Sydney to Brisbane road trip: coastal itinerary

The stretch of coastline between Sydney and Brisbane is peak holiday! Its glorious beaches and bushland are within driving distance of two main Australian cities, so the coast is full of places to stay and things to do.

Driving from Sydney to Brisbane direct will take you about 9.5 hours (without stops) to cover just over 900 kilometres. But I would only recommend doing that if you’re in a rush.

With so many good places to stop between Sydney and Brisbane, it’s worth taking your time, staying overnight, and enjoying the sights and experiences along the way.

In fact, this Sydney to Brisbane road trip is so good that it’s got the official name: ‘The Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route’.

The variety of the coastal route from Sydney to Brisbane is part of the appeal. You’ve got a big city like Newcastle, popular tourist hubs like Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, trendy carefree destinations like Byron Bay, and even the glamour of the Gold Coast.

There are national parks along beaches and in rainforest, fantastic tour companies that can take you kayaking or snorkelling, incredible local produce including fruits and gins, and some world-class hotels and restaurants.

This stretch of Australia’s coast is busy – probably the busiest of the whole country – but there are still plenty of quiet and relaxing areas. Slowing down and enjoying the pace of these beachside neighbourhoods is a nice change from the hectic cities at either end.

To help you plan your road trip from Sydney to Brisbane, I’ve put together a suggested itinerary with some of my favourite stops. It’s about 1050 kilometres long and will involve just over 12 hours of actual driving.

I’ve made this Sydney to Brisbane road trip along the coast a seven-day itinerary. But, as with all the itineraries I make here at Travel Australia Today, I’d suggest just using it as a guide and tailoring things for your own preferences.

For instance, some of the stops are definitely worth at least a couple of nights if you have time, particularly Byron Bay.

You may also want to spend more than a night in some places and do little detours to explore other things, like the Hunter Valley from Newcastle or Dorrigo National Park from Bellingen.

On the other hand, you might be in a rush to drive from Sydney to Brisbane. In that case, it’s easy just to skip some of these stops and choose to stay in the destinations that appeal most to you.

Also, it’s worth pointing out that there are lots of other fantastic places to stay along this route beyond just the ones I’m recommending. There are some great alternatives, and I’ll mention some of them as we go along.

So, before I get into the details of the itinerary, have a look at this map to get a sense of where I’m going to recommend you stop along this drive.

The actual navigation for this road trip is really easy. Most of the drive will just be north up the Pacific Highway, which is an excellent road that is now all dual carriageway.

There are a few destinations where you’ll have to drive off the highway, but not very far, and those roads are also very good.

The biggest issue you’ll likely have on this road is other people! These are some of Australia’s most popular domestic holiday destinations, so they can get very busy.

It’s really important that you take note of when school holidays are happening in New South Wales and Queensland. If you can avoid those weeks, that’ll make things a bit easier for you. If you can’t avoid the holidays, make sure to book your accommodation as early as possible.

The good news is that there is normally an option somewhere. I’m recommending some of the main places to stop on the road between Sydney and Brisbane, but there are lots of other small places along the way. Check for accommodation there too, if you get stuck.

Now, with all that being said, let’s get into this coastal road trip from Sydney to Brisbane.

Day 1

Sydney – Newcastle

2h 10m of driving (170 km)

Can you believe that some people do this leg of the itinerary as their daily commute? With Sydney such an expensive city, it’s become more popular for people to live in the Central Coast or even Newcastle and come into the city for work.

What this means is that this drive can be quite busy. The traffic can be annoying getting out through Sydney’s suburbs, but once you’ve passed Wahroonga, you’re on the M1 so it’s a fast easy highway most of the way.

But it’s also quite a lovely drive, with the gorgeous views through the Hawkesbury a highlight.

Although I’m recommending Newcastle as the stop for this day, there are a few other options you could consider.

• A popular alternative is a night in the Hunter Valley to visit the wineries, if you haven’t already done that as a day trip.
• For something a bit quieter and more coastal, you could stay on the Central Coast instead and just pop into Newcastle on the way through.
• My suggestion for night two, Port Stephens, is not far from Newcastle so you could stay there instead and just skip the night in the city.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind that it’s all within easy reach of Sydney so can get quite busy on the weekends and holidays.

Newcastle has changed dramatically in recent years and has become one of the coolest cities in the country. Once known for its industry, it’s now full of cool cafes and bars.

The beaches are beautiful and you could spend plenty of time along the coast, perhaps swimming at Merewether Beach, walking the Bathers Way, or popping into the historic Ocean Baths.

But don’t miss the city centre, where you’ll find great dining and drinking amongst the heritage sites and museums. There’s cool street art everywhere but a highlight is the recently-redeveloped Newcastle Art Gallery.

It’s easy to fill your time here, so check out my suggestions for the best things to do in Newcastle.

You could also stay here a couple of nights and use it as a base for a day trip to the Hunter Valley to visit the wineries.

Day 2

Newcastle – Port Stephens

1 hour of driving (60 km)

Today’s drive is very short and, if you prefer, you could even stay in Newcastle another night and do this as a day trip.

But there’s a reason I’ve included Port Stephens in my Sydney to Brisbane road trip itinerary up the coast – because it’s got a heap of interesting activities but still feels like a sleepy coastal escape.

It’s the perfect place to ‘do’ things, not just ‘see’ things.

Having said that, if you’re in a hurry to get up the coast, Port Stephens is an easy stop to skip. It doesn’t get you much closer to Brisbane and there’s even a little extra driving to detour here (the main town, Nelson Bay, is about 30 kilometres/25 minutes off the highway).

Take the time to explore, though, and you’ll find some unique experiences.

When people talk about Port Stephens, they’re generally referring to the peninsula just north of Newcastle that has a collection of small towns and beaches along its coast.

Almost at the eastern point of the peninsula is the largest town, Nelson Bay, but other popular areas are Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay, Salamander Bay, and Anna Bay.

One of the highlights here are the Stockton Sand Dunes, the longest coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere (more than 30 kilometres long). You can explore them by yourself or join a 4WD tour to go sand boarding.

The gorgeous Tomaree National Park has stunning viewpoints and hiking trails, while you can go out on the water on a boat, kayak, or maybe paddle board.

For more ideas, have a look at my story about the best things to do in Port Stephens.

Day 3

Port Stephens – Port Macquarie

2h 40m of driving (250 km)

This is almost the longest drive of the itinerary – but the direct route is only 250 kilometres, so you can easily reach Port Macquarie before lunch if you want.

The Pacific Highway is in good condition here and it should be an easy drive, with some nice bushland as scenery along the way.

There isn’t really much for tourists along this stretch of the highway. The main town you’ll pass through is Taree, but I think a nicer place to stop for a break is Nabiac (or even Buladelah).

An alternative drive that I would recommend here (if you have time) is to jump off the Pacific Highway and instead take a road called The Lakes Way.

This is an 80 kilometre route that starts near Buladelah and then heads to the coast, passing by Myall Lake and Wallis Lake. It also goes through the beachside towns of Forster and Tuncurry.

It’s a lovely scenic drive and there are lots of places to stop along the way for a walk, a swim, or a bite to eat. It only adds about 30 minutes of driving, so is worth considering.

Port Macquarie is a relatively large city (the tenth biggest in NSW), yet it does a good job of feeling like a tourist town.

Much of the action is focused on the water, whether that’s the Hastings River that wraps around the centre, or the beaches along the coastal suburbs.

You can see much of it along the nine-kilometre coastal walk that includes delightful artworks along the breakwall. Take a little detour and you can also visit the famous Koala Conservation Hospital.

Interestingly, Port Macquarie was founded as a convict colony, so there’s also lots of heritage to see here in the city centre, including a good historical museum.

You’ll have no trouble filling your time here, so have a look at my suggestions for the best things to do in Port Macquarie.

Day 4

Port Macquarie – Bellingen

1h 30m of driving (140 km)

This stretch takes you to about mid-point between Sydney and Brisbane, so it’s a popular region for people to stop overnight if they’re doing the drive in just two days.

The obvious place to stop tonight is Coffs Harbour. It’s a relatively big city with lots to offer, although it’s not the most famous beach destination on the coast.

But instead, for my Sydney to Brisbane itinerary, I’m going to recommend a slight detour off the highway to stay in Bellingen, a village in the hinterland that will give you a bit more variety (and easier access to one of the region’s best national parks)..

If that doesn’t interest you, I won’t be offended – Coffs Harbour is still a great option, or you could even push through a bit further to Yamba.

Bellingen is only about ten minutes’ drive off the highway, so it’s not much of a detour to head up into the hinterland and stay here for the night.

Whatever the weather in Coffs Harbour, you’ll find it cooler and crisper up here. The atmosphere is also slower, a bit more bohemian, while the buildings in the town centre have preserved Victorian and Art Deco facades.

You can spend some time in the vintage stores and art galleries, or relax in the cafes and restaurants (there’s a great food scene here).

If you have time, I would definitely recommend the scenic (and curvy) drive up Waterfall Way to Dorrigo National Park for the Skywalk lookout and immersive walks through Gondwana rainforests.

Day 5

Bellingen – Byron Bay

3 hours of driving (270 km)

You’ll notice today that the bushland around you is getting greener and more lush as you start to get into some of Australia’s southern rainforests.

This is the longest drive of the trip, but is still only three hours. If you wanted to break up the itinerary even further, you could spend the night in Yamba, a lovely coastal community that’s becoming more gentrified (with some new trendy hotels).

From Bellingen, you’ll pass through Coffs Harbour first, so you could stop there for a bit.

Closer to the end of the drive, Ballina is another good option for a break.

But the main destination today is Byron Bay, the jewel of the NSW North Coast. It’s a popular destination with lots to do, so you might want to just get there and spend a couple of nights enjoying it.

More than just a road trip stop, Byron Bay is one of the most popular destinations in Australia – and for good reason.

What was once a lazy relaxed surfing community has grown into a trendy epicentre of wellness and good food. It’s definitely become a lot busier (it can feel like half of Sydney is here in the holidays), but hasn’t lost that coastal vibe.

It’s easy just to spend your time hanging at the beach and eating at the excellent cafes and restaurants. A walk around Cape Byron and up to the lighthouse is a must-do as well.

But beyond that, you could do snorkelling or diving to spend more time in the water, or head up into the hinterland to find waterfalls and small towns.

I’ve got lots more suggestions in my story about things to do in Byron Bay.

Day 6

Byron Bay – Gold Coast

1h 15m of driving (90 km)

The drive to the Gold Coast is less than 100 kilometres and will feel like a breeze. Rather than think of today as a ‘driving day’, think of it as a ‘doing day’. Especially as you’ll be going through a region known as the Tweed.

I was almost going to suggest spending a night in the Tweed, and the only reason I didn’t is because this glorious region is so close to both Byron Bay and the Gold Coast anyway.

So, on your way through, you could pop into Tropical Fruit World, do a tasting at the Husk Farm Distillery, see some art at the Tweed Regional Gallery, walk a short trail in Wollumbin National Park (the Mt Warning track is closed), and much more.

I’ve got more tips in my guide on the best things to do in the Tweed.

Of course, you could just head straight to the Gold Coast and make the most of your time there instead.

One of the main tourist areas in Australia, the Gold Coast has so many different personalities.

Its waves attract young surfers, while its quieter beaches appeal to older slower travellers.

There’s the nightlife in Surfers Paradise and the family-friendly themes parks on the outskirts.

You can do adventure activities like jet skiing or skydiving, or you can find quiet hiking in the national parks of the hinterland.

My point is, there’s something here for everyone and it’s easy to fill a few days, regardless of what you’re looking for. There’s even the excellent HOTA art gallery for when it’s raining (or sunny).

So don’t rush this part of your trip, and have a look at my tips for the best things to do on the Gold Coast to help plan your stay

Day 7

Gold Coast – Brisbane

1h 20m of driving (85 km)

It’s another very short drive today, just 85 kilometres on the highway to the centre of Brisbane, so you’ve got a few options of how to spend the day.

For instance, you could just race up the highway in the morning and arrive for a full day of activities in Brisbane.

You could spend the day on the Gold Coast or at a theme park and head up to Brisbane after dinner.

Or you could take an alternative drive to the direct route and explore some of the hinterland. (If you haven’t done much hinterland yet, this would be my recommendation.)

And then, before you know it, you’ll arrive in Brisbane! It may only be 900 kilometres from Sydney, but Australia’s third-largest city feels really different (partly because it has much warmer weather).

Much of the city centre and areas along the river have been redeveloped over recent years, and they’re filled with gorgeous parklands, cultural events, and dining precincts.

You can climb the Story Bridge, visit the QAGOMA art galleries, see animals at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, or just hang out at South Bank.

There’s excellent dining throughout Brisbane, live music in Fortitude Valley, and lovely communities with weekly markets.

I’ve got a long list of tips in my story about things to do in Brisbane.

Depending on how long you’re staying in Brisbane and where you’re going next, you may also want to consider some side trips to places like the Sunshine Coast or Tangalooma.