Nature lovers 3-day escape

Girt by sea with leafy trails and a beating green heart, Newy offers it all for nature lovers.

Discover the best of Newcastle’s outdoors on this 3 day / 2 night itinerary.

Arrive into Newcastle via Scenic Drive where soaring red gums and waterfalls tumble down to the rolling Pacific Ocean.

Stop at the carpark above Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) for ocean vistas extending north to Dixon Park and Bar Beach where surfers and dolphins often frolic together in the waves.

Enjoy a late lunch and drink at the rooftop terrace of Merewether Surfhouse while soaking up those expansive coastal vistas. From there follow your nose along the coastline to Newcastle Beach and check into Novotel Newcastle Beach.

As the sun sinks into the sea cross the road to Newcastle beach and hang a left along the Bathers Way. This section of the 6km coastal trail hugs Newcastle Beach, the art deco Newcastle Ocean Baths and continues on to Nobbys Beach.

You can continue out to Nobbys Lighthouse along the break wall (a beautiful sunset walk) or turn left at Nobbys Road and make for Scotties for fish and chips with the locals beneath the marquee lights.

Turn off the alarm, there's no rush this morning so enjoy the sleep in. When you awake, head down Pacific Street for a delicious breakfast at Moor Newcastle East or 23Hundred Espresso Bar.

After breakfast, make way to the foreshore and follow the footpath down to Honeysuckle harbour to meet Dom from Coast XP. Jump aboard his custom built rigid inflatable boat and slip through pristine waters and secluded bays of Newcastle.

On return, choose from one of the delicious restaurants at Honeysuckle to fill your tummy.

After lunch head back to the hotel to pick up the car, this afternoon is for adventuring around the beautiful Blackbutt Reserve where you can meet native wildlife, be dwarfed by soaring gums and listen to a cacophony of bird calls. Explore more than 10kms of nature trails that wind their way through bushland, rainforest and alongside bubbling creeks.

Highlights include native animal exhibits, two adventure playgrounds and the 2.8km Tall Trees circuit. As well as animals in captivity, Blackbutt is home to a diverse number of wild birds, reptiles and wallabies as well as beautiful flora and fauna (be sure and pack the insect repellent in warmer weather).

Once your adventuring is complete, chill out back at the hotel before heading across the road to Noah’s on the Beach for cocktails, modern Australian fare and fabulous vistas stretching to Shepherds Hill – you’ve earned it.

Fling back the curtains and salute the sun. For breakfast head to Estabar and nab a window seat overlooking the beach where surfers paddle out in Shark Alley to dance upon the rolling waves.

Owner Bec Bowie was an early pioneer of Newcastle’s new wave coffee movement and Estabar’s beachfront setting and seasonal evolving menu ensures a strong local following.

Fuelled up, you’re ready to explore one of Newcastle’s most beautiful natural treasures. Sheltering the region’s last surviving pocket of coastal rainforest, Glenrock State Conservation Area offers bushwalking, mountain bike trails and secluded beaches reached only by foot.

*Hot tip: pack your swimmers and a picnic (Estabar offers plenty of takeaway options or grab something from the Kiosk at Newcastle Beach) for a dip at Burwood Beach.

From there head home feeling energised and renewed from exploring the best of Newy’s great outdoors.