Apollo International Hotel - Newcastle Accommodation

Whale Watching Around Newcastle

It's whale watching season! Newcastle is a great place to spot whales between May to November each year as the east coast of Australia becomes a humpback highway. They start by heading north to give birth and then make their way back down to Antarctica with their calves.

They can easily be spotted, even from the beach, if you know what to look for. We recommend finding a high vantage point where you can sit and spend time looking for the tell-tale spouts of water rising up from the ocean, or great big splashes as they flap their tails or fins.

Places like the Anzac memorial walk at Bar Beach, Redhead bluff and Boat Harbour in Port Stephens offer great views over the ocean so bring your binoculars and settle in for some whale spotting.

You can also get even closer by going on a whale watch cruise. There are some that depart from Newcastle Harbour as well as from Port Stephens, around 1 hour's drive from Charlestown.

Newy With Kids has a great post all about where to see whales across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens. Follow the link to find out more.

Traveller's Choice Award Winners 2022

Best Western Apollo International just received the Trip Advisor's Traveller's Choice Award for 2022. That means we're in the top 10% of hotels worldwide... again!

It's reassuring for our guests to know that many travellers before them have highly rated their stay at Best Western Plus Apollo International and they've shared their positive experiences online to help you make an informed choice about your accommodation.

Reviews like these show that we put our guest's comfort and needs as our number one priority and we continually strive for improvement.

"From the moment we walked in the foyer a first class experience begun. We could not fault a thing, staff friendly and accomodating, room clean and comfortable, dining was top hat quality, we would highly recommend the Apollo." Trip Advisor review, 20/4/22

"I had the pleasure of spending a night at the Apollo with a friend. As soon as we entered we were greeted with a friendly smile. The room was smart and well appointed with a balcony looking out on beautiful trees. It felt so relaxing and quiet. We had dinner in the restaurant and loved the food, plentiful and absolutely delicious. Do order dessert!! And, I believe breakfast is also worth staying for! I highly recommend the Apollo and will definitely stay there again." Trip Advisor review, 3/3/22

Thanks to all the wonderful guests who've written such great reviews and helped us maintain our world-class reputation. We look forward to continuing to keep our guests happy and constantly raising the bar to go above and beyond their expectations.

Fast & Loud Festival

A new event is coming to Lake Macquarie this May and it's going to be very loud and very fast!

It's a perfect event for thrill seekers, motor enthusiasts, music lovers and anyone who enjoys a bit of action and excitement.

The event will take place over two weekends from the 13th-22nd of May and includes several different activities including the Superboats Championship, Powerboats Championship, Vintage Car show, an air show and musical performances. Some events are ticketed and some are totally free!

There's options for the whole family to enjoy so follow the link for more information and don't forget to add them to your calendar!

6 Ideas to Help You Spend Your NSW Parents and Stay Vouchers

NOW ACCEPTING NSW PARENTS AND STAY VOUCHERS

Did you apply for your NSW Parents and Stay vouchers yet? It's a great incentive for NSW residents to get out and about and experience some of the amazing attractions NSW has to offer, and we've got some great ideas to help you use them!

Girl's weekend away:

Get together with your girlfriends and plan a weekend away from partners and kids to relax, refresh and recharge. The Apollo has a range of rooms in a peaceful bushland setting, perfect for lazing by the pool with a cocktail in hand, laughing with your besties. And it's just a short drive to bars, restaurants, beaches and shopping to make your weekend complete.

Romantic couple's night:

Every couple deserves time out! Spend your parents vouchers on yourselves and let the kids enjoy a weekend with the grandparents while you indulge in a spa suite at the Apollo. We've got a great room service menu, plus an extensive wine and cocktail list so you never even need to leave your room. And for those of you who can't leave the babies behind, cots are available at no extra charge.

Family weekend away:

The Apollo International is a great venue for families with it's large family rooms, fabulous pool and close proximity to all the fabulous family friendly attractions Newcastle and Lake Macquarie have to offer.

Mother's Day:

Gift Mum what she really wants this Mother's Day with a night away on her own! She deserves a quiet night in a spacious, comfy room overlooking the gorgeous bushlands and gardens. We guarantee she won't be disturbed all night with our comfortable beds and quiet surroundings.

Easter Weekend:

Use the NSW Parents or Stay vouchers to help pay for your Easter long weekend getaway! It's a great opportunity to get away from work for 4 whole days and get some R&R. A few days stay in one of our luxurious rooms might just be the mini break you need!

School Holidays:

Both the NSW Stay and Parents vouchers have an expiry date of the 9th of October which means you've got 3 lots of school holidays to use them in! Take your pick between the April, June or September holidays to use the vouchers on accomodation or family friendly activities.

The Apollo is all set up and ready to redeem your vouchers for accomodation and even food and beverages charges during your stay. We've got a great reception team ready to quote you for any of the options above and answer all your questions. Book directly by calling 02 49436733 and they'll be happy to help!

Autumn Events in Newcastle

What's On In Newcastle this Autumn

As the weather starts to cool off the events start coming in! It's a jam-packed season in Newcastle with events of every kind popping up all around the region.

On the first weekend in March the Newcastle Show will be returning to the showgrounds in Broadmeadow with the usual lineup of carnival rides, showbags, arts and crafts, food, animals, competitions and live performances. Find out more on their official website here.

Also coming up in March & April is:

Newcastle Live is a great source of information for all types of activities from live music to family-friendly festivals, so be sure to bookmark the page so you can always find something to do.

Adventures in Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie is the place for adventure!

It's the Southern Hemisphere's largest coastal lake and it's surrounded by stunning beaches and natural bushland. It's also just up the road from Newcastle, the second biggest city in NSW and home to exciting events such as Surfest and Repco Newcastle 500 Super Cars Championship.

It's rugged coastal landscape is the perfect place for adventure and exploration! Just off the coast is the "Humpback Highway", where whales can be seen as they migrate north to warmer waters from June-November every year. They can be seen from many vantage points along the coast line, or you can take a tour with a whale watching operator such as CoastXP who offer tours leaving from Honeysuckle.

All year round they also have a bunch more tours to choose from, such as dolphin watching, hiking treks and even scenic flights. CoastXP can take you to some of the most remote and little known secret hideaways around the lake that will make you feel like you're much further away from the city than you really are!

For the super brave there is a sky diving academy located in Marks Point just 20 minutes from Charlestown. Find out more about their packages here.

If you're looking for an adventure to suit the whole family then Treetop Adventure Park have lots to do at both the Newcastle and Central Coast locations. They've got courses for everyone, from toddlers to grown-ups!

Visit Lake Macquarie have a comprehensive list of adventurous activities in Lake Macquarie so click the button below to find even more amazing things to do in this beautiful region.

Photo Courtesy of CoastXP and Destination NSW

Local Shopping & Markets

Shopping in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle is a delight for shoppers of every kind!

We've got big shopping centres full of all the stores you know and love, as well as boutiques and artisan wares for those with very particular tastes. And there are no shortage of markets for fresh food and quirky handmade products all year round.

The Apollo is only a short drive from the region's largest shopping complex, Charlestown Square. It's not just a shopping centre but a full entertainment venue for kids and adults of all ages. It boasts a range of dining options from a la`carte to takeaway, as well as bowling, mini golf, Timezone and a large cinema with a great selection of movies. Check out their website here.

Boutiques abound in nearby areas such as The Junction, Warners Bay and inner-city Newcastle.

For lovers of eclectic vintage, second-hand or handmade pieces, check our Islington and Hamilton and shops such as Stoned Saint Moon and Planet Islington.

And don't forget the amazing array of markets that Newcastle and Lake Macquarie provide all year round. You can find a whole list here on Newcastle Live or check out a few of our favourites.

The Olive Tree Markets

Newcastle Farmers Markets

Lake Macquarie Farmers Markets

Newcastle Food and Flower Markets

Homegrown Markets

You can find out more about shopping in Newcastle and surrounds on the comprehensive Hunter Hunter website via the link below.

Happy shopping!

School Holidays in Lake Macquarie

Entertain the kids these holidays in Lake Macquarie.

Holiday time means kids are home from school and you need to find ways to keep them happy and entertained. Lucky we are surrounded by incredible beaches and a stunning lake and we've got a wide variety of activities available in Newcastle, the Hunter and Lake Macquarie.

There's no shortage of things to do these holidays and we've got a few suggestions to keep everyone in your household happy.

Even in Autumn the weather is warm enough for a paddle on the beach or some great sand-castle building. Check out this list of Lake Macquarie beaches here.

It's a perfect time of year for getting out in nature and we suggest going for a bushwalk or cycle amongst these beautiful nature trails.

Grab an entertainment pass from Charlestown Square so the kids can have some indoor fun these holidays. View the deal here.

Hunter Hunter have a great list of holiday activities for the whole region, so follow the link below to check them out.

Image courtesy of Destination NSW.

Lake Macquarie Sailing tours

Lake Macquarie Sailing tours are a small, family-run business on beautiful Lake Macquarie.

The yacht is a 28 foot Cole that is AMSA licenced to accept up to four guests, with 1-2 crew members, making for a relaxed day on the water.

Tours run year-round with Morning and Afternoon Tour options. Tours are perfect for small groups, couples, families and special events or functions.

What we’re doing to help keep you Covid SAFE

What We're Doing to Keep you Covid Safe

Noting that the news is dominated by Coronavirus, we want to assure you that we have implemented increased guest room and hotel common area cleaning protocols and processes. Your health, welfare and safety are paramount when you stay at Best Western PLUS Apollo International Hotel.

We are closely monitoring the guidance of the World Health Organisation and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the virus. Our focus is to ensure we meet your needs while doing our part to keep you, our employees, and our communities safe.

Here are some highlights:

We have enhanced techniques used to clean guest rooms after each stay. We are paying particular attention to high-touch point areas, to include key-cards, public area computers, elevator doors and buttons, door handles, locks and latches, light switches, desk surfaces, telephones, television remote controls, and bathroom fixture handles.
We have heightened hospital-grade sanitising attention to our common areas, such as the front desk, restaurant, hotel furniture, service items, and fitness centre equipment.

In addition, we are taking steps to ensure the welfare of our employees. This includes:

If they are not feeling well or an immediate family is not feeling well, we ask that they stay home to avoid passing it to others.
Keep their hands clean and wash their hands properly, We ask that they use hospital-grade hand sanitiser whenever possible.
Regularly wiping down and sanitising their workspace.
Importantly, if they have flu-like symptoms, they are advised to consult a doctor and seek medical care.
All 0ur staff are double vaccinated.

We reassure you that we are taking every reasonable precaution to promote a safe and healthy environment.

Blackbutt Nature Reserve

Blackbutt Reserve

This amazing reserve is only minutes from The Apollo hotel and occupies over 182 hectares of natural bushland providing visitors with the opportunity to enjoy nature trails, wildlife exhibits, children's playgrounds or passive recreation. The Reserve's undulating natural environment is the perfect place to explore the wonders of nature with its peaceful picnic settings, wide open spaces and the diverse range of habitats and ecosystems.

The modern and spacious wildlife exhibits provide close viewing of the various native animals on display. The exhibited animals and interpretative signage located along the boardwalk (both wheelchair and pram friendly) provide an opportunity for visitors to observe the fauna and learn about each species.

Comprising Eucalyptus Forest and pockets of significant remnant vegetation, Blackbutt Reserve boasts a restored rainforest providing habitats for a number of rare and vulnerable species.

Doing our part for the Environment

The Apollo International is proud to be doing our part for the environment!

Generating electricity from 242 solar panels We have an incredible 83.5 kW System.

Using the sun to generate the majority of our power means less harmful emissions from burning fossil fuels. Certain times of the day our system produces so much power it actually gives electricity back to the grid.

Click below to find out the environmental benefits of our system, The saved Co2 emissions and the equivalent of trees planted.

Nobbys Lighthouse Headland

Nobbys Lighthouse is Open to the public.

Take a stroll along Newcastle harbour breakwall and continue up the hill to Nobbys Lighthouse for breath taking views of our beautiful city! Nobbys Lighthouse is now open for free public access on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month! Best parking is at Nobbys Beach carpark!

Time: 10am - 4pm
Date: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month