North Coast Getaways
Within a few hours drive of Sydney lie stretches of golden sand and empty beaches on NSW’s Mid-North Coast. The region is bursting with beautiful coves and bays lined with cute townships, charming restaurants and pubs. Not to mention the trendy spots popping up all over the laid-back beach town of Newcastle (one of Lonely Planet’s top cities for 2011, no less!). Get exploring this chillaxed region now and discover your own little piece of NSW paradise.
Driving time from Sydney:
Newcastle: 2 hrs
Port Stephens: 3 hrs
Shoal Bay: 3 hrs
Diamond Beach: 4 hrs
Top Tips:
- Dolphin watching at Nelson Bay – it’s not called dolphin capital of Oz for nothing and as daggy as it sounds you KNOW you are going to love it.
- Take a sunset stroll - Avoid the crowds and take your sweetheart for a sunset stroll along Elizabeth beach in Foster – absolutely stunning and heaps of room for a cheeky kiss.
- Get adventurous AND back to nature - Finish the debate about who should drive and both get behind the engine with a quad bike eco tour on the Stockton beach sand dunes.
- Splash out - on a luxe stay at Peppers Anchorage in Nelson Bay. Make sure you pay the spa a long visit while you are there!
- Aww shucks what a good idea - Nip away for a dirty weekend at Port Stephens and take in the view at Holbert’s Oyster Farm in Salamander Bay while sampling their freshly shucked, award winning produce.
- Earn your surfing stripes – take on the surf breaks at Newcastle. Not a surfer? Not a problem, there are many professionals ready to give you a hand with a surf school.
- Take your taste buds on their own holiday – visit Ritual restaurant in Nelson Bay. It’s not featured in the SMH Good Food Guide for being ordinary, this restaurant is a must for foodies.
- Stretch your legs - with one of the many walking tracks in the Tomaree National Park. Take a picnic to the eastern edge at Shoal Bay and take some time to soak in the views.
- Pack your LBD – and mingle with the hip crowd at Bacchus. A renovated old theatre and THE place for Cocktails and tapas in Newcastle.
- Satisfy your consumer cravings – and find yourself something unique along the way at the Boutique shopping & cute cafes on Darby St, Newcastle. Make sure you stop at the Coco Monde Chocolateria for some delicious refuelling.
Browse more Weekend getaways and Romantic getaways.