Your own private escape north of Sydney: three days of Hawkesbury oysters, Newcastle street art, Hunter Valley wines and Port Stephens dolphins, with a dedicated local guide and private vehicle throughout.
Sydney’s best kept secret isn’t in Sydney. Just north lies a corner of NSW most itineraries miss: Newcastle, an undiscovered beach town with soul, with the vines of the Hunter Valley on one side and the sparkling waters of Port Stephens on the other. Over three unhurried days, the award-winning local team at Newy Tour Co will show you all three on a fully private journey, shaped around you.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney to Newcastle, oysters and street art
Your guide meets you at your Sydney hotel from 9:00am for a private, door-to-door pickup. On the drive north, pause on the banks of the Hawkesbury River for a hands-on oyster experience: an hour learning to shuck with the farmers themselves, a behind-the-scenes tour, and a goodie bag with a fresh dozen to take away. After checking in to your Newcastle hotel, join your guide for a private 3-hour Food & Street Art Tour through the city’s vibrant East End, with five curated food and beverage tastings among the murals.
- Hawkesbury River oyster shucking with the farmers, plus a fresh dozen to take away
- Private Newcastle Food & Street Art Tour with five tastings
- Overnight in Newcastle, your base for the next two nights
The Hawkesbury oyster experience runs Thursday to Sunday (shucking class Thursday and Friday); on other departure days an alternative stop is arranged.
Day 2: Hunter Valley wine country
A full day among hand-selected vineyards, from international labels with ancient vines to charming family-run estates. Enjoy three premium sit-down tastings, a glittering vodka, gin and liqueur tasting, a paired cheese or chocolate tasting, and a leisurely a la carte vineyard lunch (included), with the option to elevate to a fine dining experience. Tell us your favourite wines in advance and we’ll tailor the day around them.
- Three premium sit-down tastings at hand-selected vineyards
- Vodka, gin and liqueur tasting, plus a paired cheese or chocolate tasting
- A la carte vineyard lunch, included
Day 3: Port Stephens
A guided hike up Tomaree Mountain for sweeping coastal views (a flat walk is also available), then a 1.5-hour cruise in search of bottlenose dolphins, a freshly caught seafood picnic on the beach, an optional swim in calm, sparkling waters, and a craft brewery beer and honey tasting to finish. The tour concludes back in Newcastle in the early evening.
- Tomaree Mountain summit walk, with a flat alternative
- 1.5-hour dolphin cruise and a seafood picnic on the beach
- Craft brewery beer and honey tasting to finish
The Route
- Sydneyday 1, hotel pickup from 9:00am
- Hawkesbury Riveroyster experience
- Newcastleyour base, nights 1 and 2
- Hunter Valleyday 2, wine country
- Port Stephensday 3, coast and dolphins
- Newcastletour ends day 3, early evening
Where You’ll Stay
What’s Included
- Private touring and transfers on all three days
- Hawkesbury oyster experience with goodie bag
- Newcastle Food & Street Art tour with five tastings
- Full-day private Hunter Valley wine tour with all tastings and lunch
- Full-day private Port Stephens tour with dolphin cruise, seafood picnic lunch and brewery tasting
- Water bottles
Not Included
- Accommodation (land-only journey; hotel recommendations happily provided)
- Airport or onward transfers after the tour ends on day three
- Dinners and drinks beyond the listed tastings
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we get back to Sydney or the airport at the end?
The tour ends in Newcastle in the early evening on day 3. From nearby Newcastle Airport you can fly direct to your next domestic destination, or to select international destinations. If you’d like private transportation back to Sydney after the tour, this is something we can arrange for you.
Is accommodation included?
No, the tour is land-only so you can choose hotels to suit your style and budget. Both nights are in Newcastle, and we’re happy to recommend the city’s newest 5-star and 4-star hotels.
What happens with our luggage?
It travels with you in the private vehicle on day 1, then stays at your Newcastle hotel while you day-trip on days 2 and 3.
Can more than 2 people join?
Absolutely. The price shown is for a private group of two, but we welcome groups of all sizes; email [email protected] and we’ll tailor a quote and the right vehicle for your group.
Which days does the tour depart?
Thursdays and Fridays, year-round, with pickup from your Sydney hotel from 9:00am. We depart on these days because the Hawkesbury oyster shucking class runs on Thursdays and Fridays.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure; within 7 days of departure the booking is non-refundable. Bookings close 24 hours before the tour starts.
Can you cater for dietary requirements and different fitness levels?
Yes. Tastings and meals can be adapted, just tell us your requirements when booking. On day 3, the Tomaree Mountain hike has a flat walk alternative.
Private Tour Pricing
$5,910 total for a private group of two ($2,955 per person)
Every experience, tasting and lunch on the itinerary is included, along with your own guide and Mercedes-Benz for all three days.
- Group size
- Fully private, one group per departure. Pricing and inclusions shown are for two people; travelling with a different group size? Contact [email protected] for a tailored quote.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure; non-refundable within 7 days.
- Bookings
- Bookings close 24 hours before the tour starts.
Happy to share the trip? See our 3 Day Small Group Tour from $1,270 per person.
Only Have a Day?
This 3-day journey combines our favourite day experiences into one unhurried private trip. Short on time? You can enjoy each on its own:
-
Destination
-
Departure
Sydney, door-to-door from your hotel -
Departure Time
Thursdays & Fridays, from 9:00am -
Return Time
Day 3, early evening, in Newcastle -
Dress Code
Casual and comfortable; walking shoes for the Tomaree track -
Included
Entry FeesLunchPersonal GuidePick Up & Drop Off -
Not Included
BreakfastHotel (2 nights)Private Transfer from Sydney
Our gallery
You'll travel in a comfortable eight-seat Mercedes-Benz with leather seats and sunroofs, with a passionate, professionally trained local guide, born and raised in the region, alongside you for all three days.
The tour is fully private: one group per departure, so the pace and the stops are shaped around you. Tell us your favourite wines before you travel and we'll build day two in the Hunter Valley around them.
Departures run on Thursdays and Fridays year-round, currently bookable to 30 December 2027. Day 1 pickup is door-to-door from your Sydney hotel from 9:00am, and the tour ends in Newcastle in the early evening on day 3. Onward and airport transfers can be arranged on request.
Questions? Email [email protected] or call +61 432 044 160.
