Just North of Sydney
 

My wife and I plan to fly into Sydney from SFO getting in early in the morning. Though we will be visiting and staying with friends in Sydney, we'd like to go just north of Sydney for a few nights to get rid of some of the jetlag before we go to their home.

We normally travel in Europe by car and are accustomed to landing in the morning, then driving as much as 150 miles (tops) that day. We'd like to go north of Sydney on arrival and have been looking at both Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. The maps seem to suggest Newcastle is a reasonable drive over fast roads but neither Fodor's nor Lonely Planet even mention Newcastle which makes me wonder if there is any there there.

The Hunter Valley would seem to be an ideal spot but it might take a bit more effort and time in driving on our arrival day than we wish to expend.

Any thoughts and suggestions?

Thanks,
BigBlue

BigBlue - My favourite destination would have to be Port Stephens, just north of Newcastle. Beautiful harbour & beaches, restaurants, etc, etc.
Just drive up the freeway from Sydney and then continue on the Pacific Highway, over the Hexham Bridge, and not far from Hexham, you will see a turnoff to Port Stephens.
If you stay at Port Stephens, you will have the opportunity of driving "one day" to the Hunter Valley, then back to Port Stephens.
I would stay at Port Stephens over Newcastle any day.

I would say hunter is about the same as newcastle - and is not a difficult drive. you can go via peats ridge for country drive, or stay on the freeway and take the cessnock exit.

http://www.winecountry.com.au/viewmap.aspx?mapid=15

Hi BigBlue,
I agree with the others, Port Stephens, and in particular Nelson Bay is the winner over Newcastle. Although having said that, you will find plenty to do almost anywhere along the coast north of Sydney. May I also suggest the Central Coast area? Terrigal, The Entrance, Budgewoi, only an hour's drive (or so) from Sydney. Or Lake Macquarie - Swansea, Belmont.
From Sydney, a trip to the Hunter Valley would be comparable in time to Nelson Bay, but a totally different experience.

If you're really into vineyards then the Hunter Valley is for you. If it's moi trying to get over jetlag then I would also recommend the Port Stephens area. There are whale and dolphin cruises and you may be able to look for koalas in their natural habitat. I think there is even a nudist colony in that area!

If you are going via the harbour tunnel make sure you have change for the tolls. Avoid the e-tag lane, not like yours truly.

Make sure you take the correct turnoff after the tunnel and not end up on the wrong motorway you can never seem to get off, not like yours truly. And don't miss the freeway turnoff before Hornsby, not like yours truly.

You may meet morning peak especially around the airport itself.

You should be right if you do not miss a sign, however miss one and you may be on a little unplanned adventure so have the map on hand.

Newcastle is actually a city easily accessible from Sydney, but nowhere near as big Sydney of course. Easy access to Hunter Valley and Port Stephens. Its not that bad though, its really lifted its act lately, good restaurants are popping up and it has some top surfing beaches. And some interesting old architecture both in city and surrounds. I wouldn't discount it for a night or two.

hear hear pat.

I don't know why, but it seems I'm always sticking up for the bashed cities first canberra, now newcastle.

I have spent a lot of time in newcastle and it's a top place - beaches beaches beaches, nice new marina and harbour foreshore walk, great cycle ways, lots of great cafes now (the junction, hamilton) as well. plus then you have lake macquarie and surrounds as well (not to mention it's close proximity to the wineries).

it used to have a unglamorous reputation (from the steelworks), but like so many places where that's the case, when people don't go, they're actually missing a gem. It's got a heap of character in my opinion and I like the novacastrian attitude - those that live there love it, they rarely leave and when they do they often return. to me they seem to have the attitude that they don't want to broadcast to all and sundry what a great place it is as then there'd be a heap more annoying city folk move there.

You could base in newcastle and even do day trips - hunter valley, port stephens, even up to the myall lakes area or barrington tops if you wanted. it is very easy to get to and I think would be a good balance of unwinding and having things to do as well.

i forgot - check out the visit newie website and decide for yourself.

http://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/

Hi BigBlue
If you are interested in staying in Port Stephens for a few nights, I suggest you check out www.portstephens.org.au - it's the website of the local tourism office, so has suggestions of things to do & see, and you can also book your accommodation on line if you wish.
As a local resident, I suggest this is an excellent base; there's plenty to do here for several days, or you can take a trip to Newcastle or Hunter Valley in a little more than an hour drive.
Happy travels, Di

It's been 20 years since I was last in Newcastle (Aus) and the only thing I remember I am sorry to say is a shop built like a giant sheep to sell wools?


However it is in my Lonely Planet. Pop: 270,300. Bad earthquake 1989. Steelworks closed in 1997, which lost jobs but made the city look better. Scenic old buildings. Regional museum. Scratchley Military and Martime museum, Regional art gallery. Blackbutt Reserve (wildlife) and a wetlands centre. A number of beaches. A replica steamship tour at 11am and 2pm on 3rd Sunday of month. A 45 minute tram ride tour. Jazz and arts festivals in March and August. There are places to stay, eat and live music.

kaneda, are you sure the Big Sheep was in Newcastle? The only one I know of(christened "Rambo") is in Goulburn, 200 km SW of Sydney. At least it used to be. I stopped visiting Goulburn several years ago - I was worried that the excitement would be bad for my heart.

lancefan, here's another vote for that other much-despised city, Newcastle. Where else would you see a surfie carrying his board down a city's main business street on his way to the beach? My daughters lived there for a couple of years and enjoyed the pub scene and the cafes of the Cooks Hill district, and my Newie-resident in-laws have a lifestyle that most Sydneysiders, if they only knew about it, would envy (as do Canberrans, but that's another story). The inner-city areas' hilly tree-lined streets and Victorian terrace houses give the city real character.

But I guess I'm talking about Newcastle as a place to live rather than a tourist attraction. I think Port Stephens would be very good for BigBlue's purposes.

Thanks to all for your very helpful and informational replies. It is interesting that no one is standing up and shouting in favor of the Hunter Valley.

We live close to the Napa Valley in California so we're used to wine country. The appeal of the Hunter Valley is Pepper's Convent which looks to be a great place to unwind after our flight.

The thing which we're considering most at the moment is going to Peppers and sleeping it off the first day. The second we would drive around the wine country. On the third we would do a day-trip over to Newcastle and Port Stephens. How does that sound?

Or, is the sentiment that we could find a comfortable place in Port Stephens and do a day-trip to the wine country?

Ta,
BigBlue

I would stay in the hunter rather than day trip - if you day trip, someone can't taste and drive! if you stay there, you can get merrily sloshed with your tastings. plenty of tours as well if you don't want to drive and not too expensive. Then day trip to PS would be my advice.

re peppers - again recently saw a review. basically said it was nice idea, but rooms not so fancy and open on to verandahs so noise could be an issue. it does look lovely though and is in a great spot - but then again, there are just so many options in the hunter you really are spoilt for choice.

BigBlue

Here is something a little different http://www.hawkesburyriver.com/escap...?t=r&id=14
Only 1 hr from the Airport. Not sure you'd want to leave but if you did the Hunter is only an hour up the freeway and port stephens 2hrs ... Food for thought

Cheers

Molly,
Thank You! I've been looking for something like this site on the Hawkesbury to send to a friend.
:)

Depends on what you like to do but if you like the beach, you cannot go past Port Stephens (Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, Fingal Bay). Port Stephens is about a 2 hour drive from Sydney (maybe a little more) - depending on whether you are staying North or South of Sydney. The Hunter Valley is an easy day trip from Port Stephens. What time of the year are you thinking of going? Australian school holidays are always quite busy - so from Christmas to end of January, or for a couple of weeks around Easter. Definately, Newcastle would NOT be my pick of a place to stay.

just wondering why newcastle would NOT be PRLCH's pick of place to stay. Surely Newcastle beaches are nothing to sneeze at?