Accessibility

Overview

Welcome to New Annual! We are committed to sharing groundbreaking contemporary art, dance, theatre, music, and experiences with everyone across Newcastle.

Each New Annual event is held at different venues across the city and presented by a diverse range of companies. Accessibility services, facilities, and physical layouts vary significantly between locations. We strongly encourage you to check the individual event listing and venue profile when planning your visit.

Date: Friday 25 September – Sunday 4 October 2026
Location: Vibrant mix of historic indoor theatres, contemporary galleries, and open-air public spaces across Newcastle (including Civic Precinct, Newcastle Museum, Museum Park, Foreshore, and beaches).
Ticketing Contact: Email: [email protected] | Phone: (02) 4929 1977 | National Relay Service (NRS) welcomed.
Feedback: We recognise that creating an accessible event is an ongoing journey. We update our site layout, training, and services annually based directly on customer feedback. If you have suggestions, experienced a barrier, or want to highlight an outstanding accessibility service, please email us at [email protected] or call (02) 4929 1977.

Important Information for Festival Patrons
Each New Annual event is held at different venues across the city and presented by a diverse range of companies. Accessibility services, facilities, and physical layouts vary significantly between locations.
We strongly encourage you to check the individual event listing and venue profile when planning your visit. If you have specific accessibility needs, questions, or require assistance with your booking, please reach out to the New Annual event and ticketing team at (02) 4929 1977 or email [email protected] 

Accessibility Guide
Downloadable Accessibility Guide coming soon. 

Companion Cards
New Annual proudly supports the NSW Companion Card program.
Holders of a valid Companion Card are eligible for a second, complimentary ticket for their companion to all ticketed festival events.
How to Book: To ensure your seats are allocated together, Companion Card bookings must be made directly through our ticketing team by calling (02) 4929 1977 or emailing [email protected]
Please have your Companion Card number ready at the time of booking.

Companion Tickets

Free companion tickets are available for all shows, and can be booked over the phone or in person from the Civic Theatre Box Office on Hunter St.

Companion Tickets

Free companion tickets are available for all shows, and can be booked over the phone or in person from the Civic Theatre Box Office on Hunter St.

164 Hunter St

Address: 164 Hunter St Newcastle NSW 2300

Transport: Newcastle Interchange 2 km. Light Rail
Venue Accessibility: Wheelchair access
Seating: N/A, not a seated exhibition
Amenities: Yes

City Hall

Address: 290 King St, Newcastle NSW 2300

Transport: https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/city-hall/visit-us/accessibility
Venue Accessibility: Lift in eastern end of venue. All levels accessible
Seating: All Levels Accessible
Amenities: Yes
Contact for Assistance: If you require assistance when you are in the building, please call one of the building Commissionaires on 4974 2950. 

Our Ticket Office team members can assist allocate accessible tickets please call them on 4929 1977 to discuss.  Please let us know your requirements when booking tickets by phone. 

Civic Park

Address: Civic Park, King St, Newcastle NSW 2300

Transport: Accessible parking on King Street & Darby Street
Venue Accessibility: Accessible along paths or across grass in park
Seating: N/A
Amenities: Yes
Contact for Assistance: 4974 2000

Civic Theatre Playhouse

Address: 375 Hunter St, Newcastle NSW 2300

Transport: https://www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/visit/location-and-parking
Venue Accessibility: Accessible lift on entry, east of main stairwell
Accessible Seating: Yes
Amenities: Foyer Level
Captioning & Subtitles: N/A
Contact for Assistance: If you require assistance when you are in the building, please call one of the building Commissionaires on 4974 2950.

Our Ticket Office team members can assist allocate accessible tickets please call them on 4929 1977 to discuss.  Please let us know your requirements when booking tickets by phone. 

Civic Theatre

Address: 375 Hunter St, Newcastle NSW 2300

Transport: https://www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/visit/location-and-parking 
Venue Accessibility: Wheelchair access stalls only (ground floor)
Accessible seating: Stalls only (ground floor)
Amenities: Ground floor only
Captioning & subtitles: Select performances only
Hearing assistance / loop: Yes
Contact for assistance: If you require assistance when you are in the building, please call one of the building Commissionaires on 4974 2950.

Our Ticket Office team members can assist allocate accessible tickets please call them on 4929 1977 to discuss.  Please let us know your requirements when booking tickets by phone.

Conservatorium of Music

Address: Cnr Laman Street, Auckland St, Newcastle NSW 2300

Transport:  https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/city-hall/visit-us/accessibility
Venue Accessibility: Wheelchair access via ramp access
Accessible Seating: Yes
Amenities: Yes. Bathrooms located on the ground floor with access from the corner of Laman and Auckland streets.
Contact for assistance: For assistance please email [email protected] or contact the Events and Activities Co-ordinator on 4921 5133.

Kaleidoscope Civic Park

 

Address: Civic Park, King St, Newcastle NSW 2300

Transport: Accessible parking on King Street & Darby Street
Venue Accessibility:
 The Kaleidoscope is wheelchair accessible, suitable for all ages and dog friendly.
Amenities:  Yes at Civic Park
Captioning & Subtitles: N/A
Contact for Assistance: Front of House staff are always on duty to assist patrons when and where required. 

Museum Park

Address: 6 Workshop Way, Newcastle NSW 2300

Transport: https://www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/visit/getting-here
Venue: Fully Accessible – BHP space has stairs but is accessible by ramps
Seating: Yes
Amenities: Accessible toilets on site as well as baby change rooms
Contact for Assistance: Newcastle Museum 4974 1401

Spiegeltent Civic Park

Address: Civic Park, King St, Newcastle NSW 2300


Transport: Accessible parking on King Street & Darby Street
Accessible Seating: In the Spiegeltent, the General Admission seating is wheelchair accessible.  If you require a space reserved for a wheelchair or other mobility device, please email [email protected] with your full booking details after you have booked. 
Amenities: Yes
Captioning & Subtitles: N/A
Contact for Assistance: If you require assistance when you are in the venue, please get in touch with Front of House staff.

Watt Space Gallery

Address: 20 Auckland St, Newcastle NSW 2300

Transport: Located within 20 metres from King Street bus stops and one short block from the Civic light rail
Venue Accessibility: Wheelchair access
Seating: Available if required
Amenities: Yes
Contact for assistance: 0423 103 740 or Campus security 4921 5888

Wheeler Place

Address: Wheeler Place, outside Civic Theatre, 375 Hunter St Newcastle NSW 2300 

Transport: Light rail stop on Hunter Street. Accessible parking on King Street
Venue: Fully Accessible
Seating: NA
Amenities: Accessible via Civic Theatre
Contact for Assistance: 4974 2166