Cruise passenger survey reports strong satisfaction with Newcastle visits
Nearly four in five respondents said they would return to Newcastle and Surrounds, while visitor support services earned the highest ratings.
A cruise passenger survey conducted between Oct. 19, 2025, and March 31, 2026, gave the overall Newcastle visitor experience a rating of 4.5 out of 5. The result reflected passenger satisfaction with local services, amenities and the ease of exploring the city.
Almost 80% of surveyed passengers indicated they would return to Newcastle and Surrounds. International travellers accounted for 62% of respondents. Welcome Volunteers and Visitor Information services were the highest-rated destination touchpoints in the survey.
Port Authority of NSW also awarded funding through its Community Grants program to the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group’s Cruise Welcome Volunteer Program. The support will help the volunteer-led initiative provide wayfinding services and develop new visitor maps for the coming cruise season.
The work follows the Newcastle Cruise Memorandum of Understanding, which includes the Port Authority, regional tourism organisations and seven local councils. The agreement is intended to improve visitor experiences and increase cruise tourism benefits across Newcastle, the Hunter and Central Coast.