Whilst there’s a wealth of things to do in Newcastle (see my favourite local guide – HUNTERhunter) – it’s also what’s within close reach of Newcastle that makes it so appealing.
For somewhere to be within 2.5 hours is (for me, anyway), the furthest you would want to travel both ways in a day and also the ideal amount of time for a weekend away.
I have sought to showcase some of the best places you can get to driving and flying out of the Hunter region (all of which we have visited in the last year of living here). That’s not to say that you need to leave (particularly during summer), however, everyone enjoys the occasional change of scenery.
Driving
Hunter Valley – Excellent wine country, within 40 minutes of the Newcastle CBD. Great food, accommodation, and leisure options.
Broke – whilst part of the Hunter Valley, Broke is its own destination and nearly 1 hour and 20 minutes away. Stunning properties, boutique wineries and just that little bit less touristy than the Hunter – feels somewhat undiscovered. Check out the A Little Bit of Italy in Broke festival.
Port Stephens – stunning beaches, great accommodation options, improving food and bar scene and recreation options galore.
Port Macquarie – one of my favourite places to visit. Picturesque, uncrowded and becoming that little bit ‘cooler’ with new bar, dining, brewery, coffee options coming to town. It’s very rundown in places but I can see a big revitalisation coming. Make sure to visit Flynn’s Beach, Cassegrain Wines and Whalebone Wharf Restaurant – stunning!
Sydney – Loud, busy, expensive and awesome.
Central Coast – heaps to do, lots of hidden gems. Check out Gosford with its new highrises like Bonython Tower and the stunning Boathouse Patonga. Try an amazing coastal or inland bushwalk.
Lake Macquarie – geez Lake Macquarie is huge. Get on a boat and check it out. There are some amazing and very much unknown pockets and lots of up and coming areas. Go check out Trinity Point and dine at 8 at Trinity Point.
Flying
Flying out of Newcastle is dead-easy and generally cheap. Newcastle airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in Australia – it welcomes over 1.2m passengers each year.
Brisbane (1 hour 10 mins) – short jump away, awesome place for a week or a weekend – just not in the height of summer in 99% humidity. Stay close to the beach in Newcastle
Melbourne (1 hour 40 mins)- I needn’t say anything about Melbourne – it’s very good at blowing it’s own horn.
Gold Coast (1 hour 5 mins) – not for me, but people seem to love it (I’ll be forced to change my mind once I have older children and they want to go to theme parks…) – only a quick jump away.
Canberra (1 hour 10 mins) – apparently its cool these days? Keen to potentially try this flight for the ski season.
Sydney (45 mins) – yes you can fly to Sydney
Byron (fly into Ballina)
