Hunter Valley, Newcastle and Port Stephens – Head out on the highway

With international restrictions still in place, travellers are turning to self-drive holidays to satisfy their itchy feet while exploring far closer to home. A new road trip tool created by Tourism Australia is designed to help locals discover and plan their break.

The website includes a dynamic landing page that allows travellers to filter featured trips based on their unique requirements, as well as an interactive map that allows for a more visual exploration of the trips in your state.
Itineraries have been put together for every state and territory of Australia, varying in length from one to 16 days.

Many of the trips are distinctly themed, making it even easier for travellers to find just what they are looking for, whether it’s a food and wine pilgrimage or a journey filled with shopping, design and art.

There’s budget road trips and family travels, as well as both inland and coastal drives.

The highlights of the Hunter are on show during the nine-day “Legendary Pacific Coast” drive, which covers 1000 kilometres from Sydney to Brisbane along the picturesque east coast of Australia.

Suggested local stops include a swim at the historic Merewether Ocean Baths, the largest ocean pool complex in the Southern Hemisphere, an overnight stay and café breakfast in Newcastle, as well as a swim at Nobbys Beach, followed by a leisurely trip to Pokolbin where you can enjoy the fruits of the world-renowned wine region before an overnight stay in an elegantly restored heritage hotel.

The tour then heads east to the blue water wonderland of Port Stephens, where it encourages you to explore the region’s top tourism experiences including whale watching cruises, swimming at one of the area’s 26 stunning beaches and exploring the largest moving coastal dunes in the southern hemisphere, before enjoying a well-earned rest overnight.

Once it leaves the Hunter the tour takes in some of the most picturesque destinations along the east coast, including Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast hinterland before making its way to the city streets of Brisbane.

To start planning your next road trip visit https://www.australia.com/en/trips-and-itineraries/self-drive-itineraries.html