The locality is about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) east of the town of Launceston.

[1] It is an inner suburb of the city of Launceston, located approximately 3 kilometres east of the central business district.

[2] The suburb took its name from "Newstead House", built in the vicinity in 1855 by Ronald Campbell Gunn.

In 1919 it was renamed "Kawallah" but this was not supported by local residents and the area was unofficially known as Newstead until it became official in 1961.

[3] The North Esk River forms most of the eastern boundary.