What To Do (and Where To Eat) on a Daytrip From Sydney to Newcastle

Nothing’s better than a holiday. No work, wandering somewhere new, a detour from the day-to-day – yes, please. And you don’t have to go far, either – book a daytrip, why don’t you?

You’re spoilt whichever way you drive from Sydney, but heading northwards to Newcastle delivers the spoils of nature and the promise of excellent dining.

Don’t have your own set of wheels? The Avis app is a fast, easy way to get on the road: manage the rental, choose to pay later, extend or shift dates, and enjoy flexibility with no cancellation fees at your fingertips.

Once you’re in the car and buckled up, all you need to do is drive. Here’s where to go (and stop on the way).

Morning coffee

After your breezy Avis car collection, start with a caffeine run at Stitch Coffee in Ultimo. House-roasted beans in a flat white, or a White Rabbit, the cream-topped cold brew signature? Grab a freshly baked bagel too, then snake out to the M1 motorway and start heading straight up the east coast.

80 Bay Street, Ultimo
@stitch.coffee

Hot tip: leave early enough for a mid-morning stop on the Central Coast.

Markets and gelato

If it’s the fourth Sunday of the month, take the Gosford exit and make moves to Avoca Beachside Markets, the community-spirited event that’s taken over the lakeside park for more than 15 years. From 9am till 2pm, you’ll find arty or vintage treasures to bring back in the boot at prices to make city slickers weep, along with local honey, tarot readings and hand-poured candles. Plus, find freshly squeezed lemonade, spinach-filled gozleme hot off the grill, hefty corn fritters and more.

Heazlett Park Foreshore, Avoca Beach

Still around at 11am? Grab a small-batch scoop or two from Spoonys Gelato Shop. The beachside newcomer is run by couple Dan and Julia Hughes, who moved to the coast from Sydney 10 years ago. The pair have been making gelato for even longer, with their cow’s milk gelatos spanning the classics (chocolate, fior di latte, hazelnut) to the inventive (matcha mint choc-chip, local honey-spiked hokey pokey, banana split), along with a range of dairy-free, vegan sorbets (think Aperol spritz, garden lemon and ever-changing seasonal fruits). Two scoops, of course – you’re on holiday.

173 Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach
@spoonysgelatoshop

Beach, please

The journey continues on the freeway. Take the Tuggerah exit, beelining to Bateau Bay. Nab a park at the slightly secluded beach in Wyrrabalong National Park, before taking the stairs down along a bushy track. You’ll be rewarded by crystal-clear water that’s often flat – ideal snorkelling conditions. Explore the rock pools, then jump into your Avis hire for some snacks.

Bateau Bay Beach Access, Bateau Bay

More coffee

Grab a toastie (garlicky mushroom and haloumi, or a hefty Reuben) and a Supreme-beans coffee (or maple cold brew) from Blackfinn Coffee Crew at Killarney Vale to tide you over. It has an outpost in Toukley, too – you can do a quick hike out to Norah Head Lighthouse for vistas up the coast.

1/110 Wyong Road, Killarney Vale
283 Main Street, Toukley
@blackfinnespresso

Next stop is Newcastle. From Norah Head, take the slightly longer coastal route up the Central Coast Highway, swapping the motorway for beaches and bush as you zip northwards.

A full, proper meal

Looking for a nice sit-down affair? Head to Humbug to do the Italian dance: granita-topped oysters then focaccia then pasta then perfect ricotta doughnuts. Or, get in the Parisian mood with comforting dishes sent out of the woodfired Bistro Penny kitchen. Or cruise through rounds of fried cod, spit-roasted pork and salsa macha-topped cheese tacos at Papalote, before garlicky hanger steaks and smoky Mexi-style chook.

87-89 Hunter Street, Newcastle
@humbugnewcastle

8-10 Bolton Street, Newcastle East
@bistropenny

148 Parry Street, Newcastle West
@papalotemexican

Otherwise, chef Will O’Brien’s Arno Deli keeps it casual and tasty with hefty Florence-style sangas. Inspired by the icon that is the original All’Antico Vinaio, this panini palace is a Newy fave. Airy slabs of just-baked bread are sliced and stuffed with mortadella, pistachio crema and stracciatella, or thin-sliced apple, avo, iceberg, cucumber and chilli peppers. There’s a particularly good saucy number laden with eggplant, olives, vodka-spiked sugo and mozzarella. Grab a curbside table, or get it to go and zoom to Merewether.

181 King Street, Newcastle
@arno.deli

One last splash

Park up and eat your sanga with a view over the largest ocean pool in the southern hemisphere. Merewether Pool’s beauty is all retro charm and salty locals – a dip is a must before you hit the road home.

But, if you’re loving your “holiday” and want to delay the trip home, you can – jump on the Avis App and easily add an extra day to your rental.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Avis.