Art
A colourful new addition to Newcastle’s arts scene, Alejandro’s invites people to create, connect and feel truly welcome.
People
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Citizen of the Year Awards. It’s your chance to celebrate the people and groups who quietly make Newcastle a better place through care, creativity and dedication.
Culture
Personal stylist and thrifting veteran Joanne Gambale shares her top tips for striking gold at the op shop and consciously curating your wardrobe.
Art
Evolution Advisers is calling on Newcastle artists and designers to create the official t-shirt for the 2026 Surfest Evolution Charity Cup. Celebrating 40 years of Surfest, this year’s event supports Emma’s Warriors - a local charity founded by leukaemia survivor Emma Walsh - with all funds helping families through tough hospital stays.
Food
The team behind two of Newcastle’s most celebrated restaurants, Flotilla and Humbug, is bringing something completely new to the city. Papalote, opening this November in Newcastle West, is a vibrant Mexican restaurant and agave bar from friends and co-owners Eduardo Molina, Michael Portley and Stephanie Wells.
Culture
Built on values of friendship, love, and truth, Newcastle’s FLT Tattoo Studio has spent the past decade creating tattoos, and community, with care. As founder Eddy Lou and her team celebrate ten years, they reflect on what it means to build a feminist, accessible and deeply human creative space.
Culture
Hannah here, your resident Ted Lasso super fan. I was sure season three was the end, but with Jason Sudeikis confirming season four, the obsession lives on. So here’s what we know so far about Ted’s return to Richmond.
Travel
Parenting doesn’t stop when you’re on holiday, it just relocates. In this story, Hannah shares her honest (and slightly sleep-deprived) reflections on family trips over the years: the chaos, the laughter, and the unexpected moments that turn into treasured memories.
People
Newcastle author Natalie Murray returns with her second novel, Lights, Camera, Love - a warm, dance-fuelled romance set against the backdrop of Sydney’s film industry (with a little Hunter Valley magic too). We chat to her about inspiration, character backstories and the importance of writing stories with both light and shadow.
Wellbeing
Have you ever been lured by a brand of skincare purely because it was labelled natural or organic? Secondly, would you feel confident letting a baby taste any of the products currently found in your bathroom cabinet? If you answered yes and then no, you’re on your way to understanding the philosophy behind local certified organic skincare range for mothers and babies, Willow by the Sea.
Wellbeing
Born from a love of surf, coffee and helping people live better lives, Transcend Health is redefining healthcare in Newcastle - one tailored movement at a time.
Food
ACACIA Dining has launched a new evening menu, bringing refined yet approachable dining to a night out in Maitland. Swell chats to owner Reece Hignell to find out more.
Home
Styling a house can be tons of fun but when it comes to interiors, the overwhelm of getting it right is real. Whether you’re giving a room a refresh or turning a brand-new house into a place to call home, we’ve gathered all the expert advice to help make your pad insta-worthy in no time.
Wellbeing
When life throws you a curveball, you don’t have to pretend it’s all okay. From loss to lockdowns, here’s how Swell writer learned to cope, reset, and find new light in everyday life.
Home
In a world of fast furniture and cookie-cutter design, Newcastle maker Reioni Douglas is doing things differently. As the founder of Culture Cush, she designs and handcrafts modular lounges that are made to last - and made to fit your life.
