Car & Van Hire - Newcastle

A car rental in Newcastle is an excellent way to see more of New South Wales. While most visitors flock to Sydney, Newcastle has been growing in popularity. In particular, visitors are attracted by Newcastle's beaches, which are beautiful and far less crowded than the Sydney coast.

If you're visiting Newcastle between June and November, you might want to book a whale-watching tour. You'll never be guaranteed to see these gentle giants, but Newcastle is known as one of the best spots to spot them. At any time of the year, you can also take a guided sightseeing cruise around the city. Many of Newcastle's most interesting landmarks can be seen from the water, so this is a great way to learn more about the city.

Newcastle is a city with lots of walks and trails to enjoy. Go for a walk along Bar Beach or Dudley Beach, or head down to the Break Wall. The latter is particularly enjoyable at sunset, as you'll see brilliant colours while the sun disappears over the ocean. Try a trail that will take you to the Bogey Hole. This oddly-named spot is a true icon for locals, a stunning seawater bathing spot where you can cool off after all that walking.

Your car hire or van rental in Newcastle lets you explore more of New South Wales, too. There are plenty of great day trips from "Newy", as the locals call it. Port Stephens, a popular holiday destination, has family-friendly beaches and daily dolphin cruises. If you'd rather do something more active, try Central Coast. The beaches here are ideal for snorkelling, surfing or fishing, and there are some spectacular coastal walks to enjoy, too.

Located a half-hour drive from the city, Lake Macquarie is Australia's largest coastal saltwater lake. There are some great beaches here, including Blacksmiths Beach. This beach has wonderful tidal pools for young kids to splash around in. Other interesting spots in the area include Catherine Hill Bay, a historic mining village where you can see old preserved buildings. There's also an intriguing cave system to see at Caves Beach. It can only be explored at low tide, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.

In Australia, you're never far from the majesty of nature. To see some, you'll want to head out to Barrington Tops National Park. This Gondwana rainforest has a number of different hiking trails, with something to suit people of every level. Admire the waterfalls, the colourful birds and the breathtaking views that stretch out in every direction.

Newcastle has far less traffic than Sydney, but you can expect some congestion during rush hour. If you want to avoid this, plan your days carefully. Traffic jams are most likely from 07:00-09:00 and again from 17:00 to 19:00. Most commuters drive into the city.

Unlike other Australian cities, Newcastle does not have much in the way of shopping and attractions in its CBD. That means visitors do not usually need to worry about driving and parking in the centre, as there are ample parking facilities scattered around the city.

Newcastle is a two-hour drive from Sydney, and it's a popular spot for weekend getaways. You can usually expect more traffic coming into the city on Friday evenings and leaving on Sunday evenings.

New South Wales is one of the Australian states with toll roads. Most of these are concentrated around Sydney, so they will affect visitors who choose to drive between Sydney and Newcastle. All tolls are paid electronically using an e-Tag system. In NSW, tolls are operated by Linkt, with the exception of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel tolls.

Take care on the road, especially when driving outside the city. New South Wales has a particularly large kangaroo population. Most visitors are excited to see these iconic animals hopping along beside them, but kangaroos can be a major hazard if they stray onto the road. Like most Australian animals, they are most active at night. Visitors are strongly advised to avoid driving beyond the city limits from dusk to dawn.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you will need to prepare for different weather conditions. Newcastle, New South Wales, often experiences extreme weather from October to April. Both flooding and bushfires present potential problems. Flash floods can occur extremely quickly, with roads rapidly closing in response. Listen carefully to the guidance offered by local authorities, and always pay attention to weather reports. If a road has been closed, do not attempt to enter it. Never drive on a flooded road.