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DAY 1 Sydney - Central Coast
(39 Miles 63 Kms - 1 Hour)
Just north of the city, the waterfront cafes in Brooklyn are popular with the locals – and you’ll see why, drinking in the view while munching on fish’n’chips and Sydney Rock Oysters. Fine dining in the area can best be found at the Berowra Waters Restaurant, accessible only by seaplane or boat. The restaurant also offers a free ferry service from Berowra Waters wharf. Or if you’re after a particularly indulgent treat, take a seaplane to the Central Coast and pick up a hire car there. You’ll get the best views of Sydney including Sydney Harbour National Park, Pittwater, the northern beaches, Kuring-gai Chase National Park, the beautiful Hawkesbury River and the dramatic coastline. Meander through the shops and lunch alfresco at Terrigal, check out the galleries in the area or book in for a luxurious day spa treatment. Top off your day by dining at a waterfront restaurant and stay overnight in a choice of luxurious retreats, five star resorts and B&Bs. Or for something really different, bunk down in a luxury yacht with a ‘berth and breakfast’ package.
DAY 2 Central Coast - Hunter Valley
(84 Miles 135 Kms 1Hour 30 Mins)
The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine-producing region, offering over 80 boutique and world renowned wineries. There’s no better way to quaff quality vino than on a winery tour – choose to ride in a horse drawn carriage or chauffeur driven limousine! For lunch, you’ll find many of the wineries feature award-winning restaurants – or you could stock up on delicious local cheeses at the cheese factory. Don’t miss the newly opened Hunter Valley Gardens, with 25 hectares of spectacular display gardens, vineyards, a winery and a boutique shopping village. The Hunter is also great for golf, as well as luxury day spa and beauty treatments. Stay overnight in the region and you’ll be spoilt with quality accommodation, from luxury villas and cabins to boutique hotels, guest-houses and B&Bs.
DAY 3 Hunter Valley - Port Stephens
(54 Miles 88 Kms 1 Hours)
Start your day the best way, with a spectacular sunrise balloon flight over the vineyards, followed by a champagne breakfast with Balloons Aloft. On the way back to the coast, take a side-trip to historic Morpeth for home made fudge and ginger beer. Don’t pass up the chance to sample wines from boutique wineries around Australia at the Port Stephens Winery on the way to Nelson Bay. You might like to also stop off at one of Port Stephens’ golden surf beaches for a refreshing dip, or a spot of dolphinwatching from your own hired yacht. Call into the Shoal Bay Resort & Spa for a pampering treat before bedding down in your choice of fine accommodation in the Port Stephens area.
DAY 4 Port Stephens - Coffs Harbor
(272 Miles 435 Kms 5 Hours 30 Mins)
Break up your drive today with a visit to the award-winning Cassegrain Winery on the Pacific Highway, just North of Port Macquarie, where you can taste premium table wines or eat lunch overlooking the rose gardens at Ca Marche Restaurant. Continue on via the scenic Waterfall Way to Bellingen where there’s lots to see, including local galleries, antique stores, Hammond & Wheatley’s department store or the Old Butter Factory. In the afternoon, tee off at the Bonville International Golf Resort against a stunning backdrop of tall, stately Flooded Gums or head up to Dorrigo for a stroll through the World Heritage listed rainforest. You could stay in Bellingen at a cosy guesthouse and dine at No 2 Oak Street, or head into Coffs Harbour or Sawtell for dinner at one of the many restaurants and overnight at one of Coffs Harbour’s luxury resorts.
DAY 5 Coffs Harbor - Byron Bay
(158 Miles 253 Kms 3 Hours 25 Mins)
Hit the road early today in order to make the most of the sensational scenery on the way to Byron Bay. However, make sure you call in on the way to the historic river port town of Ulmarra for morning tea and to browse the antique shops for rare treasures! For lunch, stop off at Yamba for freshly-caught prawns, then find a shady spot along the river to enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch. Once in Byron, spend the afternoon checking out the galleries and fashion boutiques – or exploring the quaint and alternative village of Bangalow. After you check in to your accommodation, you might like to book a massage or spa treatment before heading out for a gourmet meal at one of Byron’s many award-winning restaurants.
DAY 6 Byron Bay
No trip to Byron is complete without a morning walk to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, perched on Australia’s most easterly point – and afterwards, you’ll have worked up an appetite for a delicious brunch at one of the many groovy cafes in town or along the beaches. Grab a towel and head to one of Byron’s famous surf beaches for a swim, a surf lesson or just to watch the locals hanging five! You may prefer to spend the afternoon choosing from the range of exotic pampering treatments at Air Spa or exploring the hinterland and rainforest areas around Byron.
DAY 7 Byron Bay - Brisbane
(130 Miles 208 Kms 2 Hours 20 Mins)
Today there’s lots to experience along the way to Brisbane, starting with a spectacular drive north through the lush hinterland to the Tweed Valley. You may like to stop in at the galleries in Uki, Tumbulgum and Murwillumbah, where the work of local artists really reflects the beauty of the area. Take a short rainforest walk at stunning Mt Warning, before heading across the border to the Gold Coast. On the coast, treat yourself to a massage, a round of golf or a spot of retail. If you’ve got time, sightsee in style with a helicopter flight over the area before setting off on the short drive to Brisbane. |
