At the start of November 2006, "Newcastle" was one of three Australian warships sent to Fiji during the leadup to the 2006 coup d'état by Fijian military forces against Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. "Newcastle" was the first vessel on station, and was later joined by and . The three vessels were to be used in the event of an evacuation of Australian citizens and nationals. It did not prove necessary to conduct an evacuation and "Newcastle" returned to Australia in late December 2006.