Singleton to Sydney road trip: Distance, time & best stops
The distance from Singleton to Sydney is 208km, with a driving time of 2h11m. The best road trip stops to add to a Singleton to Sydney road trip are the Hunter Valley, Newcastle and the Australian Reptile Park.
The drive from Singleton to Sydney takes you from the heart of New South Wales’ Hunter region to Australia’s most famous city.
For Singleton accommodation, hunt here.
Sydney’s enormous collection of experiences includes all-inclusive sunset dinner cruises, behind-the-scenes tours of the Opera House and whale-watching cruises. Also worth looking at are helicopter flights over the harbour and coastline, jet boat thrill rides and historic walking tours.
To get the best deals on Sydney accommodation, book here. To find Sydney tours and experiences that suit your tastes, step this way.
This guide should help travellers plan a Singleton to Sydney road trip itinerary.
Singleton to Sydney distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Singleton to Sydney is 208km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 11 minutes.
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.
The first potential stop after leaving Singleton is somewhat adventurous. Skydive Hunter Valley, offering tandem skydives from 15,000 feet, just off the New England Highway in Whittingham.
Then Belford National Park comes just before you reach Branxton. Alas, this is not a national park with visitor facilities – it is set up primarily for conservation and regeneration. You can walk around the perimeter fire trails if you really must, however.
Branxton, though, is one of the gateways to the Hunter Valley wine region. The smart move here is to duck south towards the wineries.
Singleton to Sydney: A stop in Newcastle?
Should you keep going towards Newcastle, however, the drive leaves the New England Highway and joins 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.
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.
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.
Newcastle also has coastal boat tours, street art walks and evening true crime tours.
Newcastle accommodation favourites include the lavish Crystalbrook Kingsley, the peppy QT Newcastle and the heritage-drenched Grand Hotel.
Click through to the next section: Newcastle to Gosford.