The Sydney hotel offering guests free airport parking for 5 days

If you’ve ever felt the sting of paying eye-watering airport parking fees, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

Moxy Sydney Airport has just unveiled a travel deal that’s turning heads across the city: park for five nights free when you stay one night at the hotel, then pay only $15 per extra day or $100 per week if you need more time. Best of all, this new package includes a complimentary shuttle to both domestic and international terminals, making Moxy Sydney Airport the only hotel in the area offering airport transfers at no extra cost.

Located just minutes from Sydney Airport, Moxy Sydney Airport is already known for shaking up the traditional notion of an “airport hotel." With its trendy, vibrant décor, retro-style arcade games and craft cocktails at Bar Moxy, it’s a far cry from the tired, minimalist accommodation most travellers expect when they have an early flight. Now, its new parking deal and free shuttle service aim to ease the headaches of getting to and from the airport – especially if you’ve got bags, kids or an early-morning check-in.

MOXY Sydney Airport Lobby — Moxy Sydney Airport is already known for shaking up the traditional notion of an “airport hotel."

This offer is a real game-changer for travellers departing from Sydney, especially if you live regionally in Australia. But let’s break down the costs.

An overnight stay at the hotel starts at $166 per night. The cheapest parking rate for five days at Sydney Airport starts at $131.70 for the Blu Emu car park that connects to terminals 2 and 3 via an airport shuttle and this goes up to $439 for premium valet parking. Additional days range from $19.30 to $83 per day. You will potentially pay $34.30 more to spend the night at the hotel with inclusive free parking compared to five days of parking at $131.70. But when you add to this the value of skipping the usual scramble of finding reliable (and affordable) parking before a flight or eliminating the worry of train delays or Ubers that don’t show up, you’ve automatically removed 90 per cent of the stress associated with flying. It just makes a lot of sense!

The free shuttle itself also saves guests money. Airport trains can cost upwards of $17.34 per adult each way from Mascot Station, and a taxi or rideshare trip often sets you back even more. Moxy’s shuttle runs a continuous 20-minute loop, starting from 4.45am to 10.50pm for the domestic terminal and 5am to 10.50pm for the international terminal.

There’s also a convenient stop at Mascot Train Station, letting you reach downtown Sydney in just minutes – without facing the pricey station gate fee. Once you’ve booked your room, you’ll receive a link to reserve your preferred shuttle time and you can track its movements via a real-time “Uber-like" tracker on your phone or via digital displays in the hotel.

MOXY Sydney Airport shuttle bus — Moxy’s shuttle runs a continuous 20-minute loop.

The parking option, meanwhile, offers significant peace of mind. No one wants to worry about leaving their car in an expensive, uncovered lot while travelling. At Moxy Sydney Airport, your vehicle will be safely parked in a secure, undercover garage with 24/7 CCTV surveillance. If you’re flying out for a quick five-day trip, you won’t pay a cent beyond your room rate. If your travels take you away for longer, each extra day is just $15, and a full week of parking is capped at $100 – far cheaper than most standalone airport parking facilities.

While the cost savings are substantial, Moxy also delivers on fun. As part of the Marriott Bonvoy family, the hotel boasts stylish rooms with runway or city skyline views, plus a vibrant lobby that features playful touches like Skee-Ball and table tennis.

MOXY Sydney Airport Bar Moxy — Enjoy cocktails at Bar Moxy before your flight.

Finally, a pre-flight solution that lets you spend less time stressing about logistics – and more time getting excited about your upcoming adventure.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

Sydney hotel offering guests free airport parking for 5 days

If you’ve ever felt the sting of paying eye-watering airport parking fees, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

This Wes Anderson-style boutique hotel is a hidden gem in Sydney

25 of the best hotels in Sydney for your next city escape

The Sydney CBD stay that feels more like your dream apartment

The Brighton Hotel brings resort-style luxury to Sydney’s south

8 ways to discover a new side of Port Stephens