An overcast start to the first day of racing did not keep fans away early, with thousands pouring through the gates soon after they opened to seek out the best spot on the track.

While an official crowd figure won't be released until Sunday, and is expected to be down on previous years, majority of the track's edge was still lined with fans.

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Spectators were also scattered across the verandahs and rooftops of many trackside buildings.

James Thompson's trackside apartment in Newcastle East was steadily filling up when the Supercars first hit the track for qualifying on Saturday morning.

Mr Thompson said he was hosting 16 of his family and friends for the weekend.

"They've come from Sydney, Muswellbrook, Port Macquarie and Port Stephens," he said.

"The family self-invited and the friends tagged along with it. Two of them are chefs are so that works out well.

"We've done a whole menu for the weekend. We've got food all planned so it's a well-oiled machine."

Mr Thompson said he wasn't an avid Supercars fan but enjoyed making the most of the event.

"I think it's good to try new things," the 46-year-old said.

"I'm pro anything that's Newcasatle, anything that involves the revitalisation and the growth of Newcastle.

"It's very important that we look at that. But also at the same time making sure it's not damaging the city as well.

"It is a little a bit of an inconvenience, the setting up and packing up, but it's about the city."

Around the track there was a host of activities and displays to keep race fans busy, including virtual reality experiences, racing simulators, live music, a basketball shootout and even camel rides.

Newcastle Harbour was dotted with at least a dozen vessels anchored close to the foreshore.

Many boaties seen standing on the roof of their vessels in an effort to gain a view of the track.

Bar Beach couple Brad and Heidi Bond launched their jet-ski at Carrington to head into event, pulling up alongside the hairpin to watch the racing.

Mrs Bond said the couple, both 47, would have caught a bus into the event but wanted to experience something different.

"We've got some friends over there who have got a boat so we'll probably jump on board," she said.

"Have a look at the harbour - you've got the racing, you've got the coal ships coming in, it's a stunning harbour. It's something a bit different."

Local hospitality business around the track said they were experiencing decent trade but the cooler temperatures may have led to more people staying outdoors rather than heading inside.

Light rail was again the popular transport option with trams regularly at capacity throughout the morning.

Newcastle Transport operator Keolis Downer said more than 6700 people used the trams on Friday, a number that was expected to top 10,000 on Saturday.

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