· · ·

Newcastle to Melbourne drive: details & best stops

Heading on an extended road trip? Here’s everything you need to know about the Newcastle to Melbourne drive (or vice versa), with information on the fastest route there versus the more scenic, leisurely route and where to stay.

Driving past the Sam Miranda vineyard in Victoria's High Country, a possible route you can take on your Newcastle to Melbourne drive.
Pack your sunnies.

Australia is a country that’s built for road trips. Some you’ll do for fun and others you’ll find yourself doing out of necessity.

One road trip worth doing is the Newcastle to Melbourne drive. You have two really interesting cities to explore and if time allows, a scenic and beautiful trip from either end.

The nicest route to take travels along the Princes Highway, down the Sapphire Coast and up through Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

However, even if you’re hoping to get from Newcastle to Melbourne as fast as possible, there are still some nice places where you can stay and sights to see along the way.

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. If you click through for additional information or make a purchase, it may result in a small commission, at no extra cost to you. See my privacy policy if you require more information. Thank you for supporting a small content creator.

Looking back at Newcastle beach on a sunny day. A paraglider drifts lazily through the air.
Beautiful Newcastle.

Newcastle to Melbourne: everything you need to know

There are a few things you should consider if this is your first big drive in Australia 4r although it’s also good information to know, regardless.

Road charges from Newcastle to Melbourne

You can bypass Sydney on the Newcastle to Melbourne drive (which I highly recommend doing, as driving through Sydney is a nightmare), but the Westlink M7, which you’ll take to do this, features a toll.

The cost of the toll changes depending on what time of the day you pass through. Compare prices in advance.

If you don’t have an e-TAG (which are only worth getting if you regularly drive in Australian cities), you can get a Visitor’s e-PASS, which will cover you on Sydney roads for up to 30 days.

I highly recommend doing this. The system also allows you to buy a pass after the fact.

If you’re driving a rental car, they should come with the option of an e-TAG and you’ll pay the charge to the rental company.

Need a set of wheels to reach your Newcastle to Melbourne drive?

A road at dusk, on the Newcastle to Melbourne drive.
Driving from Newcastle to Melbourne and enjoying the views.

Leave early, but not too early

As mentioned above, Sydney traffic is horrendous, even coming from Newcastle and entering the city via the M1 (that’s the motorway from Newcastle to Sydney – it used to be known as the F3 and everyone still calls it that because old habits die hard

Many people who work in Sydney live on the Central Coast, the area between the city and Newcastle. Traffic starts early, so you’ll be crawling along if you leave at the wrong time.

Even if you want to do a full day’s worth of driving, I wouldn’t bother leaving Newcastle until 9am earliest.

The roads will be clearer and you’ll make better time, with less effort.

Likewise, don’t try to enter Melbourne in the early morning hours or afternoon from 4pm, unless you really love traffic jams.

This is why I tend to break up this trip with an overnight stay. I can cruise into the city in the early afternoon, with my sanity intact.

Watch out for bushfires

This route is prone to bush fires in the summer months, particularly along the M1.

If you’re doing the trip for fun, I’d highly advise scheduling it outside of bush fire season (which is from late November to early March).

However, if it’s a trip you have to do, make sure you look for potential delays before you leave.

Trust me – it’s not fun to get stuck on this road, especially if you have a deadline.

Newcastle to Melbourne Trip Tip: Check this bushfire map for hazards along the M1 before you set off.

Stop, Revive, Survive

Authorities advise that drivers stop every two hours when travelling along Australian roads.

Get out of the car, take a walk around, go to the loo, grab something to eat. Even if you’re taking turns driving, it’s worth doing this.

I’d personally recommend keeping an eye on your petrol gauge and filling up when you have a quarter tank left. There are a lot of servos (service stations) along these roads, but the last thing you want is to get caught out.

If you’re in need of roadside assistance, contact the NRMA in NSW or the RACV in Victoria.

Close up photo of a wallaby, in early morning light.
This little fella does not want to end up as roadkill, thanks.

Watch out for native animals

Australian roads become particularly active at certain times of the day. Birds fly in front of cars, kangaroos bounce across roads. Possums, wombats, koalas and echidnas will make appearances.

PLEASE be careful and try to avoid harming or killing our local wildlife, by being alert and sticking to the speed limit, especially during dawn and dusk.

If you do hit one and it’s in a state where it can be saved, contact WIRES in NSW, or Wildlife Victoria.

Watch out for roos in particular. Their own well being aside, they can do major damage to a car and endanger lives.

Don’t speed or drive under the influence of alcohol

Australia has very strict road rules, which are heavily policed.

Keep to the speed limits along the roads.

Australia does well in having plenty of signs, advising speed limits. Some change with the conditions, such as for road work, school zones or due to the weather.

It’s best to be mindful of this and stay alert.

Fixed speed cameras in NSW and Victoria don’t tend to have advanced warning. Mobile speed cameras will appear without warning and the fines are exorbitant.

There is a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 for drivers with their full licence.

Frankly, if I’m driving I just don’t drink.

You can read more about the rules and regulations regarding alcohol:

A giant statue of a regal looking merino, located in Goulburn NSW.
The Big Merino of Goulburn. He’s very distinguished.

Newcastle to Melbourne drive: Getting there as fast as possible

Distance: around 1030 kilometres

If your main objective is to get from Newcastle to Melbourne with as little time spent as possible, this is the route you should take.

Towns Worth Stopping In

Here are a couple of towns worth stopping in for half an hour or so along the way. It’s about 11 hours driving non-stop, but don’t do that.

Goulburn

Goulburn is located around 4 hours from Newcastle, making it a perfect resting point on your trip.

I like driving into Goulburn at night, for the novelty factor. Its war memorial sends a sweeping light across the city – it’s a bit like having a lighthouse, 100km from the coast!

I tend to stop at the Giant Merino to fill up on petrol, have a toilet break and get some food. And take a novelty photo, of course.

Gundagai

Gundagai is essentially smack bang in the middle of Sydney and Melbourne and makes for another good stopover, or place to spend the night.

There’s beautiful old buildings, viaduct bridges, some great sculptures and a probably haunted old gaol.

If you’re short on time, simply make a stop at the Dog on the Tuckerbox statue, to snap a photo and pick up some snacks.

Discover more fun things to do in Gundagai on a stopover.

The Glenrowan Hotel on a sunny day: ornate old building with replicas of Ned Kelly on the building and out the front of the hotel.
It’s a shootout!
Glenrowan

Glenrowan is a cute little town about two and a half hours from Melbourne.

It’s famous for being part of the Ned Kelly Touring Route and certainly takes advantage of that.

If you stop in the town centre you’ll see what I mean – there’s homages to Ned Kelly everywhere and even a giant statue of our most famous criminal.

If you’ve got time, you can check out the small museum in town. I highly recommend grabbing a cuppa at the Billy Tea Rooms.

This is starting to turn into a tour of Australia’s “Big Thing” statues, but I’m okay with this and I hope you are too.

If you have a bit of extra time, consider detouring to the King Valley, to pick up some gourmet goodies in Milawa or drive down the ‘Prosecco Road’.

Newcastle to Melbourne drive: Where to Stay

Here are a couple of options for spending the night on your road trip from Newcastle to Melbourne.

An old service station in Gundagai - blue building with a petrol pump out the front.
Gundagai’s town centre is full of heritage buildings.
Gundagai

I stay at the Tuckerbox Motor Inn when doing this drive – it’s exceptionally nice.

Wodonga

If your priority is to make it to Victoria before nighttime, then Wodonga would be an ideal place to stay as it’s the first city on the border.

Beachfront at Lakes Entrance.
Lakes Entrance is a lovely place to stop for a breather.

Newcastle to Melbourne drive: Taking the scenic route

Distance: around 1300 kilometres

If you’re opting for the more scenic drive, allow for around three days to get from Newcastle to Melbourne.

Newcastle to Melbourne drive: Places and Towns Worth Stopping In

You can take two different routes on this Newcastle to Melbourne drive.

One will take you through Australia’s capital Canberra. The other bypasses Canberra, taking you through gorgeous valleys and down the coast.

Personally, unless you’re planning to spend time exploring Canberra, I’d opt for the valley option.

I’m not saying Canberra isn’t a place worth visiting in its own right – it most certainly is.

This is more because Canberra deserves time, at least a couple of days, to explore it properly.

Plus, the road into Canberra can be a bit dull, compared to the road through the valleys, which is jaw-dropping gorgeous.

It’s up to you and both options are available. It mostly comes down to whether this drive is more about visiting Canberra, or the drive itself.

If you go for the valley option and down the Sapphire Coast, these are places I recommend stopping in for a stretch of time.

You will pass through plenty of other towns on the way, so get out and look at whatever tickles your fancy.

The main street in the town of Kangaroo Valley. Two signs read 'Cafe Bella' and 'Stuff'.
The town of Kangaroo Valley.

Kangaroo Valley

Kangaroo Valley is the valley you’ll travel through to get to the town of the same name.

It’s a beautiful, heritage rich area, with plenty of activities on offer.

We simply strolled through the town itself (which is popular amongst artists), examining the local goods and having a bite to eat.

However, there are plenty of festivals held (such as the Folk Festival) and you can go kayaking, horse riding and bushwalking in the area.

You can see more activities here.

Lakes Entrance

Lakes Entrance as the name may suggest, is the gateway to the Gippsland Lakes.

Here you can go camel riding, take a cruise to see if you can spot some dolphins and check out the nearby Buchan caves, among many other options.

A woman stands at a barricade on Phillip Island, looking out into the sea.
Looking out towards Tassie from Phillip Island.

Phillip Island

Phillip Island is a popular day trip from Melbourne and is best known for being home to the Penguin Parade.

Here, you can see Little Penguins returning home after a day’s fishing in the ocean. THEY ARE VERY CUTE.

Penguins aside, there are plenty of other things to see and do. There’s a giant maze, a chocolate factory and the island is also home to Australia’s Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Klook.com

Looking back at Melbourne's cityscape from Brighton Beach on a moody day.
Ogling Melbourne from Brighton Beach.

Newcastle to Melbourne drive: Where to Stay

If you’re planning on breaking up your trip into three days, you can follow my itinerary and stay in the following towns.

The First Night – Merimbula

Merimbula is a nice town in southern NSW, smack bang in the middle of the Sapphire Coast.

An almost deserted Ventnor Beach on Phillip Island. It's worth spending some time on this island if you can, during your Newcastle to Melbourne drive.
From Kilcuna you can drive straight to Phillip Island. This is Ventnor Beach in the summertime.

The Second Night – Kilcuna

The last time I took the scenic route, I stayed in Kilcuna Ocean View Motel. It is a lovely little motel, close to Phillip Island, which I was planning on exploring the next day.

From there, you can drive on into Melbourne, your road trip complete.

And if you’re heading the other way, simply flip the options.

Need a place to stay in Melbourne?

Klook.com

This itinerary also works if you’re driving a return road trip from Melbourne to Sydney and want to see some sights along the way.

If you want know more about Australian road trips, this in-depth guide will be helpful.

Other relevant posts

The Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in Melbourne
Road Tripping the Silo Art Trails in Victoria
Visiting Melbourne on a Budget
25 Cool Things to Do in Lake Macquarie, NSW
What NOT to Do When Visiting Australia
How to Avoid Looking Like a Tourist in Australia
30 Travel Tips for Australia

Planning on doing this road trip? Pin this post for future reference.

How to get from Newcastle to Melbourne in Australia. Information on the fastest route vs the scenic route. You'll find out how long it takes to get from Newcastle to Melbourne, where to stay, when the best time to drive is and what you'll see along the way.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.