Sydney to Tamworth road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Visit Newcastle on the way?
The motorway then continues between Morriset and Cooranbong. It goes west of Lake Macquarie and near the southern tip of Watagans National Park.
Close to the Mount Sugarloaf Lookout, you have a decision to make – leave the Pacific Motorway and head east into Newcastle? Or keep going towards Tamworth?
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 enjoying wildlife at Blackbutt Reserve, whale-watching tours, swimming at Merewether Baths and browsing the city’s museums.
You can also try boat tours along the Hunter coast, street art walks and after dark true crime tours.
Newcastle accommodation highlights include the luxurious Crystalbrook Kingsley, the buzzy QT Newcastle and the heritage-stuffed Grand Hotel.
Sydney to Tamworth drive: Newcastle to Muswellbrook
If not going into Newcastle, you need to head north-east along the Hunter Expressway towards Branxton. This is one of the gateways to the Hunter Valley wine region, although the most easily visited are around Allandale on the way.
At Branxton, join the New England Highway and head past Belford National Park. Daredevils may be interested in Skydive Hunter Valley at Whittingham, but the next sizable towns are the thoroughly underwhelming Singleton and Muswellbrook.
Click through to the next section: Aberdeen and Scone.