Hello,
newcastle is pretty small if your living at the university there is a train station there and buses services…..but one thing about australian public transport services not the nicest in the world. Places to see…. ok your only 1 and half hours car travel from sydney, and about 2 and half hours by train, best bet is to meet people here at the uni they’ll show you around even nice ones will take you where u would like to go, there are plenty of pubs and clubs even at the uni called the bar on the hill great place always getting bands this month they are getting MxPx thats if your into live bands, if your over 18 you may drink alcohol you dont need to be 21.

http://www.international.newcastle.edu.au/02experience/newcastle.html

i hope this helps this link is everything that i said but maybe clearer…..anyways good luck with everything

cheers MeWy