Westfield Kotara is served by Newcastle Transport bus services to Broadmeadow, Charlestown, Swansea Heads, Wallsend and Warners Bay, as well as local surrounding suburbs.

Kotara Fair was purchased by David Jones in 1971 and plans were drawn to extend the centre to consolidate its strong position in the marketplace.

The $62 million expansion added a Super Kmart and Venture department store as well as bringing the total number of retailers to 120.

On 28 December 1989, shortly after completion of another expansion program, the centre suffered significant damage during the Newcastle earthquake.

[3] In 2010 a development application was submitted for an eight screen cinema complex and possible ten pin bowling alley as part of a $12.5 million expansion, in response to the opening of the new Charlestown Square in late 2010.

[9] The Rooftop has design drawn from the Hunter Valley Vineyards and the relaxed Novocastrian approach to life.

[10][11] The eight screen Event Cinemas complex opened on 17 December 2015 just in time for the Star Wars: The Force Awakens film.

[14] This development featured new Youth and Urban Precinct on level 2 located next to H&M and is in line with the region’s surf, skate and lifestyle culture and includes a diverse mix of retailers.

The youth precinct features a mini skatepark complete with half-pipe inside Parrey Skate store.

However Timezone features a bowling alley, laser tag, Spin Zone bumper cars and gaming arcades.

The major retailers include David Jones, Kmart, Target, Coles, Woolworths, H&M, Zara, JB Hi-Fi, Timezone and Event Cinemas.