What to know about Newcastle
- At the 2021 Census, the Newcastle - Maitland Significant Urban Area counted 508,437 people, with a median age of 39.Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats
- City of Newcastle requires personal trainers and commercial outdoor fitness trainers to have its consent to run group fitness or personal training sessions in the Newcastle local government area, and allocates these agreements each quarter.Source: City of Newcastle
- In January 2025 City of Newcastle reported a new fitness station with age-friendly exercise equipment in Maryville, between the Drop In The Ocean Playground and the Throsby Creek bridge.Source: City of Newcastle
- Maitland City Council's 2025/26 fees and charges list six-month and 12-month licences for personal trainers and commercial fitness groups, and require those trainers to hold public liability insurance.Source: Maitland City Council
- Maitland City Council lists the Maitland Park Outdoor Gym on Park St, South Maitland.Source: Maitland City Council
Newcastle and Maitland, one hub
The ABS groups Newcastle and Maitland into a single urban area, and at the 2021 Census it counted 508,437 people with a median age of 39. That takes in inner-city streets, beach suburbs such as Merewether and the Hunter towns around Maitland, so give us your own suburb and the trainer who hears from us can suggest somewhere that fits your week.
Beaches and parks need the council's consent
A trainer who wants to work outside in the Newcastle council area needs City of Newcastle's consent first. The council manages this through its Personal Training Licence and allocates agreements every quarter. Sessions can only run in approved areas, which the council chooses with high activity spots and places of cultural, environmental or natural significance in mind. Before you book, ask which approved area the trainer uses.
Maitland has its own licence
Over the council boundary, Maitland City Council lists six-month and 12-month licences for personal trainers and commercial fitness groups in its 2025/26 fees and charges, with public liability insurance as a condition. If you live near South Maitland, the council's Maitland Park Outdoor Gym on Park St is a handy place to build a session around.
A gentle start in Maryville
Not everyone wants a boot camp at dawn. In January 2025 City of Newcastle reported a new fitness station in Maryville, between the Drop In The Ocean Playground and the Throsby Creek bridge, with age-friendly equipment including a leg and chest press, an exercise bike and a shoulder mobility wheel. Working through it with a trainer can be a calm way to learn the basics. Read about one-on-one personal training if that sounds like you.
Newcastle and Maitland questions
Can a trainer run sessions on any Newcastle beach or park?
No. City of Newcastle licenses trainers for approved areas only. If you have a favourite park or stretch of sand in mind, check with the trainer that it is one their agreement covers.
I live in Maitland. Is this the right page?
Yes. This hub takes in Newcastle and Maitland, so put your own suburb or town on the request form and it goes to one personal trainer who works near you.
Is it only outdoor training?
No. You can ask for sessions at home or with a friend as well. See mobile personal training and partner and small group training to compare.