Newcastle Airport serves Australia’s second-largest city in New South Wales and is located about 30 minutes north of the city centre near the town of Williamtown. It’s a growing airport with flights from several Australian cities, making it increasingly popular for visitors who want to bypass Sydney’s busy airport. The Hunter Valley wine region is just an hour away, and the city of Newcastle itself has plenty to offer with its beaches, arts scene and historic architecture.
Newcastle is a large city spread out over a decent area, and having a car makes getting around much easier. More importantly, the surrounding region has major attractions that are difficult to reach without one. The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions and is easily doable as a day trip. The Barrington Tops wilderness area is a couple of hours’ drive inland and offers completely different scenery – ancient forests, alpine peaks and excellent bushwalking.
Newcastle’s beaches are a highlight. Nobbys Beach, Merewether and Newcastle Beach are all popular with surfers and families. The Bathers Way walk from Nobbys to the Bogey Hole (a historic ocean pool) is a great introduction to the city’s coastline. The harbour area has been developed in recent years with restaurants and cafes.
The Hunter Valley is the obvious excursion. It’s Australia’s oldest wine region with over 150 wineries, many with excellent restaurants. The area is split into sub-regions – Pokolbin is the most built-up with the most cellar doors, while the Upper Hunter around Scone is more remote and known for horse breeding.
Barrington Tops is for those who want to get away from it all. The drive from Newcastle takes about 2.5 hours through the Williams and Wangat rivers to the high country. The forest here feels ancient and otherworldly, with Antarctic beech trees draped in moss. There are walks ranging from easy boardwalk strolls to challenging overnight hikes.
Newcastle Airport is about 30km north of Newcastle CBD. The drive to the Hunter Valley uses the M1 Pacific Highway and then the Hunter Expressway (A15), which is straightforward and well-signed. The drive to Barrington Tops is longer and involves winding mountain roads – allow extra time and watch for wildlife. Traffic in Newcastle can be busy during peak hours (7-9am, 4-6pm).
Car hire desks are at Newcastle Airport. Book early during vintage season (March-April in the Hunter) and school holidays. If you’re heading to Barrington Tops, consider a vehicle with good ground clearance – some roads are unsealed and can be rough. For the Hunter Valley, a standard sedan is fine, though many wineries have gravel driveways.
See all Australia car hire locations available through 365 Car Hire.