Maitland to Newcastle road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops

The Maitland to Newcastle drive covers a 44km distance in a driving time of around 43m.

Planning a Maitland to Newcastle road trip itinerary

The drive from Maitland to Newcastle connects the two main cities in the Hunter region of New South Wales.

Maitland’s top tourist attraction is the Maitland Gaol. For Maitland accommodation, search here.

Newcastle offers plenty of activities, including adventure boat cruises along the coastline, architecture and street art walking tours and whale watching cruises. For a big menu of Newcastle tours and experiences, explore here. To fix up one of Newcastle’s best accommodation options, book here.

This guide should help you plan your ideal Maitland to Newcastle road trip. Click through on the links for more detailed information about individual towns and attractions.

If you need to hire a car, find the best rental deals. And don’t forget to do all your pre-road trip shopping.

Maitland to Newcastle distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Maitland to Newcastle is 44km. That makes for a driving time of around 43 minutes.

The easiest from Maitland to Newcastle leaves Maitland to the south along Cessnock Road. It passes through Gillieston Heights towards Heddon Greta.

The Heddon Greta Drive In might interest those who like their movies the old-fashioned way.

Maitland to Newcastle drive: Heddon Greta to Newcastle

Here, you join the Hunter Expressway (aka the M15). There’s not much to see near the motorway, although the Heddon Greta Drive In might interest those who like their movies the old-fashioned way.

On the outskirts of Newcastle, you may wish to branch off to the Mt Sugarloaf Lookout or Treetops Adventure Newcastle in the Blue Gum Hills.

Good things to do in Newcastle include admiring wildlife at Blackbutt Reserve, whale-watching tours, swimming at Merewether Baths and enjoying the city’s museums.

9 cool Newcastle experiences you need to book in advance

An Adventure boat cruise along the Hunter coast – with thrills and scenery.
A mobile phone-based scavenger hunt – explore the city differently.
An architecture and street art walking tour – see all the best murals.
A whale-watching tour – get close to the migrating humpback whales.
A two hour city highlights tour by bus – get orientated when you first arrive.
A scenic helicopter flight – see the spectacular coastline from above.
A three hour craft beer and food-matching tour – get a taste of the drinking and dining scene.
A food, drink and history walking tour – hear stories and indulge at the same time.