Converted Gothic mansion stay a symbol of vibrantly renewed Newcastle

The place: Mr Brooks on Brown, Newcastle

Check-in

Rollicking renewal… Mister Brooks on Brown.

Some still view Newcastle, NSW’s second-biggest city, as a grey, old steelmaking town. But do we have hues for you? Although this transformed city remains the world’s biggest coal port, there are many pockets of brightness, including Mister Brooks on Brown (a street, not a colour). Named in honour of Thomas Brooks, one of Newcastle’s early mayors who once resided here, this vividly restored, three-storey Victorian Gothic mansion now offers upscale accommodation on the fringe of the city’s CBD.

The look

Colour your world... Mister Brooks on Brown.

Remember all of those homemaker shows in which householders were somehow persuaded to paint their various rooms in shades of Kermit green and Miss Piggy pink? Shades of green and pink predominate in this house, too, but, unlike those programs, it’s handled throughout with Home Beautiful-like aplomb by Prue and Andrew Swain, Mister Brooks’ owners, who hail from Orange (the regional NSW city, not the colour). Led by Prue, with her uncanny eye for colour, the couple went full contemporary gelato, and successfully so, in respect to both the mansion’s restored internals and externals as well as its soft and hard furnishings.

The room

Brown in name only … guest lounge

Take your pick. With the once near derelict house carefully converted in 2024 from three separate apartments, it now sleeps up to 12 people across six generously sized king bedrooms, has three bathrooms, multiple living spaces, an alfresco terrace and even a plunge pool. Perhaps the most appealing bedroom is the main equivalent on the third and top storey, with harbour glimpses (mainly of entering and departing coal-carrying ships) and a sizable ensuite bathroom kitted out, as elsewhere, with fashionable Australian-made LEIF products.

Food + drink

Light and bright… Mister Brooks on Brown.

Novocastrians love their tucker, and understandably so, with outstanding restaurants, cafes and bars now proliferating at every turn in this city of almost 500,000. One standout cafe is Arno Deli on nearby King Street, a short walk down the hill from Brown Street (watch your step, as it’s one of Newcastle’s steepest streets). This teeny, authentic Florence-inspired paninoteca is open for lunch or breakfast. For something more substantial, book lunch or dinner at the hatted Bistro Penny, set inside an exquisite Edwardian bank building and serving Gallic-inspired wood-fired modern cuisine. A 15-minute drive from Newcastle’s CBD to suburban Mayfield East is where you’ll find the excellent Equium Social, a grungy, cool, Melbourne-style cafe favoured by Novocastrians-in-the-know.

Out + about

Aside from those occasional steep inclines, Newcastle is a fine city to explore on foot. Stride forth, not far from Mister Brooks, to the Newcastle Memorial Walk, a spectacular 450-metre suspended coastal walkway offering arresting views of the city’s dramatic coastline (and, if you’re lucky, the odd passing whale). Opened in 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, the walkway is adorned with steel silhouettes of soldiers, as well as the names of Hunter Valley World War I veterans. Elsewhere, head down to the heritage-listed and newly restored early 20th-century Newcastle Ocean Baths for perfect, Insta-friendly, Jeffrey Smart-like scenes. From this splendid spot, keep an eye out for more whales as well as dolphins, seals and seabirds.

One of the bathrooms… Mister Brooks on Brown.

The verdict

Newcastle now sports a lot more colour in its urban cheeks. It’s having the last laugh on its detractors, who need to catch up on how much this city has evolved and how much it has to offer. And it’s all best exemplified by distinctive digs of the likes of Mister Brooks.

Essentials

From $995 midweek, accommodating up to 12 people (or up to six couples in six super king-size beds). Minimum two-night stays. Discounted midweek rates for six people or fewer are available upon request. Ph: 0421 045 435. See misterbrooks.au

Our rating out of five

★★★★½

Highlight

Mister Brooks on Brown and its brilliant and confident restoration will be right up the inner-city street of lovers of interior design.

Lowlight

The stairs to the third floor (and even the second) of Mister Brooks won’t suit those with any kind of mobility issues.

The writer stayed as a guest of Mister Brooks on Brown.

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.