These two main operators have an east–west split, with Newcastle Transport buses mostly covering the inner city and coastal region east of the lake as far south as Swansea, while Hunter Valley Buses cover the region west of the lake, Newcastle Airport, and outlying suburbs and towns, extending into the valley.

Port Stephens Coaches serve the airport and coast north of Newcastle.

The network is overseen by Transport for NSW, with the Opal card ticketing system valid for most journeys.

Busways, Greyhound Australia, NSW TrainLink, Port Stephens Coaches, Premier Motor Service, Rover Coaches and Sid Fogg's also run intercity routes connecting Newcastle to the rest of New South Wales.

[2][3] Some of the major destinations Newcastle Transport serves include Newcastle Interchange, Queens Wharf, Broadmeadow, The Junction, Mayfield, Waratah, University of Newcastle, Jesmond, Westfield Kotara, Charlestown Square, Lake Macquarie Fair, Wallsend, Stockland Glendale, Warners Bay, Belmont, John Hunter Hospital, Cardiff and Swansea.