Neds Beach, Lord Howe IslandCredit: Destination NSW
People stand up paddleboarding off Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island.
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Snorkel over a coral reef, surf a point break or kayak a calm lagoon. Whatever your favourite water sport, the clear, clean waters of Lord Howe Island, a 2.5-hour flight from Sydney, are the perfect place to take the plunge. Only 400 visitors are allowed at any time on this crescent-shaped UNESCO World Heritage-listed island (it’s just 11km long by 2km wide), making it the ultimate aquatic getaway.
Find the perfect surf break
Love to surf? Bring your board to Lord Howe Island and catch some waves at the island’s surf spots. The east of the island is studded with beach breaks, including Neds Beach and Blinky Beach, considered by many to be the best break on the island. Middle Beach, a classic point break, is also popular. The western side of the island has a number of alluring reef breaks, including Salmon Beach, Lovers Bay and Lagoon Beach, but these involve a long paddle out.
Head out on a kayak
The calm waters of Lord Howe’s lagoon suit beginners as well as experienced kayakers. Pack a picnic and head out to North Bay, a secluded white-sand beach not accessible by road. Or bring a snorkel, pull up at one of the moorings that mark the island’s most popular snorkelling spots, and go looking for turtles, stingrays and colourful fish. If you are feeling more adventurous, join a guided kayaking trip with Lord Howe Environmental Tours to nearby Roach Island, known for its birdlife.
Set sail for a new perspective
Some of the best views of Lord Howe can only be enjoyed from the water. Try a boating excursion with Reef N Beyond Eco Tours to Balls Pyramid, the world’s tallest sea stack, which stands more than 550m above the waves. On your way there, keep an eye out for whales and dolphins. You might also spot petrels and albatross soaring above the Pyramid. If you’re a keen angler, you can drink in the views on a fishing charter with Sea to Summit Expeditions — expect to catch plenty of kingfish, alongside wahoo, cod or tuna.
Lord Howe Island Highlights. Credit: Destination NSW
Highlights reel of footage from Lord Howe Island.
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Lord Howe Island Highlights. Credit: Destination NSW
Highlights reel of footage from Lord Howe Island.
Kayaking, Lord Howe Island Credit: Mark Fitzpatrick; Destination NSW
Kayaks lined up on Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island.
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Kayaking, Lord Howe Island Credit: Mark Fitzpatrick; Destination NSW
Kayaks lined up on Neds Beach, Lord Howe Island.
Discover an underwater world
Hawksbill turtles, stingrays, wrasse and angelfish are just some of the species that flourish on Lord Howe’s thriving coral reef, the most southerly coral reef in the world. Sheltered coral gardens at Lagoon Beach and Erscotts Hole are popular with beginners; for something more adventurous, try a night snorkel with Lord Howe Environmental Tours. The calm lagoon is also a great place to learn to dive, so it’s worth booking an introductory course with Pro Dive. Experienced divers can choose from more than 100 dive sites around the island, including the Tenth of June Bombora, where you’ll swim among soft corals, black cod and butterfly fish; and Balls Pyramid, where you’ll see massive schools of kingfish and trevally.
Pick your paddle spot
Never tried stand-up paddle boarding (SUP)? The island’s tranquil lagoon is the perfect spot to give it a go, and the ultra-clear waters allow you to keep an eye out for passing turtles. If you’ve had plenty of practice at SUP, you may want to head for one of the island’s beach breaks to give surf SUP a go. Ordinary SUP is a meditative experience, but surf SUP is a thrill a minute. Make it easy on yourself by catching the first few waves while kneeling. Once you’ve got a feel for it, you can try surfing in while standing up.
Scuba Diving, Lord Howe Island Credit: Jordan Robins
Scuba diver exploring the coral gardens surrounding Lord Howe Island.
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Scuba Diving, Lord Howe Island Credit: Jordan Robins
Scuba diver exploring the coral gardens surrounding Lord Howe Island.
Stand-up Paddleboarding, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW
Family stand-up paddleboarding at Lagoon Beach on Lord Howe Island with Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird as the backdrop.
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Stand-up Paddleboarding, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW
Family stand-up paddleboarding at Lagoon Beach on Lord Howe Island with Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird as the backdrop.
Newcastle Memorial Walk, NewcastleCredit: Destination NSW
The scenic coastline of the city of Newcastle with views of Merewether beach.
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Golden beaches, postcard-perfect ocean pools, a busy harbour and intriguing history make New South Wales’ second-largest city, Newcastle, a favourite travel destination just 170km north of Sydney. It’s also the gateway to some of the state’s best wines, 50km northwest in the Hunter region, and yet more beaches and whale-watching waters in Port Stephens, 60km to the northeast. Regardless of whether you’re a gourmand, adventure enthusiast or lover of luxury, here is a guide to discovering Newcastle— and beyond.
Newcastle
Take a dip in Bogey Hole: There are more than 100 ocean baths across New South Wales, but none are quite as enticing— or important— as Newcastle’s Bogey Hole. Thought to be the oldest of its kind in Australia, this sea-fed pool was cut into the rocks off Shepherds Hill by convicts in 1819. Splash about in the turquoise water, or soak up views of the coastline from any number of cliffside perches; just arrive early in summer, as it’s a popular place to cool off.
Get cultural in Cooks Hill: The inner-city neighbourhood of Cooks Hill is distinguished by its lovely leafy streets, lined with grand Victorian mansions and timber cottages home to some of the city’s most happening restaurants, bars and cafes. In between you’ll discover the Newcastle Art Gallery (with a collection of more than 6,000 works), bookshops and independent galleries. Small wonder it draws an eclectic crowd.
Explore the Honeysuckle precinct: Once a busy industrial area, the Honeysuckle precinct has been reinvented as Newcastle’s hippest waterfront hangout. Many visit to walk, cycle or rollerblade along foreshore promenades— many more arrive to gaze over the busy harbour from buzzing restaurants and bars. You’ll also find the Newcastle Museum here, hosting an exciting calendar of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Stay a stone’s throw from the ocean as well as the city’s attractions at Novotel Newcastle Beach, featuring contemporary and well-appointed guestrooms and modern Australian dining at Bistro Dalby.
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.
Camel Riding, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset camel riding experience with in Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
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Camel Riding, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset camel riding experience with in Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
Port Stephens
Cruise out to see whales: Every year between May and November, more than 25,000 humpback and southern right whales steam up and down Australia’s east coast on their annual migration. While you’ll likely spot them breaching and blowing from the shore (the headland in Tomaree National Park is an ideal lookout), there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as getting within a flipper of these majestic creatures on a cruise— there are a number of Port Stephens operators to choose from.
Stay and dine at Bannisters: The retro Salamander Shores motel was a Port Stephens icon for decades— it’s been reborn as Bannisters Port Stephens, its 80 barefoot-luxe rooms and suites done up in a coastal palette of blue and white. Slide into the infinity pool overlooking the glittering bay, dine on fresh seafood by celebrated chef Rick Stein or explore the national parkland and crystal-clear waterways that characterise the Port Stephens region.
Discover the sand dunes: The longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere, the Stockton Sand Dunes reach heights of more than 40 metres, their steep sides often hitting an incline of 60 degrees. Speed freaks will want to sign up for dune surfing or a quad-bike tour, while more leisurely ways to explore the area include camel rides and cultural tours, visiting ancient Aboriginal sites while learning about bush foods.
Hunter Valley
More than 6,000 trees, 60,000 shrubs, and a million other plants and bulbs create a floral wonderland at the Hunter Valley Gardens. Across the 14 hectares there are 8km of walking trails, leading to cool waterfalls and themed areas, including an Italian grotto and the Storybook Garden, taking you on a journey through childhood fantasies. After wandering the grounds, pop in to Harrigan’s Irish-themed bistro for a glass of Hunter Valley wine and the signature beef-and-Guinness pot pie.
Stay and dine at Spicers Guesthouse: Set in the heart of the Hunter Valley— arguably the state’s premier wine region— Spicers Guesthouse is the ultimate country retreat, from the elegant manor house to the stylish rooms. After a day hopping between cellar doors, return for a dip in the infinity pool overlooking native bushland, and a meal at modern-Italian éRemo Restaurant, its menu showcasing the region’s finest producers.
Take a tour: Leave your car behind at your hotel and explore the Hunter Valley’s top wineries on a bespoke tour. The range of offerings is diverse, from chauffeured vintage vehicles cruising between cellar doors— perhaps with an indulgent lunch included— to soaring above the vines at sunrise in a hot-air balloon, with a champagne breakfast when you touch down.
Note: The Newcastle Art Gallery is currently closed for major refurbishments and will reopen in 2024.
Zenith Beach, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Zenith Beach, Port Stephens.
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Zenith Beach, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Zenith Beach, Port Stephens.
Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the manicured hedges of the Border Garden located in the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.
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Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the manicured hedges of the Border Garden located in the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.