Sydney to Newcastle road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
Newcastle accommodation and tours
The drive then passes between Morriset and Cooranbong, running west of Lake Macquarie and near the southern tip of Watagans National Park. Close to the Mount Sugarloaf Lookout, you leave the Pacific Motorway and head east into Newcastle.
Once in Newcastle, you can go on boat tours along the Hunter coast, street art walks, whale-watching cruises and after dark true crime tours.
Newcastle accommodation picks include the deluxe Crystalbrook Kingsley, the energetically stylish QT Newcastle and the heritage-stuffed Grand Hotel.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.