Killcare, Terrigal & Port Stephens

• Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
• Distance: ~473 km return
• Starts & ends: Sydney
• Where to stay: Killcare (1 night), Terrigal (1 night), Port Stephens (1 night)

This NSW food-focused road trip links three standout coastal meals: Bells at Killcare on the Central Coast, Amarilla at Terrigal and Rick Stein at Bannisters in Port Stephens. It is a trip built around the table: long dinners, unhurried mornings by the water and enough beach or walk time between meals to make you feel like you’ve earned an amazing meal.

The route works as a 4-day, 3-night loop, with one night in Killcare, one night in Terrigal and one night in Port Stephens. It suits couples, food lovers and anyone who wants a short NSW coastal road trip where the accommodation and dinner bookings are the focus of the trip.

This complete road trip guide covers day-by-day itinerary recommendations, as well as alternatives and ideas for extending the trip. Throughout, you’ll find links to Next Escape destination guides for more ideas, including activities, dining and accommodation recommendations in each location.

Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences, with honest, practical, independent travel advice based on first-hand visits: the beaches we’ve swum at, the restaurants we’ve eaten at, the walks we’ve actually done. This page may contain affiliate links; if you book or buy through them, Next Escape may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Trip highlights

• Stay at Bells at Killcare, a boutique Central Coast hotel with cottages, gardens and Wild Flower Bar & Dining on site.
• Have dinner at Amarilla in Terrigal, with Spanish food, sunset views across the water and a drinks list built around sangria, Estrella and Spanish wine.
• Finish with Rick Stein at Bannisters Port Stephens, where the fish pie is the dish we would plan the night around.
• Add coastal walks, oyster stops, beach swims and relaxed breakfasts between the main restaurant bookings.
• The itinerary keeps the driving manageable, with the longest day saved for the return to Sydney.

Daily plan

• Day 1: Sydney to Killcare, around 1.5 hours, ~101 km, dinner at Wild Flower Bar & Dining.
• Day 2: Killcare to Terrigal, around 20 minutes, ~16 km, dinner at Amarilla.
• Day 3: Terrigal to Port Stephens, around 2 hours, ~141 km, dinner at Rick Stein.
• Day 4: Port Stephens to Sydney, around 2.5 hours, ~215 km.

Total driving: ~473 km return.

Route map

Day 1: Sydney to Killcare

Around 1.5 hours, ~101 km

For beaches, walks and more places to eat nearby, see our complete Killcare guide.

Leaving Sydney

The drive from Sydney to Killcare is an easy run north via the M1 Pacific Motorway, with the final stretch winding through Bouddi National Park. Killcare is a good first stop because it is a fairly short drive, but the bushland, small roads and quiet bays make it feel much further from the city.

Stay at Bells at Killcare

Our recommended accommodation in Killcare is Bells at Killcare, a boutique hotel and restaurant in Killcare Heights, sitting up the hill from Killcare Beach on one side and Hardys Bay on the other. Accommodation includes a range of Hampton-style 1 or 2 bedroom cottages and lodges set in landscaped grounds, with little creeks, meandering paths and a manicured lawn with places to sit, read and relax.

Aim to arrive with enough time to check in, walk through the grounds and have a relaxed afternoon before dinner. There is a pool onsite for an afternoon swim, and a bar with indoor and outdoor seating for a pre-dinner wine or cocktail. If you’d like a more active afternoon, see below for a few ideas to explore Killcare, or check out the Next Escape Guide to Killcare for a full run down.

Dinner at Wild Flower Bar & Dining

The first dinner of your food-focused road trip is at Wild Flower Bar & Dining, the on-site restaurant at Bells at Killcare. Although this is absolutely quality dining, the atmosphere isn’t stuffy. It’s more of a stylish, casual coastal vibe with friendly, rather than formal, service. The menu is focused around fresh, seasonal produce and the meals are generous, tasty and gorgeously presented.

The optional Chef’s menu is guaranteed to fill you up (and make you glad you only have a short walk back to your cottage). Our favourites when we visited were the eye fillet (cooked to perfection), the caviar (pictured below) and the mozzarella.

Backup dinner: Anchor on Hardys Bay

If Bells is fully booked or you decide not to stay on site, Anchor on Hardys Bay is the next best option in the area. It sits right on the bay, with Italian-influenced food, a strong wine list, generous share plates and views across the water. Depending on the timing of your road trip, you’ll need to call to check they are open on the night you are visiting and book ahead.

What to do in Killcare

• Walk Killcare Beach and Putty Beach, a 1.6 km stretch of sand with rock pools at the southern end.
• Do all or part of the Bouddi Coastal Walk, an 8 km end-to-end walk from MacMasters Beach to Putty Beach. Bells offers a pickup service from Putty Beach or the Killcare Surf Life Saving Club (at the Killcare Beach end) to drive you back up the hill after you finish your walk.
• Explore Hardys Bay waterfront, with the little wharf, grassed picnic area, coffee and pastries from The Fat Goose.

Day 2: Killcare to Terrigal

Around 20 minutes, ~16 km

For more beaches, walks, restaurants and accommodation options, see our complete Terrigal guide.

Morning in Killcare

Start with breakfast before leaving Killcare. If you didn’t check out the beach or Bouddi Coastal Walk on day one, this is the easiest time to do it before the drive to Terrigal. The drive today is short, so there is no need to rush.

Afternoon in Terrigal

After the short drive, you’ll have a full afternoon to explore Terrigal. Walk The Skillion, swim at Terrigal Beach or hire a paddleboard or kayak on the lagoon. If you want the classic Terrigal view, allow about an hour to explore The Skillion. Although the walk is short, there are multiple viewing platforms to visit, especially if you have timed this trip during whale season from May to October.

If you are looking for a casual lunch, Terrigal Pavilion is a great pick for pizzas, salads, burgers and beers. Its location combines well with your walk on The Skillion.

Stay at Crowne Plaza Terrigal

Crowne Plaza Terrigal is the accommodation pick for this itinerary. It is directly across the road from the beach, close to Terrigal’s restaurants and cafés, and has a pool, spa, gym and parking. Rooms and suites have balconies, and many have ocean views.

It is not the most boutique stay on the route, but it is ideally situated – you can park the car, explore the nearby beach and walk to dinner. The Meribella Bar is also a perfect spot for afternoon cocktails with its sunny rooms and arched windows looking out over the beach. Arrive early to snag a table near the window if you can.

Dinner at Amarilla, Terrigal

Amarilla is a Spanish restaurant right on the waterfront, right next to Terrigal Haven. The views across Terrigal at sunset are gorgeous, and the food lives up to the setting – gildas, empanadas, embutidos (Spanish cold cuts), and seafood tapas. The drinks list is just as authentic: jugs of sangria, Estrella beer, and a solid selection of Spanish (and Australian and New Zealand) wines.

Personal note: Our favourites on our last visit were the cold cuts, scallops (with a cauliflower purée and pancetta), and the pork cutlets. The cold cuts in particular were amazing, including interesting varieties like chilli and fennel, and squid ink salami, all sliced paper thin.

Backup dinner: Coral, Terrigal

If Amarilla is unavailable, Coral is a good date-night backup with seafood platters, a great wine list and excellent service.

What to do in Terrigal

• Walk The Skillion, a 1.4 km return walk with ocean views and good whale-watching potential from May to October.
• Swim at Terrigal Beach, which is patrolled in the warmer months and easy to pair with coffee or a smoothie at the Terrigal Surf Cafe.
• Paddleboard or kayak on the calm waters of the Terrigal Lagoon.
• If you don’t mind a drive, the Coast Walking Track runs 3 km one-way between Bateau Bay and Forresters Beach, or 6 km if you walk the full out-and-back. Crackneck Point, about 15 minutes from Terrigal, is a great starting point.

Day 3: Terrigal to Port Stephens

Around 2 hours, ~141 km

For more beaches, restaurants, accommodation and activities across the peninsula, see our complete Nelson Bay and Port Stephens guide.

Morning in Terrigal

Start with breakfast in Terrigal. Two good options are the Bellyfish Cafe (chilli crab souffle or build-your-own-brunch are our favourites) or the Terrigal Surf Cafe right next to the Surf Life Saving Club on the beach (casual, outdoor beach-side tables).

Head off after breakfast to leave enough time for the drive north and a proper afternoon in Port Stephens. This day has the most flexibility. You can make it a beach day, an oyster stop or a low-key hotel afternoon before dinner.

Afternoon in Port Stephens

If you want a food-focused afternoon, go to Holberts Oyster Farm in Salamander Bay for freshly shucked oysters at outdoor tables with water views. If you want the best view before dinner, do the Tomaree Head Summit Walk, a steep 45-minute return walk with 360-degree views over Port Stephens.

For something gentler, head to Inner Light Tea Rooms in Nelson Bay for scones, jam and cream near the historic Lighthouse Keepers Cottage, or spend the afternoon around Fingal Bay, Anna Bay or Little Beach.

Option 1: Dine and stay at Bannisters Port Stephens

Bannisters Port Stephens is the natural base if Rick Stein at Bannisters is the main event. The property sits at Soldiers Point, with treetop and water views, a large pool, deck chairs, a pool bar and three dining options on site.

Having the restaurant downstairs removes the biggest bit of logistics from the evening. If you are building the trip around dinner, this is the easiest place to stay. Rick Stein at Bannisters is the standout fine-dining option on this stretch of coast. The menu changes daily based on what is fresh, with seafood as the focus.

Personal note: The pick for us, every time, is the Bannisters Fish Pie. We loved it so much we bought the cookbook. If you want to recreate it at home the recipe is also available through SBS Food online. Book as far ahead as possible, especially for weekends.

Option 2: The Anchorage, Corlette

The Anchorage is the better fit if you want a more intimate marina setting. It has Hamptons-style rooms, family and adults-only pools, Moby’s Bar and The Galley Kitchen on site.

Choose The Anchorage if you prefer The Galley Kitchen for dinner, or if you want the final night to feel quieter and more boutique. The Galley Kitchen has excellent steaks, a solid wine list, friendly service and peaceful marina views.

What to do in Port Stephens

• Take a dolphin or whale watching cruise. Dolphins are seen year-round, while whale season runs from May to November.
• Walk the Tomaree Head Summit Track for the best panoramic view on the peninsula. If you are not keen on an uphill hike, you can also walk around the waterfront.
• Spend time at Fingal Bay or Anna Bay if you want a beach swim.
• Visit Stockton Sand Dunes at Birubi Beach, the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, for camel and horse rides.
• Have a casual waterfront lunch at Little Beach Boathouse.
• Visit the Shoal Bay Country Club for afternoon beers in the sun.

For more ideas, check out our full guide to Nelson Bay and Port Stephens.

Day 4: Port Stephens to Sydney

Around 2.5 hours, ~215 km

Morning in Port Stephens

Keep the final morning relaxed with breakfast at your accommodation. If you have time before leaving, choose one final gentle stop: Little Beach, Inner Light Tea Rooms, Soldiers Point Jetty or a walk near the water.

The drive home

The drive back to Sydney via the Pacific Highway and M1 is around 2.5 hours in normal conditions. Build in extra time on Sunday afternoons, school holidays and long weekends, when traffic heading back towards Sydney can slow the final stretch.

If you want one final lunch destination on your return journey and don’t mind a 30-minute detour, The BOX on the Water in Ettalong Beach is a great coastal stop for share plates and beach views.

Extending this trip

• Add a second night in Killcare if you want time for the full Bouddi Coastal Walk, Maitland Bay and a slower Bells stay.
• Add a second night in Terrigal if you want a proper Central Coast beach break, with time for The Skillion, the lagoon, nearby Avoca Beach and a long lunch.
• Add a second night in Port Stephens if you want to explore the beaches, do both the Tomaree Head walk and a dolphin or whale watching cruise without rushing the final day.

Planning for this road trip

• Check current opening hours and book ahead for Rick Stein at Bannisters, The Galley Kitchen, Wild Flower Bar & Dining and Amarilla, as services vary by day and by season.
• Book any tours, including dolphin or whale watching and Stockton Sand Dunes activities, in advance.
• The trip works well from Thursday to Sunday, but midweek stays are usually easier to book and may have better accommodation rates.

FAQs

Is this trip suitable for families?

It can work for food-loving families, but probably not those with young children. All the accommodation and dining options are family-friendly, but the focus on long dinners makes this less practical for toddlers or early bedtimes.

Can you do this trip without a car?

A car is strongly recommended. Killcare is reachable from Woy Woy station and then by taxi or Uber, and Terrigal is accessible from Gosford by bus or taxi, but Port Stephens is much harder without your own transport. The trip also relies on moving easily between beaches, restaurants and accommodation.

What is the best time of year?

The trip works year-round. Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is better for beach time, but restaurants and accommodation book out faster. Winter suits the food-first version of the trip, with quieter towns, better availability, off-season accommodation rates and long dinners.

Can you reverse the route?

Yes, you could easily reverse this route if you’d prefer to get the longer driving day out of the way at the start of the trip.