Caves Beach, Lake MacquarieCredit: Destination NSW
Sunrise from Caves Beach, Lake Macquarie.
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Take the coastal route from Sydney to Newcastle on the New South Wales North Coast and travel through relaxed towns brimming with artisan foodie delights for the après-beach crowd. Feel energised from a day surfing the waves followed by fish and chips on a picnic bench, or take a calming bushwalk before settling in for a breezy waterfront dining experience. When you find somewhere you love, book a room and stay a while.
Highlights:
- Eat fish and chips by the water at Woy Woy
- Sit in the pretty-as-a-picture garden of an Erina gin distillery
- Explore sea caves near Lake Macquarie
Amble up to Erina
Drive an hour north of Sydney and you cross the picturesque Hawkesbury River. Stop by the ‘shellar door’ at Broken Bay Pearl Farm in Mooney Mooney, just off the Pacific Motorway. Join a tour, cruise to the farm, watch pearl grading and browse the saltwater Akoya pearl jewellery.
When you’re all pearled out, drive half an hour on to Woy Woy, the gateway to the Central Coast of NSW. It’s a sleepy seaside town that’s become a foodie favourite. Stop for a takeaway lunch of fresh seafood at the Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf and enjoy eating by the water.
After a lazy lunch, you can head to Young Barons Italian café and store to stock up on goodies from regional NSW artisan suppliers and small wineries, as well as housemade pasta and tiramisu, to add to the road-trip esky (ice box). If you’d like to stay around, book a room at The Bayview, right in the middle of town, and spend the evening sipping cocktails at Frankies Rooftop Bar.
Otherwise, its onwards to Erina where Distillery Botanica should not be missed. Enjoy the peaceful garden with a Mr Goaty Gelato in hand, available from the onsite Botanica Bar, and grab a bottle of Moore’s Dry Gin from the distillery to take away. Also in Erina, you’ll find Salt Pig Deli, where baker Kev Severn has been perfecting his sourdough and pastries for several years. There’s also a great selection of cured meats and cheeses — more treats to pop in the picnic hamper.
Stop off at Avoca Beach
Detour 10 minutes down to Avoca Beach for a swim in the ocean. If you’re hungry, stop at eclectic surf shack Shady Palms, which opened in late 2020. There are four themed areas, including a beer garden and a beach bar diner, plus a stage for live music and a homewares store. That should keep you fairly busy before you need to push on 20 minutes north to Long Jetty, a once sleepy town that is fast gathering boho cred.
Pop into Shadow Bang to browse the selection of essential oils, natural skincare products and apothecary teas, and snap up some one-of-a-kind pre-loved clothes at Long Jetty Vintage. The Glass Onion Society gallery-café-music spot is a beacon of eclectic cool. The menu boasts smoothies, juices, burger, wraps and seriously good coffee; stay and soak up the laid-back Long Jetty vibe. Nearby, The Green Tangerine is an artisan bakery and café dishing up delicious wholesome breakfast and brunch.
Newcastle Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
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Newcastle Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
Distillery Botanica, Erina Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying ice-creams at Distillery Botanica, Erina.
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Distillery Botanica, Erina Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying ice-creams at Distillery Botanica, Erina.
Look around Lake Macquarie
From Long Jetty continue up the coast, where the beaches will beckon on the right and lakeside fun on the left. It’s only about an hour’s drive from Long Jetty to the top of Lake Macquarie, the largest saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere, but it may take you a while to get there.
The lake’s attractions include kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, boating and fishing. On the coast, the sea caves at Caves Beach are great fun at low tide, while the broad expanse of Redhead Beach is popular for swimming and fishing. You can snorkel at Catherine Hill Bay, and Blacksmiths Beach is protected by a breakwall offering a safe swimming inlet. From the north end of Lake Macquarie, it’s only 25 minutes’ drive to Newcastle.
Explore Newcastle...
Newcastle is the second-largest city in NSW and has some outstanding heritage architecture and a buzzing scene around its fast-rejuvenating wharf areas.
Stroll down to the Art Deco Newcastle Ocean Baths to cool off with a dip. Nearby, Estabar does a great trade with the brunch crowd, thanks to a menu based on fresh local produce, or you can just grab a housemade gelato to go. For dinner, Scotties, less than five minutes’ walk from the baths, serves innovative seafood dishes and takeaway fish and chips.
And stay the night
Just down the street from Scotties, settle in under the high ceilings and Art Deco tiling of the former Tooheys brewery keg and grain warehouse and choose from some 21 taps pouring Australian independent craft brews at The Grain Store.
Grab some pastries from Uprising Bakery in Maryville, a 10-minute drive from the city centre. If you’re here on Sunday morning, be sure to head to the Newcastle City Farmers Market at the showground, where you can pick up some excellent fresh produce and locally made wines.
Splash out on a night in Newcastle’s first five-star hotel, Kingsley (opening April 2021). Or for a classic Aussie beachside holiday, NRMA Stockton Beach Holiday Park ticks all the boxes and is set right on the beach.
Before you leave Newcastle, restock the esky (ice box) with local cured meats and antipasto from King Street Deli and Bar in the city centre. From here, it’s just a two-hour drive back to Sydney (unless, of course, you opt for the longer coastal route).
Note: Newcastle Ocean Baths are currently under refurbishment and will be closed until mid 2023.
Estabar, Newcastle Credit: Destination NSW
Food and drink available from Estabar beachfront cafe in Newcastle.
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Estabar, Newcastle Credit: Destination NSW
Food and drink available from Estabar beachfront cafe in Newcastle.
The Grain Store Craft Beer Cafe, Newcastle Credit: Destination NSW
The Grain Store Craft Beer Cafe, Newcastle
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The Grain Store Craft Beer Cafe, Newcastle Credit: Destination NSW
The Grain Store Craft Beer Cafe, Newcastle
More Inspirational Stories
Horse Riding, Jindabyne, Snowy MountainsCredit: Destination NSW
Horse riding in Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains. For media use only in Australian markets to promote NSW.
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Set course for adventure in Jindabyne, a quaint lakeside town in the foothills of New South Wales’ Snowy Mountains, and a great base camp for an energising, nature-based holiday. Delight in a range of exciting seasonal experiences, from action-packed days on the snow to summertime hikes that will leave you feeling fresh.
Pick your own adventure
There's an array of activities on your doorstep in Jindabyne – a five-hour drive southwest of Sydney. In warm weather, get your blood pumping on a mountain bike ride, or try your hand at rock climbing with K7 Adventures. Travelling when the mercury drops? Relish in the wintry scenery on one of K7’s snow-shoe expeditions. Alternatively, get a natural high on a guided horse trek at Snowy Wilderness Resort, set on more than 6,500 acres of awe-inspiring alpine high country just south of Jindabyne.
There’s also a whole lot of adventure to uncover in Kosciuszko National Park during summer. Revel in the sense of achievement hiking the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest point at 2,228m elevation – it’s an 18.6km return trail from Charlotte Pass, so plan on spending a full day (six to eight hours) out in nature. If you’d prefer a shorter walk, the serene Rainbow Lake walk is a 2.4km-return trail that boasts stunning wildflowers during springtime.
Post-activity, take a deep breath and calm your mind during a hatha yoga session at Jai Yoga. Then further reward your day’s efforts with a celebratory schnapps made at Wildbrumby, which has a distillery door and restaurant overlooking a sculpture garden. Prefer a beer? Jindabyne Brewing bar and tasting room has views across Lake Jindabyne – find a scenic perch and enjoy the ultimate taste of the region as you sip. Another option for a refreshing swig of beer is Kosciuszko Brewery. Located at Jindabyne’s Banjo Patterson Inn, it’s the perfect spot to unwind after an exhilarating day of adventure activities.
Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
Hiking in Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains For media use only in Australian markets to promote NSW.
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Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
Hiking in Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains For media use only in Australian markets to promote NSW.
Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery, Crackenback Credit: Destination NSW
The Wildbrumby Distillery & Cafe is a unique, boutique schnapps distillery located on the Alpine Way in the picturesque Thredbo Valley,
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Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery, Crackenback Credit: Destination NSW
The Wildbrumby Distillery & Cafe is a unique, boutique schnapps distillery located on the Alpine Way in the picturesque Thredbo Valley,
Try out the local dining scene
Follow your nose to the delectable range of oven-fresh breakfast pastries on offer at Nimmitabel Bakery. The aroma of freshly brewed Axis Roasters coffee is just as difficult to resist at Birchwood, where you can also fill up before a big day in the great outdoors on cheese toasties, muesli bowls, moreish breakfast salads and more.
Self-catering? Head to The Market. At this part café, part market, you can choose between sinking your teeth into wholesome dishes or grabbing organic fruit and veggies and specialty grocery items to take away.
Cosy up at the end of the day at Bacco Italian Restaurant, which has been preparing pizzas and pastas for more than 25 years; kids are well catered for with a dedicated menu of tasty bites. Or take your palate on its own adventure at much-loved Cafe Darya, which dishes up welcoming Persian favourites including dips, pastries and stews. Pair zingy tacos with lip-smacking margaritas at Cucina Grill & Cantina, and treat your travelling companion to an intimate Japanese dinner at Takayama; kick off a memorable meal with a serving of succulent pork gyoza with ponzu dipping sauce.
Stay in quintessential Snowies lodging
Lean into farm life at Avonside Alpine Estate, a dreamy off-grid farm stay with a vegetable garden, chickens, sheep and highland cattle. The two- and three-bedroom cottages unite Scandi style with sustainable design, and boast calming country vistas, too.
Be soothed by the snow gums surrounding Ecocrackenback, just outside of Jindabyne, as you warm up by the fire in one of its 18 self-contained cabins. Or soak up the similarly scenic setting at Moonbah Hut, which offers two charming timber cottages near Jindabyne that sleep four or five guests. With one hut set on a lake and the other by a river, you can begin or end a summer's day with an invigorating dip, while the stone fireplaces, underfloor heating and exposed beams make the cottages feel particularly snug during the winter months.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service manages a number of lodges throughout Kosciuszko National Park, including Creel Lodge. Here you can bask in serene Lake Jindabyne views from the breakfast table. As the moon rises over the lake, indulge in the nostalgic pastime of roasting marshmallows over the outdoor fireplace for dessert.
Lake Crackenback, Thredbo Credit: Destination NSW
Kangaroos at Lake Crackenback, Thredbo.
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Lake Crackenback, Thredbo Credit: Destination NSW
Kangaroos at Lake Crackenback, Thredbo.
Lake Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views of Lake Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains.
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Lake Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views of Lake Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains.