Travelling
from Sydney to Newcastle
Car:
...don’t bother!... reasonably high CO2 emissions and good chance you will get lost and end up paying multiple tolls. Not much of a view and once you finally manage to leave Sydney (at least an hour from the airport) you may find the Freeway is blocked by road works, peak hour or accidents. If you are desperate, you can hire a car (pre-book or you may not get one) at the airport and follow the signs to Newcastle or call me (and I will explain where the closest train station is!).
If you live in Sydney, then this is a reasonable option, but as an ex-Sydney person you really should try out the train and save on CO2 emissions.
Train:
This is a pleasant 3 to 4 hour journey (including changing from the airport to the Newcastle train), with low CO2 emissions, which is quite scenic once you leave Sydney and will arrive almost within walking distance of most places you will be staying. There are trains at both the international (Terminal 1) and domestic (Terminals 2 and 3) terminals.
Terminal 1 is the international terminal. Once you come out of Immigration and then Customs, turn right (from either set of exits), staying on the same level , walk to the end of the terminal, past MacDonalds and some shops – there are signs to the Trains. Then you descend to the train station. Buy a ticket to “Newcastle Station” – it is about $28.00 AUD and covers the airport train (almost half of the fare) and the trip from Sydney to Newcastle. There are two platforms, make sure you get the platform to “City Circle” and not to “East Hills”, - on the platform check that the train will go – Domestic (if you are at the International), Mascot, Green Hills, Central Station – you need to get off at Central.
Terminal 2 and 3 are domestic flights, either Qantas or the rest. The train station is underground between the two terminals. So, on the bottom floor of either terminal (where you get luggage), follow the signs to the train station and go down the stairs, escalator, lift from within the terminal down to a tunnel that runs between terminals 2 and 3, then you take further escalators etc off this to get to the station. The fare is the same $28.00 AUD; There are two platforms, make sure you get the platform to “City Circle” and not to “East Hills”, - on the platform check that the train will go – Mascot, Green Hills, Central Station – you need to get off at Central.
Once you arrive at Central Station – it is the first above ground platform – exit the train and turn to the right and head to the end of the platform. You are heading for the Country Platforms 1 to 15. Toward the end of the platform you go down one of the two stairs. At the bottom turn left and continue past all of the suburban platforms (16-23) in reverse order and you will come to stairs/escalators – go up and you will then be in the country section. Don’t exit thru any of the electronic ticket collectors/barriers. At the top of the stairs there is a small shop on the left and the platforms start at 15 going down. The Newcastle Train is usually on platform 6 to 13. There is an indicator board for the “intercity” trains about 20m past the top of the escalator just to the right. You need to find the train going to Newcastle (not Wyong) and any Newcastle Train (Limited Stops or Express) is fine, they all stop where you want to get off. Most of the trains depart at about quarter past the hour every hour.
http://www.cityrail.info/timetable/ttable.jsp?line=nc&day=wd&dir=up
Sleep for the first 45 min of the trip as you go thru Sydney, the train does pass the Olympic site at a distance but that is about it for views. Then as you leave Sydney the trip is quite scenic over the Hawkesbury River, through the Central Coast, and then eventually into Newcastle – usually takes about 2 hr 30min to 3hr depending on how many stations they stop at. You need to go to the final stop – Newcastle station (and not Broadmeadow which is the main station in Newcastle – unless you enjoy 5km walking into Newcastle with baggage).
Plane:
High CO2 emissions and isn’t much shorter than catching the train, particularly if you have to change from an international terminal (or Qantas domestic terminal) to the terminal for Aeropelican which flies Sydney to Newcastle. You have to take you luggage via the terminal bus or train to get it from the international terminal. Rather expensive - $100 to $300 one way - and then you land at Newcastle airport (Williamstown Airbase) which is a $50 taxi ride north of Newcastle.
http://www.aeropelican.com.au/
There is a sea plane from Rose Bay to Newcastle Harbour, I have heard this is nice and costs about $100 to $200 each way. However, you have to get from Sydney airport to where it takes off – this would be difficult or impossible via train and bus, so a $20-30 taxi ride thru the eastern suburbs of Sydney. However, you land right near where you would be staying.
http://www.seaplanes.com.au/Content_Common/pg-sydney-newcastle-daily-flights.seo
Walk/Run:
Lowest CO2 emissions and is quite pleasant. The Great Northern Track is about 250km and starts at Circular Quay. You need to catch the train from the airport (see above) but not get off at Central and continue on to Circular Key (“City Circle”). You get off at Circular Quay and then catch a ferry to Lane Cover (Fig Tree Bridge). The walk commences here and you continue thru the North Shore of Sydney thru recreational parks and lands. This is an amazing and wonderful walk and finishes on the beaches and then foreshore of Newcastle.
http://www.lands.nsw.gov.au/crown_land/walking_tracks/great_north_walk
You would need to leave 48 hours (plus a support team) if you are going to run this and make sure someone is going to transport your luggage. If you are going to walk, depending on your fitness level you would need to leave between 5 and 10 days to make the trip.
Bike/Cycle:
Although this is also the lowest emissions approach you would need to bring the bike with you and have the same problems (worse) as driving a car out of Sydney.
Boat:
Although this would be a wonderful way to travel from Sydney to Newcastle it is difficult to organise. There is no regular service so you would need to know a wealthy Sydney-sider who has a boat and is willing to motor/sail you to Newcastle. I would leave a day of travel time for this. You may volunteer to crew a boat to reduce costs.
Swim:
This is possible and again low CO2 emissions. You would have to undergo significant training (probably about 20 years worth). This has been done once before from Newcastle to Sydney so as well as arriving at PAGANZ you will probably set a World’s record.
http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/mag/39/susiemaroney.html
Disclaimer: The PAGANZ organising committee will not be responsible for any medical expenses or costs to the Royal Australian Navy for rescues.