{"id":5404,"date":"2024-11-13T21:45:22","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T21:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5404"},"modified":"2024-11-13T21:45:24","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T21:45:24","slug":"3-unforgettable-day-trips-from-newcastle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/3-unforgettable-day-trips-from-newcastle\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Unforgettable Day Trips from Newcastle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A holiday in Newcastle<\/a> is usually packed with refreshing swims at beautiful beaches, relaxing walks along stunning coastline and long evenings in excellent restaurants<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re an adventurous type, you might also throw in an unexpected experience<\/a> \u2013 like taking a dip in a hand-cut ocean pool, seeing a 19th century-style gun firing or wandering through a fairy garden.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond Newcastle\u2019s city limits, there is even more to see and do. Whether you\u2019re behind the wheel of one of SIXT\u2019s eco-friendly EVs or travelling with mates in a spacious SUV, you can take a day trip to remember. Or maybe even two or three. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR BEACHES, DOLPHINS AND LONG LUNCHES: PORT STEPHENS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a day trip that doesn\u2019t involve too much time on the road, make tracks to Port Stephens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This spectacular body of water \u2013 just 30 minutes\u2019 drive north of Newcastle \u2013 is twice the size of Sydney Harbour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spend your time hopping between pretty beaches spotting dolphins and wandering among sleepy villages, or go for a series of adrenaline hits, from sand-boarding down 30-metre high sand dunes to galloping on horseback along Stockton Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, there are plenty of great eateries where you can refuel. Stand-out experiences include coffee at cosy Little Nel cafe, devonshire tea with breathtaking views at Inner Light Tea Rooms and a long lunch by the water at Little Beach Boathouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hunter
Image credit: Phil Whitehouse <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FOR PRETTY SCENERY AND WINE-TASTING: HUNTER VALLEY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A completely different experience is on offer in the Hunter Valley. Here, you\u2019ll swap the coastline for rolling hills, lush vineyards and friendly cellar doors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hunter Valley is the oldest wine region in Australia and is best known for its excellent semillon. But, with more than 150 wineries to visit, you can count on coming across wines of all kinds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In between sips, head to Muse restaurant in Pokolbin for fine dining, Yellow Belly for a feast cooked over a roaring fire or Cafe Enzo for locally grown produce in a Tuscany-inspired courtyard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you arrive early enough, you could start the day with the surreal experience of watching the sun rise from a hot air balloon, before hiring a bicycle and setting off along the Hunter Valley Cycleway, which takes in more than 12 wineries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelling with kids? Challenge them to a round of putt putt on the Hunter Valley Gardens Aqua Golf course, introduce them to a python at Hunter Valley Wildlife Park or take them on a picnic in the Hunter Valley Gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mungo
Image credit: WILDtrek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FOR STILL WATER AND BUSH WALKS: MYALL LAKES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just 90 minutes north of Newcastle you\u2019ll find yourself in the otherworld of Myall Lakes National Park.

It\u2019s a dream for nature lovers, with interesting hiking trails, gorgeous spots for paddling a kayak and several magical campgrounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlights include the Treachery Headland Walk, a two-kilometre trail through coastal rainforest that brings you incredible views of Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse; Broughton Island, which is the only place in NSW where you can camp in a seabird colony; and Grandis Picnic Area, where you can eat lunch next to the tallest tree in NSW (as far as we know). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GETTING TO NEWCASTLE <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newcastle is a two-hour drive north of Sydney<\/a> on the North Coast of NSW<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swing by on a road trip as far as Brisbane, or fly into Williamtown Airport Newcastle<\/a>, then jump into a SIXT car rental.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also have branches at Beresfield<\/a> and Charlestown<\/a>, where you can drop off your vehicle if you\u2019re not heading back to the airport. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A holiday in Newcastle is usually packed with refreshing swims at beautiful beaches, relaxing walks along stunning coastline and long evenings in excellent restaurants. If you\u2019re an adventurous type, you might also throw in an unexpected experience \u2013 like taking a dip in a hand-cut ocean pool, seeing a 19th century-style gun firing or wandering…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[76,122],"class_list":{"0":"post-5404","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-newcastle","8":"tag-roadtrips-nsw","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n3 Unforgettable Day Trips from Newcastle - SIXT Magazine Australia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From the pretty beaches and dolphins of Port Stephens to the wineries and restaurants of the Hunter Valley.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/3-unforgettable-day-trips-from-newcastle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"3 Unforgettable Day Trips from Newcastle - 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