Newcastle cruise survey reports strong visitor satisfaction
Cruise Newcastle says passengers rated their overall experience 4.5 out of five, with almost 80% indicating they would return to the region.
Cruise Newcastle has released findings from its 2025–26 Passenger Survey, conducted from Oct. 19, 2025, to March 31, 2026. The overall visitor experience received a rating of 4.5 out of five.
Almost 80% of surveyed passengers said 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 measured in the survey.
The Port Authority of NSW has also awarded Community Grants funding to the Newcastle Tourism Industry Group’s Cruise Welcome Volunteer Program. The funding will support wayfinding services and the creation of new visitor maps. Separately, the Newcastle Cruise Memorandum of Understanding brings together the Port Authority, regional tourism organisations and seven local councils to improve visitor experiences and cruise-tourism benefits across Newcastle, the Hunter and Central Coast.