Muswellbrook to Sydney road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Muswellbrook to Sydney road trip: Newcastle to Gosford

If not going into Newcastle, join the Pacific Motorway and head south.

The motorway passes the Lake Macquarie Memorial Park and, more of interest, Watagans National Park. However, the nearby southern section is more of interest to mountain bikers than walkers and drivers.

Going west of Lake Macquarie, the Port Macquarie to Canberra drive then goes past Cooranbong, Morriset and Wyee before entering the Central Coast region.

Now, there are lots of interesting spots on the Central Coast. But the likes of Toukley, Terrigal and Forresters Beach require a significant diversion east of the motorway. If you want to explore the actual coast, Australia Travel Questions has a Central Coast guide.

The Motorway, however, runs west of Wyong and Tuggerah. Stops worth considering include the Amazement Farm and Fun Park plus Treetops Adventure Central Coast near Alison and the Ourimbah Creek Weir and Fish Ladder.

Further south Strickland Falls in the Strickland State Forest is handily near the motorway, while Somersby Falls isn’t too much of a diversion west.

Just west of Gosford, you’ll find the Australian Reptile Park and the Girrakool Loop Track in Brisbane Water National Park.

3 experiences to book in Gosford

Australian Reptile Park day pass – learn (safely) about Australia’s snakes and spiders.
Try your hand at flying with a jetpack – or try flyboarding instead.
Soap-making experience – make your own smellies.

Muswellbrook to Sydney drive: Crossing the Hawkesbury

You then cross into Sydney over the Hawkesbury River Bridge. Nearby, a visit to the Broken Bay Pearl Farm in Mooney Mooney, the Riverboat Postman Cruise and the Dangar Island Ferry are all worth considering.

The Pacific Motorway heads south into Sydney between the Berowra Valley National Park to the west and Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park to the east. The delightful Bobbin Head section of the latter, plus the Kalkari Discovery Centre, don’t take much of a diversion.

Architecture enthusiasts will want to include the striking Rose Siedler House in the itinerary before heading towards Sydney city centre.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Skip the queues – and get the best prices – with mobile-friendly advance tickets for these top Sydney attractions.

Taronga Zoo – the zoo with harbour views (and plenty of cute Aussie animals)
Sydney Opera House – official walking tour. See behind the scenes!
Wild Life Sydney – Aussie animal favourites in convenient Darling Harbour location. Perfect if on limited time.
Sydney Cricket Ground – behind the scenes secrets tour.
Sydney Tower Eye – 360 degree views from 250 metres above the city.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities on earth, and there is loads to do. The following suggestions for things to do in Sydney are just a fraction of the total offering.