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Published November 7th 2019
Spend the day at these family friendly venues
Christmas is on its way and it's time to think about what we will all be doing on Christmas Day. Where will you be? Will you be on your own, meeting up with family, or just having a quiet day for two? Christmas is different for everyone, with many people deciding to go out for Christmas lunch or dinner, to take the hassle out of the day. Who wants to wash up on Christmas Day?
See below for 10 venues which will be open on Christmas Day in the Newcastle and Hunter region, serving up traditional fare with all the trimmings. Book in early, however - places always fill up fast! (Noahs on the Beach is already sold out, so get in quick for the rest!)
1/ Honeysuckle Hotel, on the Hunter River, will be hosting a delicious Christmas Day buffet lunch. Seating times are at 12pm, 12.30pm and 1pm. Enjoy their sumptuous lunch and then go for a scenic walk along the Newcastle Foreshore. Price: Waterside Deck Tables - Adult $149, Child (5-10) $49, children under 5 are free. Inside Tables - Adult $139, Child (5-10) $39. See here for details.
2/ Novotel Newcastle Beach will be hosting a Christmas Day lunch in the Morrow Room, with gorgeous views overlooking Newcastle Harbour and across to Stockton Beach. It will be held between 12pm and 3pm, with an extensive buffet menu and a 3 hour beverage package. Price: Adults $180 and special pricing is available for children. See here for details.
3/ Belmont 16's at Lake Macquarie will be having two options on Christmas Day - a traditional 2 Course Christmas Lunch in Sails Eatery or a Banquet Lunch in the Function Suites. Tickets are available online or in person at the Front Desk. Price: 2 Course Lunch - Adults $49, Child $31 (under 12). Banquet Lunch - Adults $135, Child $41 (under 12). See here for details.
4/ Wests Clubs will be having a Christmas Day Buffet Lunch at 4 locations across the city - New Lambton, City, Mayfield and Cardiff. They will also be having it at Wests Diggers at Nelson Bay in Port Stephens. There will be a 3 course seafood and Christmas roast buffet feast, with Santa turning up with a Christmas gift for every child. Sitting times are 11:30am, 12pm and 12:30pm. Price: Adults $80, Child $40 (5-12 years), Children 0-4 years are free. Membership applies. See here for details and booking.
5/ Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley will be having a Walking In A Winter Wonderland – Christmas Luncheon between 12pm - 4pm, with a variety of seasonal farm gate to plate produce. The buffet will also be matched with a 3 hour Hunter Valley Wine Package. There will also be a visit from Santa and melodious music from Veronika Lawson. Price: Adults $199 inclusive of a Hunter Valley beer & wine package, Child (13-17) $157, Child (5-12) $135, Children aged 4 and under are free. Children's prices are inclusive of a 4 hour soft drink package. See here for details and booking.
* Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley will also be hosting a Good Tidings Dinner in their Redsalt restaurant from 5:30pm. See here for details.
6/ Eastern Tiger restaurant at Cardiff RSL will be having a Christmas Day lunch buffet, with over 100 dishes to choose from. Lunch sittings are 11am - 1pm and 1:15pm - 3:15pm. Dinner sitting is between 5:30pm - 9pm. Price: Adults $56.50, Child (3-5) $16.50, Child (6-8) $20.50, Child (9-11) $27.50, Child (12-14) $37.50. See here for details.
7/ Iron Horse Inn in Cardiff will have a Christmas Day Buffet Lunch between 12pm - 3pm. There will be a delicious hot and cold selection and you can also add a drinks package for just $25 per person! Price: Adults $75, Senior $50, Child (4-12) $25, Children 0-3 are free. Drinks Package $25. See here for details.
Image: Original images from Iron Horse Inn Facebook and website
8/ Shoal Bay Country Club in the Port Stephens region will be having a Seafood Christmas Day Buffet Lunch in their beachside function space. All prices include a standard 3 hour beverage package with house beer, wine, champagne and soft drinks. Relax and enjoy this beachside setting with family and friends. Price: Adults $150, Teens (13-17) $109, Kids (5-12) $49, Children under 5 are free. See here for details.
9/ The Anchorage hotel, also in Port Stephens, will be having 3 options this Christmas - a Seafood Buffet Lunch, a Christmas Luxe Plated 5 Course Lunch and a Seafood Buffet Dinner. See here for full details. For more Christmas Day options in the Port Stephens region, see the article Where are the Best Christmas Day Lunch Venues around Nelson Bay?
Last, but not least...
10/ Samaritans Christmas Lunch is a community lunch for people who are experiencing homelessness, are lonely, have no family, or have no money to celebrate. This lunch will be held on the Newcastle Foreshore Railsheds and Singleton Senior Citizens Centre from 11am. This wonderful event has been on each year for the last 17 years, providing support and friendship to the community. If you would like to be a volunteer on the day, see here for the application form. See here for details. Also see below for a You Tube video from 2018.
