Winner of Newcastle's Best Tourism Experience 2026 and rated 5.0 from 118 Tripadvisor reviews. See the best of three destinations in three days: Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens. This small group tour departs central Sydney on Wednesdays and is run by the award winning local team at Newy Tour Co, with a private transfer from Sydney for your small group tour, two nights at a 4 star Newcastle hotel with breakfast, and a guided tour every day with a maximum of 11 guests.
Highlights:
- Three regions in three days: Newcastle, Hunter Valley wine country and Port Stephens - Small group, maximum 11 guests, with passionate local guides - Two nights at Holiday Inn Express Newcastle with breakfast - Lunch included on Day 2 and Day 3 - Three premium wine tastings, plus a dolphin or whale cruise
One price covers it all: three guided tours, two nights' accommodation, two breakfasts, two lunches, every tasting fee and your cruise.
Day 1, Wednesday: Sydney to Newcastle. 9:00 AM pick up from your choice of two central Sydney locations: Christ Church St Laurence, 812 George St, or The Obelisk, Macquarie Place Park, corner Loftus & Bridge St. A private transfer for your small group tour takes you direct to Newcastle, approximately 2.5 hours. Everyone on your departure travels together in the one vehicle, so the transfer is shared with your fellow guests (maximum 11). Arrive around 11:30 AM, drop your bags at Holiday Inn Express Newcastle and enjoy free time for lunch (own cost). At 2:00 PM you'll be picked up from the hotel for Discover Newcastle: Coastal Charms & City Secrets, a 3 hour guided tour by minivan. This 18 km scenic loop takes in the city highlights across five stops, including guided visits to Fort Scratchley, Christ Church Cathedral, the Bogey Hole (an ocean pool carved by convicts in 1819) and Hickson St Lookout, plus a leisurely stroll along the Memorial Walk. Newcastle is Australia's second oldest city, and your local guide brings its convict and wartime stories to life. Return to the hotel around 5:00 PM to check in, with the evening at leisure.
Day 2, Thursday: Hunter Valley wine country. After hotel breakfast you'll be picked up between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM for our Boutique Hunter Valley Wine Tour. The Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine region, about an hour's drive from Newcastle, and we have hand selected the best vineyards, from international labels with ancient vines to charming family run estates. Enjoy three premium sit down wine tastings, including one paired with cheese, chocolate or small bites, plus a vodka, gin and liqueur tasting. Lunch is among the vines at The Farm, 4 Pines, with a meal and your choice of drink included. Alternatives without alcohol are available at no extra cost. You'll be dropped back to your hotel around 5:30 PM.
Day 3, Friday: Port Stephens. After hotel breakfast and check out, you'll be picked up with your bags for a full day tour of Port Stephens. The day includes a guided hike up Tomaree Mountain in Tomaree National Park (an alternative flat walk is available), a boat cruise, and a seafood lunch by the water, chosen from a select menu and included.
November to May, Coastal Town & Dolphin Cruise: pick up between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM, a 1.5 hour catamaran cruise in search of bottlenose dolphins, an optional swim at calm Little Beach and a craft brewery visit on the way back. Drop off is around 4:00 PM.
June to October, Whale Migration & Vistas: pick up between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, a 2.5 hour cruise in search of migrating humpback whales with expert commentary, and views of the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Drop off is around 5:00 PM.
The tour finishes with a drop off at Newcastle Airport, Newcastle Interchange (trains to Sydney) or back in Newcastle if you are staying on in the city. If you are flying out, we recommend booking a flight departing Newcastle Airport after 6:00 PM.
Your hotel: two nights at Holiday Inn Express Newcastle, a modern 4 star hotel at 514 King Street, Newcastle West, a short walk from Newcastle Interchange and close to the Honeysuckle waterfront dining precinct. Rooms are twin share with either one queen bed or two single beds, and have air conditioning, a private bathroom, fridge, tea and coffee and free Wi-Fi. Express Start breakfast is included each morning, and the hotel has a 24/7 fitness centre and self service guest laundry.
Inclusions: private transfer for your small group tour from central Sydney to Newcastle (shared with the other guests on your departure), two nights at Holiday Inn Express Newcastle with breakfast, the Discover Newcastle tour, the Hunter Valley wine tour with all tasting fees and lunch (a meal and your choice of drink), the Port Stephens tour with whale or dolphin cruise and a seafood lunch, passionate local guides, comfortable air conditioned minibus transport and water bottles.
Not included: lunch on Day 1, dinners, optional accommodation on the third night and onward travel from Newcastle.
After the tour: you finish in Newcastle on the afternoon of Day 3. You can fly out from Newcastle Airport, take the train from Newcastle Interchange to Sydney Central (about 2.5 to 3 hours, tickets are around $10 and do not need to be bought in advance), stay on with an extra night at Holiday Inn Express Newcastle, or take a private car transfer back to Sydney. If you would like to stay on, please arrange your extra night directly with the hotel, and we can assist if necessary. Private transfers back to Sydney are quoted on request. Neither is part of the package price.
Good to know: departs Wednesdays with a minimum of 2 guests. Travelling solo? Guests must be 18 years or older and need valid government ID on the wine tour. Rates are valid for departures from 11 November 2026 to 31 December 2027. There are no departures where a hotel night falls from 23 December 2026 to 9 January 2027, from 23 to 26 January 2027, on 30 April 2027, on 3, 4, 11 or 17 October 2027, or from 23 to 31 December 2027. Each day you join one of our public scheduled small group tours. Day 1 includes 1 to 2 km of easy walking in short stages and runs in all weather.
What to bring: comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and weather appropriate clothing. On the wine tour, please wear clothing with no rips and avoid singlets and thongs (flip flops) to meet venue dress codes. For Port Stephens, bring a warm jacket for the boat in whale season, or swimmers and a towel in dolphin season if you would like to swim.
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