Newcastle to Forster drive: Distance, time & road trip stops
The Newcastle to Forster drive covers a 165km distance in a driving time of around two hours. Road trip stops to add to the itinerary include the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens and Buladelah Mountain.
The drive from Newcastle to Forster connects the second largest city in New South Wales to one of the most attractive spots on the Mid North Coast. Forster is a popular spot for beach holidays, and has some great surf.
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.
Forster is best known for its beaches, but you can also try hiring a boat to explore Wallis Lake.
Forster accommodation can sell out. Book yours now.
Overseas visitors are likely to take on the drive as part of a longer road trip up the New South Wales coast, perhaps from Sydney to Byron Bay or Newcastle to Coffs Harbour.
Newcastle to Forster distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Newcastle to Forster is 165km. This makes for a driving time of around two hours. This driving time assumes you are sticking to the quickest route via the Pacific Highway, but there is a strong argument for taking slightly longer via the coast. This way, you can add Seal Rocks, Myall Lake, Boomerang Beach and Booti Booti National Park to the itinerary.
Newcastle to Forster road trip stops: Botanic Gardens and national parks
If sticking to the Pacific Highway, though, the Newcastle to Forster drive leaves Newcastle to the north, passing the Hunter Wetlands National Park and Hunter Region Botanic Gardens in Heatherbrae. The highway then skirts west of the Port Stephens region, heading through Raymond Terrace. It goes through the southern edges of Wallaroo National Park and Karuah National Park. The latter is better set up for visitors, with a couple of campgrounds and 4WD trails.
You can also turn off to the towns on the northern shore of Port Stephens – Karuah, Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest. Jimmys Beach in Hawks Nest is particularly appealing.
Click through to the next section: Bulahdelah Mountain.
Newcastle to Forster drive: Bulahdelah Mountain
The Newcastle to Forster road trip continues towards Bulahdelah, where Bulahdelah Mountain is the main attraction. There are three walking tracks, just over 2km long each, which can be combined for a longer walk. The first, nearest the highway, is the Boolah-Dillah Track. Follow the signs and you’ll reach the Ted Baker Lookout and Mountain Lookout. In between, and at the end of the Boolah-Dillah Track, is the Worimi Cultural Area, where tree-carvings take place.
You’ll then turn west and head through the northern section of Myall Lakes National Park. The O’Sullivans Gap Picnic Area has a short walk and plenty of wildlife. You’ll hear the native birds before you see them.
Moving on, Wallingat National Park is to the east, but its highlights are best accessed via the coastal road rather than the highway.
Click through to the next section: Into Forster.
Things to do between Newcastle and Forster: Great Lakes Paddocks
Just after the Lennys Lookout Rest Area, there’s a chance to do some wine-tasting at Great Lakes Paddocks. But the next decent-sized settlement is Coolongolook, which has a couple of cafés. Then comes Nabiac, home of the National Motorcycle Museum.
The turn-off from the Pacific Highway comes shortly afterwards, along Failford Road. You then join the Lakes Way in Darawank, pass the magnificent Tuncurry Beach in Tuncurry, then over the Coolongolook River into Forster.
Things to do in Forster include watching dolphins from Bennetts Head and whale-watching tours with Amaroo Cruises. You can also link One Mile Beach and Burgess Beach along the coastal walk.
Forster accommodation options include the family-friendly Forster Holiday Village, the Lakes and Ocean Hotel, which has its own restaurant, and the Hotel Forster, which has a sprawling pool.
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