Discover what's written in the stars for you this month with the April horoscopes!

My grandmother was born in 1936 in a small country town in western New South Wales. She was one of the smartest women I’ve ever known, which is even more impressive because she never got to go to high school. She trained as a nurse and married my grandfather when she was 18. They had two children soon after.

Ask Zdenka Young what it's like running one of Newcastle's most enduring family businesses, and she laughs warmly.

Chipmunks Playland & Café Belmont is a large indoor children’s play centre located at 1 High Street, Belmont, on the site of the former Belmont Bowling Club. The venue was fully repurposed and refurbished into a two-level indoor playland and café, designed for children aged 0–11 years.

Right in the heart of Newcastle’s CBD, The Art Department’s ceramics studio is a warm reminder that creativity isn’t just for a select few—it’s for anyone willing to give it a go (and maybe get a little clay under their nails).

Knock And Run Theatre is bringing the heartfelt and thought-provoking play I And You to local audiences this April - a funny, moving, and surprising story about connection, curiosity, and what it means to truly be alive.

As Newcastle Fringe Festival rolls into its second decade, something has quietly shifted. This is no longer a homegrown, determined start-up proving its worth. Nor is it a novelty on the cultural calendar. Newcastle Fringe has grown up, and in doing so, it has become something rarer and more powerful: a festival the city can genuinely claim as its own.

Entering its fourth year, the Lake Macquarie One Act Play Festival has evolved into a vibrant celebration of fresh storytelling, with playwrights contributing new work from across Lake Macquarie and the wider Hunter region, as well as America, New Zealand and beyond - all competing for a share of the $1,900 prize pool.

Your complete guide to what's on in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley...

Hunter Drama is set to start its 2026 season with a bang and a whole lot of glitter. Once Upon A One More Time brings together rebellious princesses, girl-power storytelling, and the irresistible hits of pop superstar Britney Spears for a night of theatrical fun at the Playhouse, Civic Theatre Newcastle, from 9–19 April.

Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC) has kicked off its 2026 season in spectacular style, with a stunning new exhibition by internationally recognised local artist Dani Marti now open to the public and running until 18 April.

Hunter Ice Skating Stadium is more than just a rink. It's a community hub where families, friends, and sports fans come together. From the heart-pounding excitement of Australian Ice Hockey League games to the joy of birthday celebrations and the fun of public skating activities, there's something for everyone at HISS!

March is shaping up to be a month of colour, creativity and connection at Allettare Dezigns — Newcastle's favourite creative destination.

In a region defined by choice, few Hunter Valley estates offer the sheer breadth of experience that Bimbadgen does. Wine of pedigree, multiple dining styles, an on-site distillery, premium accommodation, concerts, weddings and vineyard experiences - all anchored by two of the region’s oldest vineyards and one of its most recognisable hilltop sites, framed by century-old fig trees and sweeping views to the Brokenback Range.

There’s something energising about listening to young people talk about the stories that shape them. In the latest episode of The Placed to Speak podcast, produced through the Place Based Abilities Program, a group of passionate participants explore where “good writing meets great fantasy and visual media”. What unfolds is thoughtful, funny and surprisingly insightful.