Summer around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley brings long, warm days, festive evenings and plenty of reasons to plan an outing. Sid Fogg's has two summer day trips from Newcastle on the calendar for 2026 to 27, the Hunter Valley Christmas Lights and Dinner on Friday 11 December 2026 and the Australia Day Cruise on Port Stephens on Tuesday 26 January 2027. Each tour includes coach travel from local pickup stops across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, and we have been helping locals travel since 1957.
The Christmas Lights evening pairs a two-course roast dinner in Maitland with the Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens, while the Australia Day Cruise celebrates the day aboard the historic Wangi Queen with a BBQ lunch, commentary and light entertainment. This guide covers what each tour includes, along with prices, pickup points, booking details and a few more coach tour ideas for the months ahead.
Long daylight hours make December and January a wonderful time to get out and about, with the sun setting well into the evening and plenty of time to take in each destination without rushing. Christmas and Australia Day both fall in this stretch, and the NSW summer school holidays, running from Friday 18 December 2026 to Wednesday 27 January 2027, give many locals more time to plan a day out, which makes the season a natural fit for day trips NSW travellers can enjoy close to home.
Our day tours from Newcastle take the planning out of the day. Both summer tours include a meal and every detail arranged in advance, with no parking to organise and no drive home at the end of the night, so you can sit back in an air-conditioned coach, chat with fellow passengers and watch the scenery go by
Make a night of the festive season on Friday 11 December 2026 with our Hunter Valley Christmas Lights and Dinner tour, which combines a two-course roast dinner in Maitland with an evening at Hunter Valley Gardens for $100 per adult and $90 per child aged 4 to 15. With dinner booked, transport arranged and the Gardens waiting at the end of the drive, the whole evening is planned from the moment you step on board.
What the Christmas Lights Tour Includes
Every booking covers the whole evening, from dinner through to the trip home. Each seat includes:
Return coach travel from your chosen pickup stop.
A traditional two-course roast dinner at a local favourite in Maitland.
Entry to the Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens.
Evening pickups begin at 4:15pm, and our first stop is Maitland, the gateway to the Hunter Valley, for dinner. It is an easygoing start to the night, with time to unwind and chat over a meal before the coach continues to Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.
The Christmas Lights Spectacular is described by Hunter Valley Gardens as the biggest and brightest Christmas lights display in Australia. With over 4.5 million lights and immersive walk-through displays, the Gardens become a glowing wonderland for visitors of every age. New for the 2026 season are the Celestial Snowfields, Gingerbread Way and an expanded Planes, Trains and Automobiles precinct, alongside live entertainment and festive food stalls.
For many locals, a night at the Hunter Valley Christmas lights has become part of the lead-up to Christmas. Wandering the illuminated pathways after a hearty dinner, at your own pace and in good company, makes for a memorable start to the season.
Celebrate Australia Day on Tuesday 26 January 2027 with our Australia Day Cruise on Port Stephens, a $130 Port Stephens day tour that includes coach travel, a 2.5 hour cruise aboard the historic Wangi Queen and a summer BBQ lunch with dessert. Port Stephens is at its loveliest in summer, and spending the national holiday out on the bay makes for a day to remember.
What the Australia Day Cruise Includes
The day is fully organised from the morning pickup onwards. Each seat includes:
Return coach travel to Port Stephens from designated pickup stops.
A 2.5 hour scenic cruise aboard the historic 1922 Wangi Queen.
Commentary on local landmarks, stories of the area and its early settlement history.
Light entertainment on board.
A freshly prepared summer BBQ lunch followed by dessert.
Morning pickups begin at 9:00am, and the coach travels to Port Stephens, where passengers board the Wangi Queen, a vessel with more than a century of history behind her. The cruise takes in the bays and waterways of Port Stephens, and Destination Port Stephens shares more of the heritage behind the stories you will hear on board.
Lunch is served on board, with gluten-free and vegetarian options available. The fully licensed bar offers cocktails, wines, beers and alcohol-free drinks at your own expense, and passengers are welcome to wear an Aussie-themed outfit, or at least a hat, to join in the spirit of the day. Seats can be booked directly through our Australia Day Cruise booking page.
Beyond our featured summer tours, Sid Fogg's runs a range of day tours from Newcastle to destinations across the region and beyond. Our guide to underrated NSW day trips shares more inspiration for the year ahead, and the places below are long-standing favourites for a day out by coach.
Port Stephens, about an hour north of Newcastle, is known for its sheltered bays, beaches and clear, calm water. Visit NSW has more on Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay and the surrounding coastline, and arriving by coach means stepping off refreshed and ready for the water.
The Hunter Valley is home to vineyards, gardens and historic country towns, all within easy reach of Newcastle. Hunter Valley day tours from Newcastle let you take in the countryside at an unhurried pace with the driving left to us, and Visit NSW offers an overview of the wider region.
Sydney is a popular choice too, with the harbour, theatre and shopping all within reach, and many travellers find trips by bus the most relaxing way to reach the city. Our guide to relaxed day trips from Newcastle to Sydney shares ideas for making the most of a visit on one of our Sydney bus tours.
Clubs, social groups and families can hire a private coach through Sid Fogg's coach charters, with each trip tailored to your dates, destination and passenger numbers. Our team can help shape the itinerary and plan the journey, drawing on decades of local knowledge and experience in passenger transport. Whether you are arranging a Christmas lunch, a winery visit or a day by the water, one coach keeps the whole group together, and our charter page is the place to start a conversation about your plans.
Booking a seat on either summer tour is straightforward, and the details for each are listed on our Day Tours page. Both tours depart from fixed pickup stops across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, including:
Swansea
Belmont
Charlestown
New Lambton
Cameron Park
Exact stop locations and pickup times vary by tour and are listed alongside each departure, so you can choose the stop that is most convenient for you. If you are unsure which stop is closest, we are happy to help.
Booking Cut-off Dates
Bookings close 7 days before each tour. Full payment is required at the time of booking, and for this summer the closing dates are:
Hunter Valley Christmas Lights and Dinner: Friday 4 December 2026.
Australia Day Cruise on Port Stephens: Tuesday 19 January 2027.
The Australia Day Cruise can be booked online, while seats on the Christmas Lights evening are requested through the enquiry form on our Day Tours page. Both booking pages also set out the full terms for each tour, including cancellations.
Summer days can be warm, and evenings in the Hunter Valley can turn cooler once the sun goes down. Our coaches are air-conditioned, so a few essentials help keep the day comfortable both on board and outdoors:
A hat and sunscreen for time spent outdoors.
A refillable water bottle for warm weather.
Comfortable walking shoes, particularly for exploring Hunter Valley Gardens.
A light layer for the coach and cooler evening breezes.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Newcastle forecast is a handy check the day before you travel. If you have specific dietary requirements for either tour, we are happy to confirm arrangements before departure.
Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often about our summer coach tours from Newcastle. For anything else, our team can be contacted on (02) 4928 1088 or at info@sidfoggs.com.au.
What Are the Best Day Trips from Newcastle This Summer?
Sid Fogg's two featured summer outings for 2026 to 27 are a Christmas evening in the Hunter Valley and an Australia Day cruise on Port Stephens. The Hunter Valley Christmas Lights and Dinner on Friday 11 December 2026 includes a roast dinner in Maitland and an evening at Hunter Valley Gardens, while the Australia Day Cruise on Port Stephens on Tuesday 26 January 2027 includes a cruise aboard the historic Wangi Queen and a BBQ lunch.
How Much Do Sid Fogg's Summer Tours Cost?
The Hunter Valley Christmas Lights and Dinner costs $100 per adult and $90 per child aged 4 to 15, including coach travel, dinner and entry to the Christmas Lights Spectacular. The Australia Day Cruise on Port Stephens costs $130 per person, with coach travel, the cruise, commentary, light entertainment and a BBQ lunch with dessert included.
Where Can I Be Picked Up?
Sid Fogg's summer tours collect travellers from fixed pickup stops in Swansea, Belmont, Charlestown, New Lambton and Cameron Park. Pickups begin at 4:15pm for the Hunter Valley Christmas Lights and Dinner and at 9:00am for the Australia Day Cruise on Port Stephens, with exact stop locations listed on the Day Tours page.
When Do Bookings Close for Sid Fogg's Day Tours?
Bookings for Sid Fogg's day tours close 7 days before each departure, so the Christmas Lights evening closes on Friday 4 December 2026 and the Australia Day Cruise closes on Tuesday 19 January 2027. Full payment is required at the time of booking, so it is worth securing your seat early.
Can I Hire a Private Coach for a Group Outing?
Yes. Sid Fogg's offers private coach charters for clubs, social groups and families, arranged around your group's dates, destination and passenger numbers. Our team can help plan the itinerary, from the first pickup to the final drop-off.
Make this summer one to remember with Sid Fogg's. From the magic of millions of Christmas lights at Hunter Valley Gardens to celebrating Australia Day on the beautiful waters of Port Stephens aboard the historic Wangi Queen, these two tours offer very different ways to get out, enjoy the season and make memories with family and friends.
With coach travel, meals and the key details taken care of, you can leave the driving and planning to us and focus on enjoying the experience. Seats are limited, so secure your place early for the Hunter Valley Christmas Lights and Dinner on 11 December 2026 or the Australia Day Cruise on Port Stephens on 26 January 2027.
Ready to plan your next day out? Explore our day tours and book your seat with Sid Fogg's. We look forward to welcoming you on board.
