By bus
McCaffertyâs
Newcastle from Sydney.
Port Stephens Coaches
provides daily services from Port Stephens and Williamtown airport to Newcastle Railway Station.
By plane
By plane
Newcastle Airport Williamtown IATA: NTL, (http://www.newcastleairpo...) is a regional hub served by a number of domestic airlines:
By plane
Flying may not the be fastest way to travel such a short distance as Sydney to Newcastle. However, the flight is particularly scenic, especially on a fine day, as there are stunning views of the northern beaches between Sydney and Newcastle. It can be well worth finding an excuse to fly if the cost is not an issue.
There is also a twice daily service from Sydney Harbour to Newcastle Harbour, operated by Sydney Seaplanes (http://www.seaplanes.com.au/). Expect to pay a premium, but the service is quick, scenic, and operates right into the centre of Newcastle.
By train
Sydney's Central, Strathfield, Epping and Hornsby stations have hourly Cityrail (http://cityrail.info) trains to Newcastle Station via the Central Coast. Travelling time is about 2.5-3 hours.
Several Countrylink (http://countrylink.info/) services pass through Newcastle's Broadmeadow station approximately 5 km from the CBD daily from Sydney and the Central Coast to the south and from the Northern Rivers and New England. These trains are more expensive than Cityrail services and tickets must be booked in advance, but they are somewhat more comfortable and are also faster. Occasionally Countrylink discount tickets by up to 50% if booking tickets within 24 hours of travel, so it may be worth checking their fare.
By car
Newcastle is a two hour drive north of Sydney on the F3 freeway which starts at Wahroonga close to Hornsby on the Upper North Shore. The scenic freeway is in excellent condition and driving is normally not difficult. However, as a large number of people commute to Sydney daily from the Central Coast and even Newcastle, northbound travellers during the evening peak 5PM to 7PM will encounter high speed and heavy traffic between Wahroonga and the Central Coast, with traffic easing off further north. The reverse applies to southbound traffic during the morning commute.
The F3 is on the Western side of Lake Macquarie. To travel up the Eastern side of Lake Macquarie through Swansea then take the "Charlestown" exit on the F3. This route is more scenic, more hilly, and less congested though it takes a few minutes longer. If you follow this route you will eventually come to the "Charlestown Bypass" at Bennett's Green which you can take if you wish to head north-west towards Lambton. Otherwise veer right to keep following the Pacific Highway until you reach Charlestown and then follow the signs to the city.
Traffic during holiday periods and long weekends is also affected, with heavy northbound traffic at the beginning of the period as Sydneysiders flee the city for the weekend, and heavy southbound traffic as they return.