The Pacific Coast Of Australia in 5 Days - Part 2
Brisbane to Sydney Road Trip Only Gets Better!
Days 4-5 of the Brisbane to Sydney road trip were some of my favourites. If you missed Days 1-3, read Part 1 right here! And remember, I have only just scratched the surface. There are many wonderful highlights along the way for you to create happy holiday memories with your family.
The Ultimate Itinerary From Brisbane to Sydney
Road-tripping with kids can be fun however, the secret to successful travel with kids is to plan ahead and limit car time to just a few hours each day. Long journeys are best done at night while children are sleeping.
Itinerary From Brisbane To Sydney – Part 2
This 5-day road trip from Brisbane to Sydney is broken into two separate posts (see Part 1 here) because there are plenty of great things to do along the way. Don’t forget to take tons of photographs to look back on in the years to come. Kids grow up way too fast! This destination guide is packed with great things to do for the whole family as well as places to eat and stay.
Day 4 – Old Bar – Newcastle NSW
Day 4 – Old Bar – Newcastle
Drive Time – 2.15 hours
Lunch – The Press Book House
Dinner – Stockton RSL
Accommodation – Stockton Beach Holiday Park
Getting There
Newcastle is located near the heart of the Hunter Valley wine-growing region, bordered by the stunning Australian coastline and home to more gorgeous beaches. Situated only 2 hours from Sydney, this vibrant, gentrified city has moved from a working class to a trendy metropolis with flourishing bars, cafes and hip warehouse redevelopments.
Get On A Bike
Hire an electric bike from one of the 9 Bykko docking stations sectioned across Newcastle City and head to The Press Book House on Hunter Street for lunch.
The Press Book House is also the place to go for a quality cup of coffee, and dessert and it’s the favourite bookstore in town too.
Things to Do at Newcastle NSW
Newcastle Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral Tower is one of Newcastle’s most iconic buildings. Climb to the top to enjoy the 360-degree uninterrupted views of Newcastle.
Ride your bike to Wharf Road docking station near Queens Wharf Tower to join the Seascapes to Laneways Walking Tour, where you can explore the harbour and walk through the backstreets of Newcastle East. Along the way, you will learn about the war and convict sites and historic Newcastle Ocean Baths on the Tasman Sea.
Or embark on a True Crime Guided Tour around Newcastle’s oldest and most historic areas and learn about the city’s dark and violent past. Retrace the steps of infamous criminals, and venture down prominent streets and dark alleys.
After an ice cream stop, the tour explores inner-city Newcastle, where you will learn the age of buildings and see how these buildings are used in modern and interesting ways. The tour includes a stop at The Lock Up which once housed the Newcastle police station and cells from 1861 until 1982. Today, The Lock Up has been preserved as a contemporary gallery. The tour finishes back at Queen’s Wharf.
Dudley Beach
If walking tours aren’t your thing head to Dudley Beach. Only locals know about the mini blowhole and rock pool near Dudley Beach. The rock pool and surrounding bushland make for a picturesque setting all year round.
Where to Stay in Newcastle NSW
NRMA Stockton Beach Holiday Park is located just metres from the beach. The park offers a range of beachfront sites and accommodation just a short ferry ride to the city centre. Featuring an excellent patrolled swimming beach along with great fishing and surfing.
45 minutes north of the city of Newcastle, Sand Dune Adventures offers family activities – camel rides, quad bike riding and sand boarding on Stockton Sand Dunes, Williamtown.
Fork Talk
Family Bistro Dining
Just 500 metres from Stockton Beach Holiday Park is The Legends Bistro at Stockton RSL which serves Asian and Australian cuisine for lunch and dinner every day.
Day 5 – Newcastle – Sydney NSW
Drive Time – 2.15 hours
Lunch – Sydney Markets
Dinner – Mizuya Japanese Restaurant & Karaoke
Accommodation – ‘Roar & Snore’, Taronga Park or Cockatoo Island Camping
Getting There
NSW’s capital city is a sightseeing wonderland. Ditch the car, purchase a Opal transport card and put on comfortable walking shoes.
Great Things To Do In Sydney NSW
Sydney Taronga Zoo
No visit to Sydney is complete without a sunset cruise on the spectacular harbour. You can purchase a combo ticket that includes a Sydney Harbour Cruise with Taronga Zoo Entry. Take a ferry directly from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo, located in the suburb of Mosman.
This is a great opportunity to see some of Australia’s distinct wildlife and striking views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Advance booking can get you up close with koalas or stay overnight at the ‘Roar & Snore’ glamping site in the zoo.
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Depending on what rocks your boat, Sydney has a fabulous list of attractions like the IMAX Theatre, Taronga Park Zoo, Luna Park, Maritime Museum and Aquarium or perhaps get high in the sky in the Sydney Tower Eye with 360-degree aerial views of the city.
Sydney Parks and Gardens
Enjoy a day of ferry hopping to explore the famous Sydney beaches and attractions like Wendy Whitley’s Secret Garden near Lavender Bay, North Sydney and Luna Park nearby. Your kids will be spoilt for playground choice, no matter what their age.
At Fairfield Adventure Park this super large park is overflowing with fun and excitement. The flying fox and 11-metre-tall spider web-climbing frame are a big hit as well as the giant swing. Sydney park, St Peters and Blaxland Riverside Park, Homebush will keep your brood happy for hours.
Where to Stay in Sydney NSW
Accommodation styles are endless in Sydney including camping at Cockatoo Island, the world’s only inner-city waterfront campsite. Most city hotels and apartments cater for families and offer special deals including breakfast.
Food Talk
Sydney offers a huge variety of family-friendly eating options. Head to the fresh food markets and take advantage of the great outdoor locations around the city. You’ll find most hotels, restaurants, cafes and pubs cater for kids and some offer great value early-bird deals in the evenings for families.
We all know how important it is to build childhood memories so why not let your hair down and singalong with the kids. Mizuya Japanese Restaurant & Karaoke on George street combines a family-friendly dining experience in one of the 24 private karaoke rooms. You can choose from a selection of 200,000+ songs in 4 different languages. At night, there is a $30 minimum spend plus $3 per person room hire. Friday and Saturday nights are a minimum spend of $45 plus $10 per person. Kids under 4 are free and children from ages 4 to 8 are half price.
Secret Sydney Nature Spots
Sydney has many hidden gems just waiting for you to discover. NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services has written a great article called “Hidden Sydney Nature Spots” that is worth reading. Click HERE.
See Part 1 | 5 Day Family Friendly Road-Trip | Brisbane To Sydney | Click Below
It’s an incredible road-trip and I highly recommend everyone sees this part of Australia at least once in their lives. Save your time and energy researching and planning, this itinerary won’t disappoint you or your family. It ticks all the holiday boxes! Safe travels. Click here to read Part 1.
Brisbane GetYourGuide | Activities, Attractions, Tickets and Tours
Experience the enchantment of the Australia Zoo during a guided day excursion that includes admission tickets and convenient transportation from Brisbane. Witness the charm of Australia’s distinctive wildlife as you engage with the zoo’s interactive exhibits and captivating live presentations.
GetYourGuide offers a variety of services, including the sale of tours and outings, engaging activities like cooking classes, as well as tickets to popular tourist attractions.
- Pickup and drop-off from select hotels
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
- Australia Zoo entry ticket
More Qld Blogs
Check out these Queensland Blogs and Adventures!
- Fitzroy Island – Cairns Far North Queensland
- Macalister Brewing Company – Cairns
- Things to Do on the Gold Coast
I am the Progressive Traveller. I've been travelling the world extensively since 2002. My website is full of travel stories, tips, recommendations, resources, offers for you to use and enjoy. Follow my journey on social media and travel the world with me. Happy days.
