Conference registration
Our 2026 Event
Central Hub | Muloobinba - Newcastle
The 7th Australasian Young Coastal Scientist & Engineers Conference 2026 Central Hub Venue is the Newcastle Museum.
Awabakal and Worimi Country
Muloobinba/Newcastle NSW
Our central conference hub is the Newcastle Museum, located on Awabakal and Worimi land in the heart of Newcastle and just moments from the Honeysuckle harbour precinct. The venue is surrounded by cafés, restaurants, bars, and waterfront spaces, making it an ideal base for connecting with fellow delegates.
You’ll also be close to some of Newcastle’s most iconic coastal landmarks, including Newcastle Beach, Nobbys Beach, the Nobbys Breakwall and Lighthouse, and historic Fort Scratchley.
The Museum is fully accessible, with all conference spaces located on a single level and opening directly onto a courtyard and grassed outdoor area.
General entry to the Museum is free, and attendees are welcome to explore its exhibitions during their visit. These displays span the region’s natural environment, early Aboriginal life, and Newcastle’s rich industrial and cultural history.
Getting to the venue is simple: a light rail stop sits directly adjacent to the venue at Civic, providing quick connections to the Newcastle Interchange and onward travel to Newcastle Beach. Additional bus and public transport options are also available!
Central Hub Field Trip Information
Overview
Join us for this year’s conference Central Hub fieldtrip, a guided walking tour across the harbour to Stockton Beach!
Stockton Beach has a long history of coastal erosion that has threatened private and public assets and degraded usability of the beach. Over the past several decades, management strategies have included construction of coastal protection structures, temporary and emergency works, and small-scale beach nourishment.
This field trip will introduce participants to the mass sand nourishment project now underway at Stockton, which aims to protect coastal assets and improve beach usability.
Speakers from City of Newcastle Council and the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) will outline drivers and history of coastal erosion at Stockton, the technical basis for mass sand nourishment as the preferred management strategy, current project progress, and the challenges of delivering large-scale sand nourishment NSW. They will also outline how the project aligns with the broader coastal management strategy identified in the Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) 2025.
Stockton Beach amenity nourishment, 2023. Photo credit: Chris Drummond/DCCEEW
This year’s field trip is proudly sponsored by Bluecoast Consulting Engineers. Participants will also hear from Bluecoast about their contributions to the Stockton Coastal Management Program and their technical work supporting the mass sand nourishment project currently underway.
Field Trip Speakers
Casey Johnston, Principal Project Officer (Stockton) – NSW DCCEEW
Casey Johnston is the Principal Project Officer leading the Stockton Beach Mass Sand Nourishment Project for DCCEEW. She has over 15 years’ experience across private, local and state government sectors. Casey has worked on maintenance and capital dredging programs, served as Project Manager for the Wamberal Beach Seawall and part of the project team that developed Central Coast Councils – Open Coast Coastal Management Program. Casey enjoys working on complex projects in dynamic coastal environments.
Neil Kelleher, Senior Team Leader Coast Estuary and Flood (Hunter Central Coast – NSW DCCEEW
Neil Kelleher is a Senior Team Leader for Coast Estuary and Flood with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, based in the Hunter–Central Coast region. A civil engineer with extensive experience in coastal and estuarine management, Neil works closely with councils and stakeholders on coastal hazards, flood risk, and resilience planning across regional NSW. Neil and his team helped lay the foundations for the Stockton mass sand nourishment project, preparing the background work that supported the successful funding and environmental approval of the project.
Philippa Hill, Environmental Strategy Manager – City of Newcastle Council
Philippa Hill is an Environmental Strategy Manager for the City of Newcastle, with extensive experience in coastal management. She played a key role in the development of the Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP), working closely with community, technical experts, and government stakeholders to navigate the complex coastal challenges and determine the most feasible, viable and acceptable management solution. She is passionate about integrating technical evidence with community values to deliver resilient, long-term outcomes for vulnerable coastlines. On this field trip, Philippa will share insights into the Councils and the community’s journey to develop the Stockton CMP highlighting the decision-making processes, and the pathway to the selected mass sand nourishment approach.
Logistics
Date and time: Thursday 13 August, 1:45pm – 5:00pm
Field trip meeting point: walk as a group from the conference venue, Newcastle Museum, to Queens Wharf.
Travel: catch the ferry to Stockton, then walk to Stockton Beach (approx. 30 minutes total walking, flat terrain).
Cost: around $2.50 each way. Pay via Opal card or tap-on/tap-off with a Visa card. Student and concession discounts may apply.
Accessibility: flat, paved walking routes and ferry access suitable for most mobility levels.
Stockton Beach Seawall. Photo credit: Ally Suzzi/DCCEEW
About Newcastle - Muloobinba
Newcastle Airport
Newcastle Airport (Williamtown) is located around 25 km north of Newcastle city centre and is easy to access using a range of transport options. Whether you’re arriving from interstate or elsewhere in the region, there are several convenient ways to reach the Central Hub and accommodation areas across Newcastle.
From Newcastle Airport to the City
Taxi, Uber & Rideshare
Taxis and rideshare services (including Uber and Ola) operate directly from Newcastle Airport. Pick‑up zones are clearly signed outside the terminal. Travel time to the city is typically 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic, making this the most convenient option if you’re carrying luggage or arriving outside peak public transport times.
Public Transport
Public buses connect Newcastle Airport to the Newcastle transport network. Services run between the airport and Newcastle Interchange, where you can connect to trains and the Newcastle Light Rail to reach the city centre, beaches, and surrounding suburbs. This option takes longer but is well‑suited for budget‑friendly travel.
Car Hire
Car hire services are available at Newcastle Airport for those planning to explore the region before or after the conference. However, if only coming for the conference, Newcastle has an easy‑to‑navigate transport network, including light rail, trains, buses, cycling paths, and walkable precincts. Many central locations are within short walking distance once you’re in the city.
Uni Budget Friendly Accommodation Options
No one wants to spend an arm and a leg on accommodation when on a tight Uni budget! Newcastle offers plenty of budget‑friendly places to stay, many of which are just a short walk from the conference venue.
Pub accommodation is also a great option and can be an affordable and convenient way to stay close to the action. We’ve listed a few pub options that we’ve heard good things about to help get you started.
If you are travelling in a group, a great option would be to book an Airbnb together and share the costs!
That said, AusYCSEC encourages you to do your own research to find accommodation that best suits your needs, preferences, and budget.
The Oriental Hotel
Offering a restaurant and a bar, The Oriental Hotel is located in Newcastle, 3 minutes’ drive from Bar Beach. All rooms offer a flat-screen TV, bed linen and towels – However, all rooms have a shared bathroom! The Oriental Hotel is 5 minutes’ drive from Nobbys Beach. It is 10 minute walk to the Newcastle Museum. The on-site gourmet pizza restaurant is open daily and offers a bar with 8-beers on tap. The bar also presents regular live music.
The Clarendon Hotel
Set in the CBD, this relaxed redbrick hotel is 2 km from Newcastle Beach, a minute’s walk from Civic light rail station and a 6-minute walk from the popular Newcastle Art Gallery.
Laid-back rooms provide free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minifridges, as well as tea and coffeemaking facilities. Suites add living and dining areas. Upgraded quarters feature balconies.
Budget Friendly Accommodation Options
Holiday Inn Express Newcastle
Located in the vibrant harbour city of Newcastle, NSW, just 5 minutes’ walk from the Newcastle Muesum. Holiday Inn Express offers free Wi‑Fi and a complimentary Express Start breakfast. Rooms include air‑conditioning, blackout blinds, a safe, private bathroom, flat‑screen TV, and convenient amenities such as a mini fridge and tea/coffee facilities.
ibis Newcastle
Located in Newcastle’s Honeysuckle Precinct, ibis Newcastle offers comfortable, air‑conditioned rooms with flat‑screen TVs, free Wi‑Fi, and 24‑hour reception. The hotel is 200 metres from Wickham Railway Station and a 5‑minute walk to the Newcastle Museum. Guests can enjoy 24‑hour dining at iBistro or relax at iBar, featuring local Hunter Valley wines and beers.
Work Accommodation Options
Rydges Newcastle
Rydges Newcastle is located in the heart of Newcastle offering waterside accommodation close to dining, bars, and the city’s main attractions. Many rooms feature harbour views, and guests can enjoy facilities including an outdoor pool, on‑site restaurant (Wharf 350), and a modern bar. With easy access to the foreshore, beaches, and cultural attractions, Rydges Newcastle is well suited to conference delegates seeking comfortable accommodation close to the venue and Newcastle’s city centre.
Novatel Newcastle Beach
Novotel Newcastle Beach is located just steps from Newcastle Beach and the city centre, offering modern accommodation with ocean or city views. The hotel features comfortable, air‑conditioned rooms, free Wi‑Fi, an on‑site restaurant and bar, and leisure facilities including a pool and fitness centre. With easy access to the foreshore, beaches, dining precincts and public transport, Novotel Newcastle Beach is a convenient option for conference delegates.