See the best of three destinations in three days: Newcastle, the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens. Small group touring with local guides, a private transfer from Sydney and two nights at a 4 star hotel with breakfast.
Included in the price:
Just north of Sydney, three very different regions sit side by side: Newcastle’s beaches and convict history, the vines of the Hunter Valley and the sparkling waters of Port Stephens. This 3 day small group tour from Sydney links all three, departing the city centre on Wednesdays with the award-winning local team at Newy Tour Co. Everything is taken care of: a private transfer from Sydney, two nights at Holiday Inn Express Newcastle with breakfast, and a guided tour every day with a maximum of 11 guests.
Where it ends: the tour finishes in Newcastle on the afternoon of day 3. We drop you at Newcastle Airport for your next flight, or at Newcastle Interchange for the train back to Sydney, about 2.5 to 3 hours and around $10.
“Do yourself a favour and choose this tour”
Keith M, on our Hunter Valley Wine Tour. Tripadvisor review, August 2026. Newy Tour Co is rated 5.0 from 118 Tripadvisor reviews.
Your Itinerary
Day 1 (Wednesday): Sydney to Newcastle, city and coast
Meet your driver at 9:00am at your choice of two central Sydney pick up points: Christ Church St Laurence, 812 George St, or The Obelisk, Macquarie Place Park, corner Loftus & Bridge St. A private transfer takes you direct to Newcastle in about 2.5 hours. Drop your bags at Holiday Inn Express Newcastle around 11:30am and enjoy free time for lunch (own cost). At 2:00pm you are picked up from the hotel for Discover Newcastle: Coastal Charms & City Secrets, a 3-hour guided tour by minivan on an 18 km scenic loop of the city. Back at the hotel around 5:00pm to check in, with the evening at leisure.
- Private transfer direct from central Sydney to Newcastle
- Guided visits to Fort Scratchley, Christ Church Cathedral, the Bogey Hole and Hickson St Lookout
- A stroll along the Memorial Walk, then your first night in Newcastle
Newcastle is Australia’s second oldest city, and your local guide brings its convict and wartime stories to life. Expect 1 to 2 km of easy walking in short stages between stops.
Day 2 (Thursday): Hunter Valley wine country
After breakfast at the hotel you are picked up between 8:30am and 9:00am 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 vineyards, from international labels with ancient vines to charming family-run estates. Lunch is among the vines at The Farm, 4 Pines, with a meal and your choice of drink included. You are dropped back to your hotel around 5:30pm.
- Three premium sit-down wine tastings, one paired with cheese, chocolate or small bites
- Vodka, gin and liqueur tasting
- Lunch among the vines with a meal and your choice of drink, included
Not drinking? Non-alcoholic alternatives are available at no extra cost. Guests must be 18 or older and carry valid government ID.
Day 3 (Friday): Port Stephens, whales or dolphins
After breakfast, check out and bring your bags for a full day in Port Stephens. A guided hike up Tomaree Mountain (a flat walk is also available) is followed by a boat cruise and a seafood lunch by the water, chosen from a select menu and included. From June to October the cruise is 2.5 hours in search of migrating humpback whales, with views of the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere to finish. From November to May it is a 1.5-hour catamaran cruise in search of bottlenose dolphins, with an optional swim at calm Little Beach and a craft brewery visit on the way back.
- Tomaree Mountain summit walk in Tomaree National Park, with a flat alternative
- Whale cruise (June to October) or dolphin cruise (November to May)
- Seafood lunch by the water, included
Pick up is 8:30am to 9:00am in whale season and 7:00am to 7:30am in dolphin season. The tour finishes between 4:00pm and 5:00pm with drop off at Newcastle Airport, Newcastle Interchange (trains to Sydney) or back in Newcastle.
The Route
- Sydneyday 1, pick up at 9:00am
- Newcastlecity tour, nights 1 and 2
- Hunter Valleyday 2, wine country
- Port Stephensday 3, whales or dolphins
- Newcastletour ends day 3, afternoon
Where You’ll Stay
Your base for both nights is Holiday Inn Express Newcastle, a modern 4 star hotel with 170 rooms at 514 King Street, Newcastle West. Drop your bags on arrival on day 1 and your room is ready when you return from the Discover Newcastle tour. Check out is after breakfast on day 3, before your Port Stephens pick up.
- Location
- A short walk from Newcastle Interchange for trains and light rail, with the Honeysuckle waterfront dining precinct and Marketown Shopping Centre close by. Newcastle Airport is about 25 minutes away.
- Rooms
- Twin share, with either one queen bed or two single beds. Each room is around 20 square metres with air conditioning, a private bathroom with shower, TV, work desk, fridge, tea and coffee, in-room safe and free Wi-Fi.
- Breakfast
- Express Start breakfast is included each morning before your tour.
- Facilities
- 24/7 fitness centre, self-service guest laundry and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
- Staying longer
- Arrange an extra night directly with the hotel, and we can assist if necessary.
Your Evenings in Newcastle
Dinners are not included, so both evenings are yours to enjoy at your own pace. The hotel is a short walk from the Honeysuckle waterfront dining precinct, and the light rail from Newcastle Interchange runs into the city centre and on to Newcastle Beach. On day 1 your Discover Newcastle guide shares local tips on where to eat and explore during your stay, so you will have a shortlist before your first night.
What’s Included
- Private transfer from central Sydney to Newcastle
- Two nights at Holiday Inn Express Newcastle with breakfast
- Discover Newcastle: Coastal Charms & City Secrets tour
- Hunter Valley wine tour with all tasting fees and lunch (a meal and your choice of drink)
- Port Stephens tour with whale or dolphin cruise and a seafood lunch
- Passionate local guides and comfortable, air-conditioned minibus transport
- Hotel pick up and drop off for each day tour, and water bottles
Not Included
- Lunch on day 1 and dinners
- Accommodation on the third night
- Onward travel from Newcastle after the tour ends on day 3
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
After the Tour
You finish in Newcastle on the afternoon of day 3, and we drop you where it suits your plans:
- Fly out: drop off at Newcastle Airport for your onward flight.
- Train to Sydney: drop off at Newcastle Interchange for the train to Sydney Central, about 2.5 to 3 hours. Tickets are around $10 and do not need to be bought in advance.
- Stay on: arrange an extra night directly with the hotel, and we can assist if necessary.
- Private car: a private transfer back to Sydney can be quoted on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour leave from in Sydney?
Pick up is at 9:00am on Wednesdays 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. You choose your pick up point when you book.
Is accommodation included?
Yes. Two nights at Holiday Inn Express Newcastle are included, with breakfast each morning. Rooms are twin share with either one queen bed or two single beds.
I’m travelling solo. Can I join?
Yes. The solo traveller rate is $1,545 and includes your own room. Solo places are on request: email [email protected] with your preferred date and we will confirm once other guests are booked on that departure. Online bookings are for two or more guests.
How do we get back to Sydney or the airport at the end?
The tour ends in Newcastle on the afternoon of day 3. We can drop you at Newcastle Airport, at Newcastle Interchange for the train to Sydney Central (about 2.5 to 3 hours), or back in the city. If you would like a private transfer back to Sydney, we can quote this for you.
Will we see whales or dolphins?
It depends when you travel. From June to October the day 3 cruise goes in search of migrating humpback whales. From November to May it goes in search of the bottlenose dolphins that live in Port Stephens all year round.
What happens with our luggage?
It travels with you from Sydney on day 1 and you drop it at the hotel on arrival. It stays in your room on day 2. On day 3 you check out and bring your bags on the tour, ready for your drop off.
Who will we be travelling with?
Each day you join one of our scheduled small group tours, with a maximum of 11 guests. Guests must be 18 or older, and a minimum of two guests is needed for a departure to run. If the minimum is not reached we will offer you a change of date or a full refund.
Which days does the tour depart?
Wednesdays, currently bookable from 7 April to 15 December 2027.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure; within 48 hours of departure the booking is non-refundable. Bookings close 48 hours before the tour starts.
Can you cater for dietary requirements, non-drinkers and different fitness levels?
Yes. Tell us your dietary requirements when booking. Non-alcoholic alternatives are available on the wine tour at no extra cost, and on day 3 the Tomaree Mountain hike has a flat walk alternative.
Small Group Tour Pricing
$1,270 per person, twin share (solo travellers $1,545, with your own room)
The Sydney transfer, two nights with breakfast, three guided tours, all tastings, the whale or dolphin cruise and two lunches are included.
- Group size
- Small group, maximum 11 guests per tour and a minimum of two guests per departure. Travelling as a private group? See our 3 Day Private Tour.
- Solo travellers
- $1,545 with your own room, on request. Email [email protected] with your preferred date. Online bookings are for two or more guests.
- Departures
- Wednesdays, 7 April to 15 December 2027.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure; non-refundable within 48 hours.
- Bookings
- Bookings close 48 hours before the tour starts. Questions? Email [email protected].
Only Have a Day?
This 3 day journey brings together three of our day tours. Short on time? You can enjoy each on its own:
- Newcastle Tour: Coastal Charms & City Secrets
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour
- Port Stephens Whale Watching Day Tour
- Port Stephens Day Tour: Dolphins & Hiking
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Destination
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Departure
Central Sydney, choice of two pick up points -
Departure Time
Wednesdays, 9:00am -
Return Time
Day 3, between 4:00pm and 5:00pm, in Newcastle -
Dress Code
Casual and comfortable; walking shoes for the Tomaree track. No singlets or thongs on the wine tour -
Included
BreakfastEntry FeesHotel (2 nights)LunchPersonal GuidePick Up & Drop OffPrivate Transfer from Sydney
Our gallery
Each day you join one of our scheduled small group tours, with a maximum of 11 guests, a comfortable air-conditioned minibus and a passionate local guide who calls this region home.
The package brings together three of our day tours with a private transfer from Sydney and two nights at Holiday Inn Express Newcastle, so once you are picked up there is nothing left to organise.
Departures run on Wednesdays, currently bookable from 7 April to 15 December 2027. Day 1 pick up is at 9:00am from a choice of two central Sydney locations, and the tour ends in Newcastle on the afternoon of day 3, with drop off at Newcastle Airport, Newcastle Interchange or in the city.
Questions? Email [email protected] or call +61 432 044 160.
