Take this scenic route on your next Sydney to Newcastle road trip

Melissa Mason Melissa Mason
hero media
With many of New South Wales’ best beach towns along the route, turning your Sydney to Newcastle drive into an experience is a must.

You might have taken a Sydney to Newcastle road trip in the past, only thinking of getting to your destination. This is understandable – Newcastle is a thriving city filled with great cafes, plenty of family fun, and loads of pubs, breweries and nightlife to enjoy. But if you choose the slow driving route from Sydney to Newcastle, you’re in for a treat. Populated with some of the best NSW beaches, national parks and up-close nature experiences, the drive is one worth relishing. Here is our guide to the perfect Sydney to Newcastle road trip.

Kur-Ring-Gai Chase National Park

The third oldest national park in Australia, Kur-ring-gai Chase National Park is a beautiful wilderness inside of Sydney popular with locals but often missed by those not in the know. Spend a day exploring the various walking trails and relaxing under leafy trees with a picnic.

Must See: Bobbin Head

Bobbin Head is a great spot for kids and adults alike, with lovely picnic areas shaded by trees, on the banks of Cowan Creek. There is a playground for little ones, and it’s worthwhile getting out on the water via the paddle boats for hire down at the marina.

an aerial view overlooking Bobbin Head Picnic Ground and CowanCreek
Relax by the water at Bobbin Head. (Image: Destination NSW)

Accommodation: Killara Hotel and Suites

Killara Hotel and Suites is a comfortable place to lay your head nearby. Recently renovated, it’s close to the excellent dining and boutique shopping of Sydney’s North Shore.

the executive king room interior at Killara Hotel and Suites
Stay for the night at Killara Hotel and Suites.

Patonga Beach

Take the exit off the highway past Mooney Mooney and travel down to Patonga Beach and its beautiful surroundings. Stay a few days and beach-hop between Patonga Beach, Pearl Beach and Ettalong Beach, enjoy the cafe and dining scene, and relish in the tranquillity of this coastal region.

A table full of meals ordered at The Boathouse Hotel Patonga
The food rivals the views at The Boathouse Hotel in Patonga. (Image: Destination NSW)

Must See: Palm Beach by Ferry

From Patonga Beach, you can jump on the ferry across to Palm Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It’s a short trip and, on a sunny day, makes for a beautiful cruise. At Palm Beach, you’ll find hikes, water activities and relaxed cafes for a leisurely lunch.

Women at the Palm Beach Lighthouse trail summit looking out over the views
Palm Beach is just a ferry ride across the water from Patonga. (Image: Destination NSW)

Accommodation: The Boathouse Hotel

This boutique hotel and famous restaurant is very popular and worth booking ahead. Did you miss out on a room? Treat yourself to a delicious, relaxed lunch or dinner at the restaurant downstairs.

a bedroom in an apartment suite located at The BoathouseHotel, Patonga
Bed down at The Boathouse Hotel for a cosy stay. (Image: Destination NSW)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Gosford

The Central Coast of NSW is worthy of its own weekend itinerary, but its proximity to the M1 highway makes it a fantastic place to take a break, too. Taking the Gosford turn-off will see you on a road that winds along the coast, right up to Newcastle if you want to beach-hop your way there. Otherwise, Terrigal Beach is a short 15-minute drive and features a pristine, kid-friendly shoreline and plenty of cafes worth enjoying lunch at.

Dolphins in the water at Terrigal Beach
Views of The Haven across the water in Terrigal. (Image: Destination NSW)

Must See: The Australian Reptile Park

Kids and tourists will find their native Australian wildlife encounters at The Australian Reptile Park, which is located near the M1. Yes, there are plenty of scaly critters to observe, but visitors can also get photos with koalas, feed kangaroos and watch free animal shows daily.

a koala hugging a tree branch
Spot koalas up close at The Australian Reptile Park.

Accommodation: The Quarters

Drive a few minutes up the road from Terrigal Beach, and you’ll find peaceful Forrester’s Beach. The Quarters is a relaxed, well-placed hotel with plenty of room options, including family accommodation and upscale options for couples after a romantic stay.

Lake Macquarie

Australia’s largest coastal saltwater lake has something for everyone, really. Fishing enthusiasts will love the 174 kilometres of lake foreshore and will surely catch a few at Swansea, where Lake Macquarie meets the ocean.

sunrise views over Lake Macquarie
A stop at Lake Macquarie offers a laid-back and tranquil setting to stretch your legs.

Wallarah National Park is nearby and features serene bike riding tracks, and kids will love Speers Point Park and its award-winning playground.

friends enjoying a coastal walk through Wallarah National Park, Lake Macquarie
Rewarding views await you at Wallarah National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

Must See: Caves Beach

The stunning Caves Beach is a hive of activity in summer thanks to crystal-clear waters and its stunning, rocky backdrop, but it’s also worth visiting during cooler months. Aside from swimming, the beach is famous for its caves, which visitors can explore at their leisure.

Accommodation: Ingenia Holiday Park Lake Macquarie

Ingenia Holiday Park Lake Macquarie is a pet-friendly holiday park popular with families and nature enthusiasts. Its position right on the water, with access to walking trails and national parkland, means you’ll never be short on things to do. Relax and enjoy the sunset in a waterfront cabin, or pull up the RV at one of the grass-covered powered sites.

a waterfront cabin at Ingenia Holiday Park Lake Macquarie
Settle in a waterfront cabin at Ingenia Holiday Park Lake Macquarie.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Merewether Beach

Though technically within Newcastle’s bounds, Merewether Beach is a lovely stop worth adding to your Sydney to Newcastle road trip itinerary before you reach the city. This top-rated beach has rockpools, ocean baths and a lengthy boardwalk, making it a popular swimming spot for locals and tourists alike.

an aerial view of Merewether Baths
Find rock pools on the stunning coast of Newcastle at Merewether Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Must see: Merewether Ocean Baths

One of the best ocean pools in NSW (and the largest in the southern hemisphere), Merewether Ocean Baths caters to all kinds of swimmers, from those looking to practice laps to families after a safe swimming area for the kids. There are warm showers, plenty of areas to sit and relax, and the baths are close to some wonderful cafes.

an aerial view of Merewether Ocean Baths
Plunge into Merewether Ocean Baths. (Image: Destination NSW)

Accommodation: Merewether Beach House B&B

Pick from bed-and-breakfast style accommodation or the self-contained cottage at Merewether Beach House B&B, a period home just 150 metres from the beach. Rooms are tastefully decorated, come with free wi-fi and air-conditioning, and can be converted into family-style suite accommodation.

the Merewether Beach House
Fall asleep to the calming sound of waves crashing on the shores by Merewether Beach House.

Newcastle

You’ve made it! With a wealth of things to do and see, dining options that will delight even the most high-brow of foodies, and beaches galore, your stay in Newcastle will undoubtedly be jam-packed. First, settle in, kick up your feet and relax after your Sydney to Newcastle road trip.

the rooftop bar at Romberg's Crystalbrook Kingsley
Drop by Romberg’s for a nightcap. (Image: Destination NSW/ Crystalbrook Kingsley)

Must See: Stockton Sand Dunes

Part of the Worimi Conservation Lands, these dunes run for 32 kilometres and offer something for everyone, from the daredevils to nature lovers. There are many ways to experience the Stockton sand dunes, but a particularly memorable choice is the Aboriginal Culture Sandboarding and Quad Bike tour, which blends cultural education with the thrills of dune adventures.

friends enjoying a Quad Bike tour on Stockton Sand Dunes
Explore Stockton Sand Dunes on a Quad Bike tour. (Image: Destination NSW)

Accommodation: Crystalbrook Kingsley

As Newcastle’s first five-star hotel, it’s worth splurging for at least one night at Crystalbrook Kingsley, which tops our list of the best Newcastle accommodation. The hotel recently won the Hotel of the Year at the Australasia-Pacific Hotel Design Awards for its tasteful interiors and architecture.

the lobby at Crystalbrook Kingsley
Enjoy a luxury stay at Crystalbrook Kingsley.
For more inspiration, insider tips and itineraries, read our travel guide to Newcastle.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Melissa Mason
Melissa Mason is a freelance journalist who loves road tripping and car snacks. Previously holding Editor roles at ELLE, marie claire, Broadsheet and Pedestrian.TV, she now writes travel and lifestyle content for a wealth of Australian titles like SMH, Mamamia and Urban List, as well as copywriting for international brands. Outside of writing, she loves walks with her dog Ted, a great Sunday afternoon with friends, and op shopping. If she could be anywhere right now it would be lounging on a hammock at a tropical resort with a great romantic fantasy book.
View profile and articles
impersonators in front of a train at the Parkes Elvis Festival
Central West

This vintage train journey delivers you in style to the Parkes Elvis Festival

We can't help falling in love with this vintage rail journey to Parkes' quirky Elvis-themed festival.

Read more
Legendary doughnuts served piping hot with a dusting of cinnamon sugar from Berry Donut Van
Sydney

You don’t have to run 42 kilometres to get a Berry donut this weekend

The South Coast's most famous donut van is parking at Circular Quay for Sydney Marathon weekend – no bib required.

Read more
This tiny mark in my hotel room opened a window into Sydney’s past
Sydney

This tiny mark in my hotel room opened a window into Sydney’s past

During a stay at Hotel Woolstore 1888, two strangers separated by more than a century forge an unexpected connection.

Read more
sirena del sol
Jervis Bay

The new retro-chic retreat bringing maximalist design to Hyams Beach 

A stunning new guest house has just opened steps from Hyams Beach, melding playful 1970s and Mediterranean beach club aesthetics.

Read more
hero media

Art, wine & fireplaces: 8 reasons Bowral is the ultimate winter getaway

(Credit: Destination NSW)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
    Continue
    The Southern Highlands earns its title as Australia’s top country town in the cooler months, and it’s worth every minute of the 90-minute drive from Sydney.

    Many Sydneysiders head to the Southern Highlands in spring for the tulips. It’s one of the most stunning spring carnivals in Australia. But the ones in the know come to Bowral in winter.

    The first thing you notice at this time of year is the quality of the light. It catches the tangled limbs of the gums and tints the fields, farms and forests a pretty shade of Granny Smith green. And then, a world-class art museum, an impressive network of walking trails, great shops, cosy restaurants and bars and luxury accommodation take centre stage, making Bowral a place you want to linger as the mercury drops.

    Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, a Bowral winter getaway is the coolcation city folk desperately need. Here are eight reasons to pack a good coat and head for the Southern Highlands.

    1. Check in

    aerial of Ardour Milton Park Bowral in winter
    Check in to the gorgeous Ardour Milton Park Bowral. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ardour Milton Park Bowral rises like a hologram in the hazy green light as you turn onto Horderns Road. A $10 million refurbishment of the grand 1910 estate was completed in early 2026, and the beautifully restored hotel now includes 44 guest rooms washed in sage green, cobalt blue and dusty blush. The dining room at Horderns Restaurant continues with a botanical theme – earthy banquettes, floral touches throughout – and a menu that moves with the seasons.

    After enjoying slow-braised Cowra lamb and a second glass of red, move to the Polo Bar, which has a fireplace and views across the estate gardens. Build a grazing board from the dedicated Charcuterie Room and take it outside while the light lasts. If the sky clouds over, use this as your cue to enjoy a next-level spa experience at Èliva.

    2. Hunt for treasure

    couple exploring Dirty Janes bowral
    Find vintage treasures in Dirty Janes. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Winter is the perfect season to lose an afternoon inside Dirty Janes Bowral. Over 1600 square metres of covered space houses 90 individual sellers of everything from mid-century furniture to industrial lighting, antique silverware, vintage clothing and objects whose previous lives you can only imagine. Enjoy a bit of off-the-cuff banter with your fellow fossickers in between searching for that must-have military jacket or vintage silk scarf.

    Around the corner, find the Instagram-famous front door of FoundAntiques, though the real finds are deeper inside. Bring cash, wear comfortable shoes and leave some room in the boot.

    3. Slow down in a beautiful gallery

    kids posing with donald bradman statue in bowral's The Bradman Museum
    Learn about an Aussie legend at The Bradman Museum. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ngununggula – meaning ’belonging’ in the language of the Gundungurra First Nations people – is the region’s first dedicated regional gallery, housed inside the sustainably transformed old dairy building at historic Retford Park. The onsite White Cottage Gallery and restored grounds of the former Fairfax estate reward a slow wander. Find a spot to sit in the courtyard filled with rivulets of winter light and enjoy the plaintive call of a currawong carrying across the heritage-listed grounds. It’s one of the best things to do in Bowral.

    Add Bowral Honey Farm for a hands-on harvest experience, then continue into town to the Milk Factory Gallery to admire eclectic works by local artists in a converted industrial space. The Bradman Museum also knocks it out of the park. Australia’s largest dedicated cricket museum sits beside the heritage-listed Bradman Oval, where a young Sir Donald Bradman first picked up a bat.

    4. A taste of France

    table spread at Lucette bowral
    Enjoy a taste of France at Lucette.

    For a taste of France without the airfare, husband-and-wife team Julien and Romy Besnard – of long-loved Franquette Crêperie – have opened Lucette, a French cafe-bistro with Paris-born chef Guillaume Dubois at the helm. Dubois brings serious pedigree from Michelin-starred kitchens in France and Sydney’s former two-hatted Monopole, and it shows. Start your day with pastries for breakfast and bookend it with boeuf bourguignon for dinner. The chocolate mousse, freckled with Guerande Salt, is the kind of dish that will make you feel smug about the decision to drive south. Join the Sydneysiders dressed in charcoal coats, boots and black tights who’ve already worked this out; the whole scene is worthy of splicing it into an Instagram reel.

    Francophiles should also be across Julien’s Bowral Brasserie – led by Frenchman Julien Viel, who also found his way to the Southern Highlands and stayed.

    5. Indulge in a tipple

    Centennial Vineyards bowral in winter
    Spend time amongst the local vines. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    The drive to Centennial Vineyards passes through a beautiful woodland idyll, the countryside a fuzz of green all around. Inside the Barrel Room, a tasting flight of cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay and reserve shiraz viognier flaunts how well the Southern Highlands does winter.

    This is a region that takes its cool-climate wines seriously, and the pinot noir is one of the stars – a gentle, easy-drinking style with red cherry aromas. Follow your tutored cellar door tasting with another glass of wine in the Terrace Bar, which overlooks the vineyard and manicured grounds.

    6. Blend your own gin

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar
    Pop into Millsheds Distillery & Bar. (Credit: Mattia Panunzio)

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar is somewhat of a local secret. The award-winning small-batch operation produces gin, vodka and liqueurs using Australian botanicals and has picked up silver medals at both the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirit Competition. Beyond the tasting paddle, the hands-on blending masterclass – where you design and leave with two bottles of your own custom gin – is the experience to book, while the terrace bar that wraps around the courtyard is a fine place to settle in afterwards.

    7. Go for a walk at dawn

    Switch your phone off sleep mode and set your alarm to early. Mt Gibraltar rises to 864 metres just east of Bowral’s main street and offers the best views in town. You will pass a raggle-taggle bunch of hikers on the way up to the summit, all making the same quiet pilgrimage into the crisp high-altitude air. On a clear morning, the bony ridges of the ranges come into sharp relief against the light. The return loop takes roughly 90 minutes. A flat white in Bowral tastes considerably better after completing one of the scenic walking trails.

    8. Cosy up by the fireplace

    Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel
    Get cosy in the Berida Hotel’s whiskey bar.

    A cosy bar is the perfect complement to winter in Bowral, and there are a few worth committing to. Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel is built for long, languorous evenings. Take a seat beside the fireplace laden with gnarled logs and work your way through a few whiskies and bar bites like Rangers Valley beef tartare, or salt cod and potato croquettes.

    At Hickory’s within Peppers Craigieburn, well-dressed waiters in denim and leather move quietly between tables, and the cosy fireplace in the adjoining guest lounge attracts an Escape to the Country crowd.

    Start planning your Bowral escape at visitsouthernhighlands.com.au.