Old Pacific Highway & Hawkesbury Drive Pack | The Stable

Escape the city and discover one of Sydney’s most cherished driving roads: the Old Pacific Highway. This 36-kilometre ribbon of butter-smooth tarmac, once the primary route north, is now a haven for driving enthusiasts, carving a path through the stunning Berowra Valley and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Parks. Your journey begins in Hornsby, where the urban landscape quickly dissolves into a serene world of towering eucalyptus trees. The road’s character reveals itself immediately—a symphony of flowing, well-cambered bends with excellent sight lines that invite a spirited but safe pace.

The drive is punctuated by breathtaking scenic stops. Pause at the Mount Kuring-gai Lookout for panoramic vistas of the dense bushland, or take a charming detour for a ride on the Berowra Waters Ferry. The undisputed highlight, however, is the magnificent descent to the Hawkesbury River. Here, the road sweeps down towards the water, offering tantalizing glimpses of the river through the trees before arriving at the picturesque village of Brooklyn. This tranquil fishing and yachting community, with its array of waterside cafes and restaurants, is the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch. While not a technically demanding road, the Old Pacific Highway offers a pure, unadulterated driving experience—a perfect blend of engaging corners and spectacular scenery, all within an easy day trip from Sydney.