The Hunter Innovation and Science Hub (HISH) is thrilled to announce the Hunter Science Festival will return in 2025!

Delivered in collaboration with the City of Newcastle, this years event is bigger and better than ever. The festival will feature interactive science zones, mini electric vehicles, two science shows by Fizzics Education, PLUS, engaging talks from inspiring local scientists Lily Mickaill and Ali Watt!

Set for Sunday 17 August at Newcastle Museum from 10am, with an expected audience of over 4,000, this vibrant, family-friendly event will celebrate science’s power to connect, engage, and spark curiosity across our diverse community. 

• Come and be a poo on the HMRI Poo Palace!
• Build and race a solar car with Hunter Valley Electric Vehicles and the Port Authority
• Pick up a free plant with City of Newcastle's Environmental team
• Climb aboard a real City of Newcastle Garbage Truck and talk to the driver
• See a Fizzics Education Big Science Big Fun! science show
• Discover how electric vehicles and electrification can supercharge your life with City of Newcastle's Climate Change and Sustainability Team
• Chill out with LEGO® or a science book in the Newcastle Libraries zone
• Meet a Scientist and find out the incredible adventures that can be had with a science career! Come to the afternoon talks in the Theatrette to hear from Remote Field Botanist Lily Mickaill and Expedition Scientist (and musician!) Ali Watt
• Try your hand at activities from Hunter Water, Irukanji Shark and Ray Centre, Hunter Astronomical Society, CLEANaS Energy, Hunter Geological Society, Fab Lab, High Speed Train Authority, Rusty Coding Club, the Citizen Science Podcast and more!

Bring a picnic and relax under the umbrellas on the Museum Lawn. Newcastle Rotary Club will be cooking a BBQ, and KT Bakes Cakes will be there for sweet science-related treats! The Smiling Monk Cafe (right next to the Museum) are opening from 9.30am - 12.30pm.

Tickets:

• Free event!
• Collect tickets for HMRI Poo Palace and the science shows from 9:45am on the day at the ticket table (space is limited in the Palace and the Theatrette)

Plan your day:

The HMRI Poo Palace will run sessions every half an hour, from 10am through to 5pm. The 1:30pm session is for children with additional needs.

9:45am: Collect free tickets to the Science Shows and HMRI Poo Palace from the ticket table

10am: Doors open & first HMRI Poo Palace session of the day

10:30am: Fizzics Education Big Science Big Fun! Science Show in the Theatrette

12pm: Fizzics Education Big Science Big Fun! Science Show in the Theatrette

1:30pm: Lily Mickaill (Remote Field Botanist) talk: 'Seeds of Adventure: from Science into the Wild' in the Theatrette

2pm: Ali Watt (Expedition Scientist and Musician) talk: 'Exploring Our Fascinating Earth …through a world of science' in the Theatrette - plus live music!

3pm to 5pm: Explore the Museum! HMRI Poo Palace sessions end at 5pm.

This Inspiring Australia NSW initiative is supported by the Australian Government as part of National Science Week