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

You should find Newcastle pretty easy to live in. The University is 30 minutes by bus from the beach, as well as all the pubs and clubs along the main street of the town. The buses are fine and run quite regularly, and there are night buses if you stay out late. Taxis are expensive but fine if you’re sharing.
Newey isn’t far from Sydney (in Australia, a place ‘isn’t far’ if you can drive there in less than a day) – also nearby are the fine vineyards of the Hunter Valley, and you’ll find that the Student Union will organise a tour in your first month.
The campus itself is set in quite stunning bushland, and the whole area is fairly easygoing. There’s also a very vibrant cafe culture in Hamilton and Darby Street, and some new cafes and restaurants (a bit upmarket) along the river foreshore.
Like any city there are some dodgy areas, but all in all it’s a fairly nice, small city. Have fun!

What MeWy & lividlil says are mostly correct.
I came here as a student myself (I’m Norwegian), and would highly reccommend one thing; find a place off-campus..
It really depends what you want to do while here; meet new people (inc Australians) and have an active life outside of Uni is hard when staying on-campus, if you’r not lucky enough to get a car..
Lots of outdoor activities, due to the delightfull climate, like surfing, sailing, 4WDing, scenic trips, the beaches etc..

For some samples of life down here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/antwelm/

Have fun !