Hop on, hop off – Newcastle's new free night shuttle is here

Getting around Newcastle at night just got a whole lot easier, with the arrival of Night Hop, a free shuttle bus connecting some of the city's favourite dining, drinking and entertainment precincts.

Whether you're heading out for dinner, catching a movie, meeting friends for a drink or making a night of it, Night Hop is taking the hassle out of getting from one end of the city to the other.

And the best part? It's completely free.

Running every Friday and Saturday from 6pm to 11pm, Night Hop loops through Newcastle East, Newcastle West, the City Centre, Darby Street and Honeysuckle, with 12 stops along the way.

No tickets, no tapping on and no need to commit to staying in one spot all night. Simply hop on, hop off and see where the evening takes you.

With the Newcastle CBD now loaded with bars, restaurants and entertainment options, getting between them hasn’t been convenient, particularly when your dinner plans turn into a few drinks somewhere else.

That's where Night Hop comes in.

Start your evening with dinner on Darby Street, head into the city for a movie at Tower Cinemas, then make your way to Honeysuckle for a waterfront nightcap – all without needing to move the car.

Staying overnight and keen to explore the city? Night Hop makes it easy to discover different pockets of the city without having to catch an uber, or walk. 

The route takes in key locations including Newcastle Beach, the East End, Tower Cinemas, Darby Street, Newcastle West and Honeysuckle, connecting some of the city's busiest hospitality and entertainment areas.

How does Night Hop work?

It's about as straightforward as public transport gets.

The shuttle operates on a continuous loop, with 12 designated stops across the city. Find your nearest stop, jump aboard and get off wherever suits.

You can ride as many times as you like throughout the evening, making it ideal for those nights when plans have a habit of changing.

There's also a live bus tracker available, so you can check where the shuttle is before heading to your stop.

Beyond making life easier for locals, Night Hop is a welcome addition for visitors wanting to experience Newcastle after dark.

With so many restaurants, small bars, pubs, hotels and entertainment venues spread across the city, the free service makes exploring Newcastle's nightlife that little bit more accessible.

So next time you're planning a Friday or Saturday night out, leave the car parked and let Night Hop do the moving.

Night Hop operates every Friday and Saturday, 6pm–11pm, with 12 stops across Newcastle. The service is completely free, with unlimited hop-on, hop-off rides.

This article was produced by HUNTERhunter in partnership with Newcastle East 2300. Thank you for supporting the partners who make our work possible.