Take Your Kids to Experience Supercars at the Thrifty Newcastle 500

Experience the thrill and excitement of Supercars with your family! Whether you’re die-hard Supercars fans or are yet to experience a day at the track, get ready for the Thrifty Newcastle 500. It’s back again in 2023 running from Friday 10 March to Sunday 12 March. It’s going to be a fun action-filled weekend for you and your kids.

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship hits the streets of Newcastle, launching the season with the next generation of Supercars making their much-anticipated debut! It’s Camaro vs Mustang on track for the first time, marking the start of a new era for the sport.

Nestled between the city and the surf, the Thrifty Newcastle 500 event promises to be a sporting spectacle like no other! From 10 – 12 March, the streets and beaches will come alive with three days of full throttle entertainment.

Enjoy all the noise, action and excitement of Supercars with your kids. Here are some tips to have a super day out with your family at the Thrifty Newcastle 500.

How much does it cost for kids to attend the Thrifty Newcastle 500?

Kids 12 and under receive free General Admission admission with a paying adult. You can purchase Thrifty Newcastle 500 tickets via Ticketek. This ticket allows you to make your way around to the many viewing points of this scenic street circuit at your own pace.

What’s the best way to get to the Thrifty Newcastle 500?

Use public transportation to get to the race. There will be lots of extra services to manage the crowds. Your ticket includes free travel on public transport. Buses, ferries and trains heading into Newcastle are free for ticket holders across all 3 days. That even includes return trains from Sydney. A train will get you to Newcastle Interchange. You can then hop on the light rail to get to Supercars. The Stockton ferry goes from Stockton to Queens Wharf. From there, it’s a short walk to the race precinct.

What should our family bring to the Thrifty Newcastle 500?

• Bring something to sit on – Chairs, blankets and strollers are allowed at Thrifty Newcastle 500.
• Pack noise protection – You’ll notice the noise as soon as you get there as the Supercars are loud. It’s sure to get your heart pumping. (Use kids-sized ear protection for kids. Make sure they fit properly and are comfortable so that they keep them on. We saw plenty of kids at the last Supercars event wearing earmuffs).
• Bring hats and sunscreen – Wear hats and sunscreen and try to find shade where you can. Trackside is pretty exposed so there’s not too much shade.
• Bring your own food and drinks – Save money and time by bringing your own snacks and drinks. Just note, that you can’t bring in glass bottles. Although you can buy food and drinks at Thrifty Newcastle 500, the lines can be long and in previous years, a few places did run out of food and drinks. Pack lots of water or buy from kiosks to stay hydrated. Early March can still be hot in Newcastle. If you do need to do a shop, you can visit the Food Works on Scott Street just immediately outside of the Supercars area. However, note that their food stocks can run low. Rumour has it, that they sold out of ice cream during the last Supercars event.
• Bring a reusable plastic or steel bottle (not glass) – Hunter Water will be providing free water at their bottle refill stations inside the Supercars precinct.
• Bring your swimmers – Yes, that’s right. You can watch the races and then go for a swim at Newcastle Beach. You’ll just have to go through the pedestrian tunnel by Newcastle Beach to exit. Remember to bring your tickets so you can get back in.

Where’s the best spot for families to watch the action of the Thrifty Newcastle 500?

Two options: Find a spot trackside to see the cars winding around Newcastle city, foreshore and beaches. Or if it’s too crowded and kids can’t see, find a spot near one of the big screens to see all of the action up close.

Situate yourself in close distance to toilets or porta toilets if your kids have a small bladder.

If you feel like a view to see all the action, head up to the hill above the race track.

What kids activities will there be at Thrifty Newcastle 500?

Kids will enjoy the Supercars SuperKids Zone. The Zone is a fully fenced and secure area designed exclusively for parents and little people to relax, play, and test their racing abilities.

Kids can get active on the Inflatable Race Track, check their speed and reaction skills at the Fast Fan Challenge or test their tyre changing skills on one of our table top fun games.

What other activities are on in conjunction with Thrifty Newcastle 500?

Thrifty Newcastle 500 Driver Signing Event in Hamilton

Head to Gregson Park in Hamilton to meet all 25 Newcastle 500 Supercar champions and get their autograph on Thursday 9 March from 4.30pm to 7pm at a Driver Signing Event

Admire the pristine display of cars from Newy Car Club members before checking out the official merch for sale at the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre pop-up shop.

Food trucks on site include Crafty Pit , WRHS BBQ, Barista Gals, Lulus Gelato and Sno Cones, or why not grab some takeaway from nearby Beaumont Street and settle in for evening picnic amongst the buzz.

Kids will have fun pretending they’re behind the wheel on the free mechanical car ride, before the Drivers arrive for the official signing session at 5pm.

Keep an eye out for Triple M as they stop in to report on the action with a live cross and giveaways!

FREE Community Fun Day – Saturday 11 March & Sunday 12 March at Civic Park

Head to Civic Park for a weekend of family fun from 11am – 3pm on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March with activities organised by City of Newcastle.

Both days will feature FREE activities all day, including toddler messy play stations hosted by the Creative Co, where little hands can engage in play concepts such as play dough, painting, goop, slime, water play and sensory textures.

Food vendors will be on-site for you to get a sweet fix, coffee hit or tasty snack, or you can bring a picnic from home or takeaway from one of the many local cafes and restaurants along Darby St and the Civic Centre, allowing you to make a day of it and soak up the fun atmosphere.

Thrifty Newcastle 500 Concerts – Friday 10 March & Saturday 11 March at Foreshore Park

Fans will be treated to two huge nights of entertainment with a record number of artists forming the lineup for the 2023 Thrifty Newcastle 500 at Foreshore Park. Concert access is included in all same day event tickets.

Icehouse will headline the opening night of entertainment on Friday 10 March, supported by enigmatic Noiseworks frontman Jon Stevens and The Screaming Jets.

Aussie hip hop royalty Hilltop Hoods will headline the Saturday night concert supported by some of the best young acts in the country, Thelma Plum, San Cisco, Newcastle’s Trophy Eyes and Trials [DJ sets].

For more information about the Newcastle 500 concert visit the concert information on the Supercars website. For more information about the Thrifty Newcastle 500, visit the Supercars website or purchase tickets via Ticketek.

Win a Family Pass to Thrifty Newcastle 500 (COMPETITION NOW CLOSED & WINNER CHOSEN)

To celebrate this event, Newy with Kids has partnered up with Supercars to give away a Family Passes (2 Adult + 2 Children) to the Thrifty Newcastle 500 (valued at $528)

Congratulations: K. BRIDGE

• The name of the promotion is Newy with Kids Thrifty Newcastle 500 Giveaway
• The promoter is Newy with Kids in conjunction with Supercars.
• The conditions of entry are: answer the question provided, one entry per person, contact details must be provided in the form.
• Employees, immediate family members, retailers, suppliers, associated companies and agencies are not eligible to enter.
• Competition opens Tuesday 14 February 2023 and will close on Sunday 26 February 2023 at midnight (Newcastle time). Comments submitted after this time will not be considered for the giveaway.
• The entry mechanism is via 30 words or less and is a game of skill. The most creative answer will win. The winner will be awarded based on the strength of their creative answer to the question “Why do you want to take your family to the 2023 Thrifty Newcastle 500?”
• The prize is a Family Pass to the 2023 Thrifty Newcastle 500 .
• The results of the giveaway will be published on this site on Tuesday 28 February 2023. Winner will be notified via email.
• Prizes are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable. The total prize value is valued at $528.
• Judging will be done by Newy with Kids. Judge’s decision is final.
• The competition is open to Australian residents only.
• If for any reason beyond the Promoter’s control the agreed prize is not available a product of equal or greater value will be provided.