Newcastle to Cessnock drive: Distance, drive time & attractions

The Newcastle to Cessnock drive covers a 49km distance in a driving time of around 54 minutes. Attractions along the way include the Blue Gum Hills and Burrenjim Dam.

The Newcastle to Cessnock drive takes you from the second largest city in New South Wales to the edge of the Hunter Valley wine region. It’s a short trip, and easily manageable in one stint behind the wheel. However, there are a few places you might wish to visit along the route.

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.

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.

Newcastle to Cessnock distance and driving time

By car, the Newcastle to Cessnock drive covers a 49km distance, with a driving time of around 54 minutes.

From Newcastle city centre, the drive to Cessnock heads west along the A15, past Smith Park and the McDonald Jones Stadium. The route then goes past Jesmond Park, Brickworks Park and Wallsend Park.

Continue along the Newcastle Link Road and you’ll pass near the Blue Gum Hills and Treetops Adventure Newcastle.

Newcastle to Cessnock Drive: Burrenjim Dam and Baird’s Pond

It then goes past Burrenjim Dam and the Baird’s Pond walking area and crosses the two bridges over Surveyors Creek Dam.

The Wattaka Rest Area follows shortly afterwards, although this is really designed for drivers on much longer journeys. By this stage it’s a motorway, skirting the edge of Buchanan and Heddon Greta.

You need to branch off the Hunter Expressway at the Hart Road exit. The Kurri Kurri Smelter Mural stands by the roadside, as a memorial to the aluminium smelter that was once a major source of work in these parts.

Continue towards Cessnock along Ginger Lane, then Frame Drive and Orange Street into Abermain. Cessnock Road, then Maitland Road, will take you into Cessnock.

Cessnock accommodation costs from $82 a night.