Motorists and public transport passengers are being urged to plan ahead for road closures, a changed bus terminus and busy conditions around Newcastle’s east end as the Strummingbird country music festival takes over Foreshore Park on Saturday 17 October.
The festival runs from noon to 11pm, with Tyler Childers and Bailey Zimmerman among the headline acts. Extra trains and more frequent light rail services will help move crowds, while organisers say there will be no event-day parking.
Some restrictions are already in place. City of Newcastle has approved the closure of Wharf Road between Watt Street and Nobbys Road from 5am on Thursday 15 October until 7pm on Monday 19 October, covering the festival’s setup and pack-down.
Live Traffic NSW warns that roads approaching Newcastle Foreshore will be busier than usual as festivalgoers arrive and leave. Drivers should allow extra time, use the signposted diversions and watch for increased pedestrian activity.
| Road | Closure | When | Detour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wharf Road | Both directions between Watt Street and Nobbys Road | 5am Thursday 15 October to 7pm Monday 19 October | Follow local traffic controls |
| Hunter Street | Eastbound between Darby Street and Watt Street | 10am to midnight, Saturday 17 October | Darby Street and King Street |
| Scott Street | Westbound between Zaara Street and Pacific Street | 9.30pm to midnight, Saturday 17 October | Zaara Street, Shortland Esplanade and King Street |
Live Traffic also lists local closures affecting Watt Street, Nobbys Road, Pasha Way and Horseshoe Beach Road. The festival’s transport guide additionally lists Bond Street. Individual closure times for these streets are not specified in those notices.
People being dropped off or collected by car, taxi or rideshare are directed to the designated area on Wharf Road just before the Watt Street roundabout. Organisers are asking drivers to use that location to help manage congestion and keep pedestrians safe.
Newcastle Transport is encouraging attendees to leave their cars at home. Its event advice says light rail will run every 7.5 minutes from 11am until midnight on Saturday, then every 30 minutes until 1am on Sunday.
The festival’s own travel guide recommends Newcastle Beach light rail stop for access to the event and the return journey. Passengers arriving by train can change to light rail at Newcastle Interchange.
Bus routes 11, 13, 14, 21 and 23 will operate to a Saturday timetable. However, from noon until the end of service, Route 23 buses will start and finish at Customs House, changing the eastern end of the Wallsend–Newcastle East service.
Ferries between Stockton and Queens Wharf will operate to their regular Saturday timetable. Passengers should check their return connections before setting out, particularly if staying until the festival finishes.
Transport for NSW has also listed additional Hunter Line and Central Coast services for the event.
| Service | Saturday 17 October departures | Sunday 18 October departures |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter Line from Maitland towards Newcastle | 11.33am, 12.33pm, 1.33pm, 2.33pm and 3.33pm | — |
| Hunter Line from Newcastle Interchange | 10.19pm, 10.49pm, 11.09pm and 11.59pm | 12.39am |
| Newcastle Interchange to Gosford, all stations | 10.40pm and 11.10pm | 12.10am |
These are the additional departures listed for the festival, rather than the full timetable. Travellers should use the Transport for NSW Trip Planner to check their station, stopping pattern and connections.
Passengers will need an Opal card or an accepted contactless payment card or device for public transport, tapping on and off as usual.
On stage, Strummingbird’s Newcastle line-up also includes Cooper Alan, James Johnston, Brad Cox, Cam, Stella Lefty, Dexter & the Moonrocks, Kaitlin Butts, Sons of the East, Max Jackson, Sara Berki and Loren Ryan.
The published schedule has Bailey Zimmerman performing on the Wildwing Stage from 8.05pm to 9.05pm, followed by Tyler Childers from 9.35pm to 10.50pm. The full set times and event map are available below.
The event also offers line dancing, food, bars and market stalls, with a dedicated family area. It is open to all ages, but anyone aged 17 or younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult under the organiser’s youth policy.
Food trucks and bars will be cashless, and there are no pass-outs, meaning patrons cannot leave and re-enter. Empty reusable plastic water bottles are permitted, with free water refill stations inside the venue.
Festival information and ticket links are available through the official Strummingbird Newcastle website. Motorists and passengers should check Live Traffic NSW and Newcastle Transport for updates before travelling.
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