Pickleball has exploded across the region over the past year, and there are now more places to play near you than ever, from purpose-built dedicated venues to your local tennis club and PCYC. Two new arrivals have changed the game for local players: Pickleballerz in Cardiff, Newcastle’s first dedicated indoor venue, and the newly relaunched Courtyard at Broadmeadow, a 12-court outdoor facility built specifically for the sport.
It is easy to see the appeal for families. Pickleball mixes tennis, badminton and table tennis on a court about the size of a badminton court, using light paddles and a perforated plastic ball. The rules are simple enough for kids to pick up in a single session, and most venues run beginner-friendly “come and try” sessions before you commit to anything.
Here is where to play pickleball near you, organised by area.
Good to Know
Most clubs offer a free or low-cost trial session before you need to join or pay for a term. Bring water and comfortable, non-marking court shoes. Paddles and balls are usually supplied for beginner sessions, but check when you book. Session times change with school terms and weather, so confirm directly with the venue before heading out, especially for outdoor courts.
Newcastle’s Two Flagship Pickleball Venues
Pickleballerz (Cardiff)
Newcastle’s first purpose-built indoor pickleball venue, with 8 cushioned courts inside a converted 1,890 square metre space at the old Parrey Skate Park site. Play is unaffected by weather, and the venue runs social nights, leagues, memberships and a free Learn to Play session for newcomers.
Address: 38 Munibung Road, Cardiff
Best for: Beginners and indoor play in any weather, families wanting a reliable weekend option
The Courtyard (Broadmeadow)
Newcastle’s first purpose-built outdoor pickleball venue, relaunched in early 2026 with 12 dedicated courts (eight resurfaced tennis courts plus four new ones) at the District Park tennis site. Open seven days a week with casual sessions, coaching, memberships and corporate packages. This is now a standalone pickleball destination in its own right, not just a shared tennis facility.
Address: 88 Lambton Road, Broadmeadow
Best for: Outdoor social sessions, corporate or group bookings, and families wanting a big, dedicated space
More Places to Play in Newcastle
Bar Beach All Sports (Bar Beach)
An outdoor, multi-sport facility at Empire Park and an official National Pickleball League (NPL) affiliated venue. Runs private, semi-private and small group coaching, social sessions and school holiday pickleball clinics for kids.
Address: 7 Kilgour Avenue, Bar Beach
Best for: School holiday clinics and competitive junior players
Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium (Broadmeadow)
The main indoor hub for Hunter Pickleball, with 9 courts running Monday, Tuesday and Friday. A solid option if the weather is unreliable and you want a central location.
Address: 27 Young Rd, Broadmeadow
Best for: Regular indoor sessions close to the CBD
The Forum, University of Newcastle (Callaghan)
Hunter Pickleball runs Saturday sessions here with 8 indoor courts. Good option if you’re already on campus or nearby.
Address: The Forum, University of Newcastle, Callaghan
Best for: Weekend sessions
Stockton Tennis Club (Stockton)
Pickleball runs Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings from 9am. You’ll need tennis club membership to play, and can bring your own bats and balls or borrow the club’s.
Address: Mitchell Street, Stockton
Best for: Members wanting a regular morning hit
Wickham Badminton Centre (Wickham)
Hunter Pickleball sessions run here on Tuesdays and Fridays, shared with the badminton community.
Address: 1/16 Albert St, Wickham
Best for: Weekday evening play
YWCA Hunter Region (Cooks Hill)
Social, all-ages sessions on Fridays during school term, with two courts, equipment and a volunteer on hand to help beginners.
Address: 24 Dawson Street, Cooks Hill
Best for: A relaxed, no-pressure introduction to the sport
Lake Macquarie
Marks Oval Tennis (Floraville)
Four outdoor hard courts run by Hunter Pickleball, with lights for evening play and a free Come and Try session for newcomers. These sessions offer basic tuition on skills, rules, and tactics, allowing you to sample the sport. Once you’ve learned the basics, you are ready to join the Beginner sessions.
Address: 73A Floraville Rd, Floraville
Best for: Evening sessions and outdoor play
Belmont Tennis Club (Belmont)
Total Tennis Lake Macquarie runs pickleball on the indoor, junior-sized hard court here.
Address: 10 Livingstone Street, Belmont
Best for: Younger kids on a smaller court
Mount Hutton Tennis Club (Mount Hutton)
Play pickleball at Mount Hutton Tennis Club with Total Tennis Lake Macquarie. They offer fast and fun sessions including coaching, social play, and leagues. Pickleball is played on the indoor pickleball/junior court.
Address: 20 Dunkley Parade, Mount Hutton
Best for: Families wanting structured coaching
Rathmines Tennis Club (Rathmines)
Also run by Total Tennis Lake Macquarie, with a clubhouse and undercover seating, though the courts themselves are uncovered.
Address: 107 Rosemary Row, Rathmines
Best for: Social play with a clubhouse to relax in afterwards
PCYC Lake Macquarie (Windale)
Sessions for all ages at $12 each. Published times are daytime sessions Tuesday to Thursday and evening sessions Wednesday and Thursday, though it’s worth calling ahead to confirm, as these can shift with school holidays.
Address: 2B Lake Street, Windale Phone: (02) 4948 6622
Best for: Budget-friendly casual sessions
Hunter Valley
Greta Arts and Sports Community Hall (Greta)
Home of the Cessnock Pickleball Association, with Come and Try sessions and four skill levels from Beginner through to Advanced.
Address: 1 Water Street, Greta Best for: Hunter Valley families new to the sport
PCYC Cessnock (Cessnock)
Indoor pickleball sessions bookable through Opensports, with a PCYC membership plus a small per-session fee.
Address: 1B Short Street, Cessnock
Best for: A second Cessnock option if Greta’s sessions don’t suit your schedule
PCYC Maitland (Maitland)
Regular pickleball sessions as part of PCYC’s broader sport and recreation program, suitable for beginners through to social players. Worth calling ahead to confirm current days and times.
Address: PCYC Maitland
Best for: Maitland families wanting a local, low-cost option
Maitland Indoor Sports Centre (Rutherford)
Two indoor hard courts with permanent pickleball lines and portable nets, in a multi-sport indoor facility.
Address: Rutherford
Best for: Casual indoor hit-outs in the Maitland area
Frequently Asked Questions
The two biggest dedicated venues are Pickleballerz in Cardiff (indoor) and The Courtyard in Broadmeadow (outdoor), both purpose-built for the sport. Beyond those, Hunter Pickleball runs sessions at Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium, the University of Newcastle Forum, Wickham Badminton Centre and Marks Oval, and Bar Beach All Sports offers coaching and social play.
Yes. Cessnock has two options, Greta Arts and Sports Community Hall (home of the Cessnock Pickleball Association) and PCYC Cessnock. Maitland families can play at PCYC Maitland or Maitland Indoor Sports Centre in Rutherford.
Yes. The court is smaller than a tennis court, the paddles are lightweight, and the underarm serve makes it far easier for kids to get a rally going than tennis. Most venues welcome children in social sessions, and several run dedicated junior clinics during school holidays.
Not for a first session. Most clubs supply paddles and balls for beginners and Come and Try sessions. If you get hooked, a decent starter paddle is a worthwhile investment before joining a regular session.
Both. Pickleballerz in Cardiff and several tennis club courts are indoors, so weather is not an issue. The Courtyard in Broadmeadow and Marks Oval in Floraville are outdoor, so it’s worth checking court conditions after rain.
It varies by venue. Community sessions like PCYC Lake Macquarie sit around $12 a session. The Courtyard runs casual sessions around $16, with 50 per cent off for members. Pickleballerz runs on memberships from around $29 a week or casual court hire. Many clubs offer a free first trial.
Bar Beach All Sports and Pickleballerz both run junior-friendly holiday clinics. Check each venue closer to the holidays, as these sessions fill quickly.
You might also like: