The historic Royal Crown Hotel in Dudley has been closed since May 2025 due to severe termite damage. Owner Michael Deer has lodged a DA for a three-stage restoration, aiming to reopen the beloved local in 2026. Read the full story.
Confronting 2025 data reveals Lake Macquarie had the state's second-worst road toll. Speed was the leading killer as NSW lost 355 lives. Read the full analysis and official pleas for safer driving.
Lake Macquarie police fined over 40 out-of-town visitors and made two arrests during a holiday crackdown on illegal fishing and anti-social behaviour on Swansea Bridge.
The Newcastle Herald's Hunter Photography Prize is back for 2026. Amateur photographers in the Hunter Region are invited to submit their best shots for a chance to win major camera gear vouchers. Enter by January 20.
Newcastle and Hunter residents welcomed 2026 with good behaviour, police report. No major incidents marred celebrations, in stark contrast to Sydney's arrests. Read the full report.
Goodlife Church Toronto has lodged a DA to relocate to Grattoir Place, aiming to accommodate its expanding community with Sunday services for up to 100 people.
A key bridge on the Fernleigh Track near Whitebridge has been closed after vandals set it alight, marking the latest in a spate of destructive acts across Lake Macquarie. A detour is in place.
Lake Macquarie City Council navigated a pivotal 2025, marked by a CEO departure, a united front on housing, and emerging political shifts. Read our full review of the year's key events.
NSW Police launch one of their largest annual operations to ensure safety at Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Port Stephens New Year's Eve events. Plan your travel and stay safe.
As Newcastle reviews its public toilets, locals highlight the lack of soap and inadequate facilities for the ageing and disabled. Read why these basic amenities are a public health necessity.
Australian Olympic swimmers Mack Horton and Madi Wilson will take on the iconic Lorne Pier to Pub open water swim in 2026. Discover the details of this exciting sporting crossover.
A 16-year-old from Fassifern has landed a colossal 55cm bream on Christmas Day, believed to be one of the biggest ever caught in Lake Macquarie. Read the full story of this remarkable catch.
A $1 million Lotto prize from a ticket bought at Cameron Park Newsagency is still unclaimed. Meanwhile, a Wyong man wins nearly $1 million. Check your tickets now!
A small fire at The Shed Cafe in Watagan Park Central, Cooranbong, led to a temporary evacuation and closure on Sunday afternoon. Emergency services responded quickly, with no injuries reported.
Speers Point couple Tim Binns and Frances Beaumont forced to retire their yacht Titoki from the Sydney to Hobart due to multiple defects and a battery fire. Read their story and see how other local boats are faring.
Lake Macquarie City Council awards Daracon Group the contract to expand the Awaba Waste Management Facility, adding over a decade of capacity for 220,000 residents. Construction starts 2026.
Delta Electricity faces a $1 million fine after a court found it guilty of causing a 2022 fish kill at Mannering Park. The ruling follows a major EPA prosecution.
A blaze at the popular Dove and Olive pub in Surry Hills forced evacuations and halted light rail services. No injuries reported as firefighters extinguish the roof fire.
A car has crashed into the Royal Hotel in Capertee, NSW, injuring seven patrons. Two seriously injured were airlifted. The driver, 30, has been charged.
Newcastle Herald readers share views on Bondi tragedy heroes, inclusive toilets, climate action, and local parking woes. Read diverse community opinions.
Professional storyteller Jo Henwood captivates audiences at West Wallsend Cemetery, unearthing 130 years of local history. Plus, a national treasure status for Newcastle's maritime collection.
For the first time, endangered Little Terns have nested on Blacksmiths beach near Newcastle. Conservationists hail the milestone and urge beachgoers to protect the fragile site.
A new coastal walkway masterplan is being developed to connect Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast, promising a boost for recreation and tourism. Discover the proposed route and timeline.
Lake Macquarie's historic Awaba House, gutted by fire in 2019, is set to reopen in mid-2026 as a premier dining destination under The Catering Group, promising local food and community focus.
A Barrack Heights man with mental health issues has been sentenced for an Anzac Day pub rampage in East Maitland where he threatened patrons with a weapon. Read the full court details.
Newcastle's nationally significant maritime heritage collection is homeless as its lease expires in March 2026. Councillors clash over accountability and solutions for the 8,500-item cache.
A beloved Townsville institution, The Heritage Exchange, is closing its doors after three decades. Discover the story behind its legacy and what's next for the iconic building.
A 32-year-old Swansea man faces court over allegedly displaying a prohibited Nazi symbol on a boat in a public place. Police seized two vessels during their investigation.
Police are investigating after a 43-year-old man was found dead near Wyee Farms Road at Lake Macquarie. A postmortem will determine the cause of death.
A 42-year-old cyclist has died after a hit-and-run crash at Nords Wharf. Police are appealing for dashcam footage and searching for a black Toyota FJ Cruiser. Contact Crime Stoppers with any information.