know what you think!

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Last weekend we took a few of our students (and an overseas visitor) for a trip up to Tyrell’s Winery in Pokolbin. A crisp, sunny winters day is perfect for soaking up the history and tradition of the Valley and, if you’re keen, tasting some of the wines that have made Tyrell’s such a Hunter Valley institution.

Whether you’re a wine and cheese buff, or more of an animal lover or garden enthusiast, don’t let your time in Newcastle go by without a trip up to the Hunter Valley. It’s less than an hour away, with lots to see and do – and taste!

Staying at NewSA and have an idea for an outing? Have a chat to our team – we’d love to help!

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