- Where: Brisbane to Sydney (Brisbane – Byron Bay – Woolgoolga – Port Macquarie- Nelson Bay – Sydney)
- Time: 2 weeks
- Distance: Around 1000 KM
Brisbane to Sydney Road Trip
Continuing on from our Cairns to Brisbane adventure, this Brisbane to Sydney road trip is a perfect itinerary for those who love the coast and like to put their feet up with plenty of gorgeous viewpoints.
As always, the places mentioned in this article are our personal favorite spots that we enjoyed for ourselves and saw with our own eyes.
Best of all, nearly all of them are free to do!
This Brisbane to Sydney road trip can be completed in two weeks, but as always, it is completely dependent on your timeframe and personal style of travel. If you like a place, simply stay longer!
Click the link to find out more about renting a car in Australia.
First Stop: Byron Bay
First up on our Brisbane to Sydney road trip is Byron Bay, located an hour and a half south of Gold Coast.
A hippy-style town with lots of interesting characters living there and passing through. There is a very chilled ambiance in the air, and no one seems to be in too much of a rush.
There will be plenty of backpackers out and about, and who knows you might even bump into some of the rich and famous who come to this beautiful seaside town to hang out.
With plenty of cool bars and quaint restaurants to choose from you will have your pick of places to dine and enjoy.
Most nights there will be gatherings in the streets of live music and street performers. Some are doing it to show their skills, others to make a few extra dollars.
Surfing and swimming are the main activities to do during the day. You can also go for a sunrise hike to the most Eastern point of Australia – Cape Byron.
Find all the information you need about the best things to do and places to eat in Byron Bay here.
Depending on your time and preference, you can stay in Byron Bay or after spending the day there, make your way to the next town of Woolgoolga.
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Woolgoolga
Byron Bay to Woolgoolga will take you two and a half hours by car.
Woolgoolga is a small, interesting seaside town to hang out for a few days. There is a large Sikh Community which shows in the impressive Temple and school that was built by the locals.
In Woolgoolga your time will be focused on taking time out!
Woolgoolga Accommodation
From stylish apartments, cozy B&Bs, caravan parks, motels, and hotels you are certain to discover something to your liking, ranging from economical budget accommodation right through to luxury sea-front accommodation.
Woolgoolga Things to Do
Your main activities are mostly sea-related – swimming, surfing, fishing, shore hikes, and whale watching. Make sure to check out the large bat colonies that live around the north side of Woolgoolga Beach.
There are tens of thousands of flying foxes that can make a lot of noise during the day! The most impressive sight though is when all the bats take off into the sky at dusk.
Stay in Woolgoolga for one night at the many campsites near the beach.
Coffs Harbour
Next on your Brisbane to Sydney trip and carrying on south from Woolgoolga you will only have to drive thirty minutes until your first stop – Coffs Harbour.
Before you arrive in the town take a drive into the mountains to Sealy lookout where you will encounter a viewpoint looking out over the entire area.
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Coffs Harbour Things to Do
Coffs Harbour is a beautiful coastal city in New South Wales that’s perfect for a relaxing getaway. One of the top things to do is take a leisurely stroll along the marina and waterfront, where you can enjoy the scenic views, grab some seafood at one of the many restaurants, and browse the local shops.
Don’t miss walking out to Mutton-bird Island. This is a very easy and small hike where you can see birdlife and of course, do a bit of whale watching.
Another must-see is the iconic Big Banana, a giant banana-shaped landmark that’s become a symbol of the city.
If you’re looking for some outdoor adventure, Coffs Harbour is surrounded by waterfalls and national parks, including the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Take a guided boat tour to spot dolphins, whales, or sea turtles, or go snorkelling or diving to explore the underwater world.
For thrill-seekers, there’s zip lining, tree top adventures, and water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. And if you have time, take a day trip to the nearby Dorrigo National Park, where you can hike to the stunning Dorrigo Waterfall and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside
Coffs Harbour Accommodation
Coffs Harbour offers comfortable accommodations that will suit every style; from family-friendly hotels with amenities galore all within walking distance of some beautiful beaches or resort spas where relaxation awaits at every turn – not mention affordable rates too good to miss!
Nambucca Heads
From Coffs Harbour the next stop is only another 30 minutes down the road – Nambucca Heads.
There is a viewpoint here that reminded us of the lookout at Whitehaven Beach Queensland. The water may not be as turquoise, but still a very impressive and beautiful sight with huge sandbanks blended into the mouth of the river.
Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is only an hour and a half drive away from Nambucca Heads.
On the way down take another small detour to South-West Rocks to visit the small but historical Trial Bay Gaol.
Port Macquarie Things to Do
We hope you know the routine by now once you get to Port Macquarie because the tempo is still very slow. Kick your feet back up and enjoy the many places you can swim, surf, fish and walk coastal tracks.
Take the nine-kilometre Coastal Walk from Port Macquarie’s town center to Lighthouse Beach — rated as one of the country’s top four spectacular coastal walks. This easy walk runs along one of the most dramatic coasts in Australia and will follow along beaches, headlands, and historic including the Tacking Point Lighthouse, and rainforests.
A stroll through the city center will unveil a variety of quaint boutiques, funky cafes, and restaurants, along with breweries and bars.
Port Macquarie is also home to the Koala Hospital, the world’s first hospital dedicated solely to the care and preservation of koalas.
Port Macquarie Accommodation
Yet another beautiful coastal town boasting accommodations for all budgets and needs.
The stunning beachfront Mantra The Observatory is always a popular choice for holiday goers but make sure to check out booking.com to nab yourself a deal.
Nelson Bay
Nelson Bay is a hidden gem and was one of our favorite places that left us wowed! It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Port Macquarie to Nelson Bay, and we recommend spending at least 3 days here.
We were based around One-Mile Beach which is a good central location and right on the beach. From here you can explore the sand dunes and watch dolphins playing and surfing the waves!
Nelson Bay Things to Do
The views from Tamaree Viewpoint are jaw-droppingly stunning, just wait until you see this.
It truly is Australia in all it’s glory. Embrace the views of the bay, which is surrounded by green forests, cliffs, and mountains, highlighted with white sand beaches and blue water.
Additionally, Fingal Bay is only 10 minutes from Nelson Bay. Drive to Fingal Beach and traverse along the beach in a north direction until you reach “The Spit” – a large sand bank that forms between the mainland and Shark Island when the tide is out (make sure to know the tide times as the tide can come back in at rapid pace).
Only a short spin south of One-mile Beach you will discover the sand dunes of Birubi Beach. You will not think you are in the same area when you are looking at this rugged massive sand-covered area.
Welcome to Sydney!
Welcome!! You have arrived from Brisbane to Sydney, congratulations!
Are you visiting Sydney on a budget? Then check out 25 tips to save money!
Things to Do in Sydney
Sydney is world-famous, and you can easily spend a week here. There are some of the most iconic landmarks in the world here, but Sydney has a lot more to offer than just the Opera House and Sydney Bridge. We would like to tell you about a few lesser-known sights that are also spectacular to see!
Beyond The Obvious – The Rocks Markets
Everybody knows about Sydney Bridge and the Opera House, but let’s find out what else there is to see in the area! Both sites are within walking distance from each other, and both are in an area called “The Rocks”.
This is a fantastic place full of stories, tales, and history. Visit one of many historical pubs where sailors from all over the world once stood where you stand now. Just like you they came to explore and have a refreshment, or two!
Walking around the small side streets you can nearly hear the voices from the past and the people that once lived here who helped to build this city!
Sydney Botanical Gardens
Only a couple hundred meters away from the Opera House you will find The Royal Botanical Garden of Sydney.
Founded in 1816 it is Australia’s oldest botanical garden. You can spend hours walking around here admiring an outstanding collection of trees and plants. Do not give this one a miss!!
Sydney Beaches
Bondi Beach
Did you know that Sydney has over 100 beaches? Some only a couple of meters, others a few kilometers.
Although you would have passed countless beaches on your Brisbane to Sydney road trip, Bondi Beach is probably the most famous one of all.
A bit too wild for my liking personally, it is still a famous landmark that is a must-see. If the sea is too rough for you, there are plenty of ocean pools to go swimming as well.
Coogee
If Bondi is the most famous and number one beach in Sydney, then Coogee Beach is a closely followed number two.
Take a walk from Bondi Beach along the coastline for a scenic 6KM walk. You will encounter tall crumbling sandstone cliffs with ice-blue water crashing in at the bottom.
Beautiful, quieter beaches line the walk with surfers in the water riding the enormous waves and showing off to each other.
At the midway point, you will find a large graveyard along the mighty cliff’s edge overlooking the wild ocean – Waverly Cemetery.
To some, this may not sound like a pleasant site to visit. I personally find it very interesting, again with all its history of so many people who came here before us trying to set up a new life in a new land.
Palm Beach
There is one beach that is technically not in Sydney but definitely worth a visit – Palm Beach AKA Home & Away Beach.
One hour north of Sydney this makes for a great and fun day trip. Hike up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse to take in the view of “Summer Bay”. Even if you don’t care about the TV show it is still worth a visit up here for its natural beauty and surroundings.
All of the above-mentioned attractions from Byron Bay to Sydney are free to visit and see!!
Sydney Whale Watching
If you are going to have to pay for one thing it should be for a Sydney whale-watching tour, and this is a two in one trip.
First of all, you will get to sail through Sydney Harbour, seeing all the sights. (I would also recommend booking an afternoon time slot if possible. We got to sail back into the harbor at sunset which was spectacular).
Secondly, after seeing whales from the mainland on your trip coming down, you will now finally get to see them close up!
- From Sydney, book a 3-hour Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran
- From Sydney, book a 2-hour Express Whale Watching Tour
*A good tip, learned from experience, is not to consume 10 pints of Guinness the night before a Sydney whale-watching excursion……..
Brisbane to Sydney: Things to Consider
- It can get quite cold in New South Wales in the winter months (June – August) make sure you pack warm gear.
- Sydney can be manic if you are driving there for the first time. Try and remain patient and calm – if you can do this, please leave me know how!
- The beaches in Sydney can be quite deceiving with riptides occurring often. If you are not a confident swimmer, then don’t test the waters.
- The most important one of all – Have fun and enjoy!
Enjoy Your Brisbane to Sydney Road Trip!
That’s it you have completed your Brisbane to Sydney road trip – was this something you have completed previously or is it now put on your bucket list??
We would love to hear your thoughts and how you got on. Please feel free to leave us a message below or contact us through our socials.
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