sydney to gold coast road trip distance

Road Trip from Sydney to Gold Coast

A road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast is one of Australia's classic drives, whether you take the coastal route or head inland and explore the countryside of New South Wales and Queensland. Both showcase areas of incredible scenic beauty, as well as taking you to some wonderful coastal cities and quaint rural towns.

The 845-km road trip from Sydney to the Gold Coast follows the Pacific Highway for 9 hours, passing Palm Beach, Terrigal, Coffs Harbour, Yamba and Byron Bay. Alternatively, swing inland to see the Hunter Valley, Tamworth, and Washpool National Park.

This is just a small selection of the many attractions and notable places you can see on this terrific journey. Keep on reading to learn all about them - as well as our guidance for the best road trip route, where to stay along the way, and the best time to take your road trip.

How far is Gold Coast from Sydney and how long will the road trip take?

There are two main routes you can take to get from Sydney to the Gold Coast.

The most direct is via the Pacific Highway, which skirts the coastline. If you love beaches then you will love this drive as it will give you plenty of chances to hit the best sand and surf spots.

Generally this route takes about 9 hours of non-stop driving to complete the 845km distance. So it's possible to leave Sydney after breakfast and arrive on the Gold Coast in time for dinner.

An alternative route will take you through the gorgeous countryside of the New England Highway - a longer journey that takes about 11 hours and 15 minutes to complete the 1000km distance.

This route should appeal to oenophiles in particular, as it will take you through the heart of wine country. It also showcases plenty of historic towns that are rich in cultural significance and heritage.

Best road trip route from Sydney to Gold Coast

A road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast is a fabulous drive which offers plenty of gorgeous views and notable points of interest.

It's also a fairly easy drive to undertake with clear signposting, very good roads and plenty of small towns that offer opportunities to refill your gas, take a bathroom break, or grab some food.

The Pacific Highway Route

From Sydney, the Pacific Highway will take you all the way to the Gold Coast, a superb drive that enables you to visit a number of fantastic beach destinations. One of the most famous of them is Palm Beach, which you may well recognise as the setting for the TV show Home & Away.

Leave Sydney on the M1, which starts just north of the Harbour Bridge, then change onto the M2 and A28 before merging back onto the M1 - the Pacific Highway. Although the route name switches between M1 and A1 and points along the way, you'll essentially follow the same road all the way to Gold Coast.

On the way you can take in Terrigal, which boasts a fabulous wide stretch of golden beach.

A little further north you'll pass Coffs Harbour, where in addition to the stunning coastline you can visit the Big Banana - the biggest amusement park on this stretch of coast, complete with the world's largest banana.

Make sure to check out the charming coastal town of Yamba, and the chilled, laid back vibes of Byron Bay as you continue on up the Pacific Highway.

All of these beach side destinations will give you plenty of opportunities to swim, surf, paddleboard, kayak or undertake a wide range of other water sports.

The New England Highway Route

The New England Highway will take you through the heart of The Hunter Valley.

To get there, start off leaving Sydney via the M1 and A1, as with the Pacific Highway Route, as far as Seahampton, where you'll turn onto the M15.

The M15 leads you through the Hunter Valley, where the delightful scenery offers you views across some of Australia's finest vineyards. You'll have plenty of opportunities to stop off at the wineries on this route, to visit their cellar doors where you can enjoy tastings and charcuterie boards.

If you take a short detour along Lovedale Road, Wine Country Drive and Broke Road you'll reach Pokolbin, or carry on until the M15 becomes the A15 to stop at Muswellbrook. Both towns contain a range of world class wineries, including Ivanhoe Wines, the Waverley Estate and the Wynwood Estate.

Continue further along the A15 past Willow Tree and you will reach Tamworth, which is home to the second biggest country music festival in the world. Here, turn right onto the B56/A15 to continue your drive along the New England Highway.

Where the roads separate at Bendemeer, stay on the A15 through Uralla to reach Armidale. This town in the Northern Tablelands has been labelled the 'Cathedral City' on account of its stunning architecture.

Continuing on you can make a detour to Glencoe, which features the Red Lion Tavern, a traditional old English-style pub that is definitely worth stopping in for a pint.

Otherwise, at Gleninnes turn onto the B76 Gwydir Highway, which takes you past a series of spectacular national parks. Gibraltar Range National Park and Washpool National Park are both accessible from the B76 and offer some fantastic hiking opportunities.

Further along the road, a trip to Nymboida National Park lets you get even further off the beaten track. Note that a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended to get into the heart of this national park.

Or for a different sort of experience, book ahead for a thrilling rafting trip along the Nymboida River - you can arrange for pick up in Grafton for easier access to the park.

As you approach South Grafton, take Charles Street then turn left to briefly follow the B91 towards Grafton centre, before turning right at the roundabout onto Big River Way. This takes you to the Pacific Highway at Tyndale - then simply follow the Pacific Highway Route all the way to Gold Coast.

Best places to stop between Sydney and Gold Coast

Whichever route you decide to take, we recommend making at least one, if not a couple of overnight stops.

There are lots of fantastic places you can choose to stay at, but here are some of our favourites.

Seek out koalas in Port Macquarie

Located at the mouth of the Hastings River around 4 hours out of Sydney, just short of the half way point of this route, Port Macquarie is a great place to take a break on your drive if you are taking the Pacific Highway Route.

Historically a penal colony, Port Macquarie is better known now for its fantastic beaches and the diversity of wildlife. In fact, this seaside town also has the highest koala population on the east coast of Australia. If you're not lucky enough to spot one in the wild you can meet them at nearby Billabong Zoo.

If you want to find out more about the past of Port Macquarie and surrounding areas, the Hastings Historical Society Museum is a great place to start. Then take the short drive to Sea Acres National Park for a glimpse of the coastal rainforests that the first European settlers here would have been greeted with when they arrive.

Wrap the day up with some time on one of the city's stunning beaches - the sweeping wide sands of Lighthouse Beach are a great place to start.

After a day of driving and exploring, you'll want to find somewhere relaxing to recharge your batteries - and The Ana Mandara Luxury Bed & Breakfast is the perfect place for that . Set on two beautiful acres that overlook the Hastings River, the property is within a five minute drive to five different beaches.

The town centre is still only a short drive if you want to check out the local bars and restaurants, or maybe just chill out and relax in the onsite hot tub.

Embrace the chill out vibes of Byron Bay (Pacific Highway Route)

Boasting fantastic beaches, verdant hinterland and a distinctly relaxed ambiance, you should definitely take the opportunity to embrace the chill out vibes of Byron Bay.

Nearby also, is the iconic Byron Bay Lighthouse. This is first place in Australia to witness the sunrise every morning. So if you can get up early enough, you'll be able to check it out in all its glory.

If you're going to be spending the night in town, chances are you want somewhere right by the ocean, and close enough to Byron Bay's restaurants and bars that you won't have to get back in the car again after a day on the road. Beach Hotel Resort offers you just that, just a stones throw from Byron Bay Main Beach this popular hotel boasts amazing sea views in the heart of the action.

Right at the doorstep of the Beach Hotel, known locally as 'The Beachy', you can enjoy the beautiful spa swimming pool and hot tub in the day, and then live music each night. There promises to be plenty going on once the sun goes down!

Alternatively, if you're looking to stretch your budget on a really stylish accommodation option, look no further than The Villas of Byron , where self-contained apartments come with private pool and hot tub. There's even a resident chef who can make you exceptional 3-course meals, as well as fabulous sushi and seafood platters.

Situated right near Main Beach, the accommodation is very close to Byron's main strip of cafes and bars, which will be very handy for you when you want to head out for a night on the tiles.

Take a detour through the Hunter Valley (New England Highway Route)

If you are a wine lover then the New England Highway gives you plenty of opportunity to visit any number of wineries.

You will find a lot of them are located in and around Pokolbin, so it's worth staying overnight here to enable you to leave the car behind and check a few out.

If you are looking to stay somewhere with the 'wow' factor then look no further than Spicers Guesthouse . This fabulous 5-star guest house is incredibly stylish and modern throughout, with a concierge service to accommodate all your needs.

Sit back in the beautifully designed rooms admiring the garden views, or get a closer look by heading to the large sunken outdoor seating and firepits set in the lush landscaped grounds.

With a gorgeous swimming pool, tennis courts, and bicycle rental to explore the grounds, there is plenty to do in the day. Come evening, make sure to book a table at Éremo Restaurant on-site to sample delicious, modern Italian cuisine. A perfect end to the day.

Things to see on a road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast

When researching all the things you can see and do on a road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast, you'll find out there are plenty of options.

To help you decide, we have put together this shortlist of some main highlights you should visit.

Pacific Highway Route:

• Palm Beach – Walk along the famous twin beaches that are used as the setting of Summer Bay in the legendary soap opera Home and Away.
• Terrigal – Swim, surf, walk or jog on Terrigal's iconic long stretch of golden sand. Enjoy fish and chips, on its fabulous esplanade whilst shaded under stately Norfolk Pines.
• Lake Macquarie – Take a dip in, or go fishing and kayaking at, the Southern Hemisphere's largest coastal saltwater lake.
• Crowdy Bay National Park – Marvel at the kangaroos who swim and hop around the surf every morning at sunrise.
• Dorrigo National Park - Take a detour inland from Coffs Harbour along Waterfall Way to hike through rainforest and soak in the stunning views from the elevated walkway.
• Coffs Harbour - Have your photo taken at the iconic Big Banana. Also get up close and personal with dolphins at the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park.
• Yamba – Catch epic waves. at fantastic beaches, where you might only be one of a handful of people there.
• Byron Bay – Immerse yourself in the chilled out vibes of one of Australia's most famous coastal towns. Surf at its wonderful beaches, enjoy its vibrant arts scene and fantastic cafes and bars, and be one of the first people in Australia to glimpse the sunrise at the Byron Bay Lighthouse.

New England Highway Route:

• Barrington Tops National Park - Go bushwalking, mountain biking, kayaking and abseiling at this splendid Australia World Heritage Area.
• Hunter Valley – Visit the cellar doors of some of Australia's most celebrated wineries.
• Armidale - Check out the gorgeous architecture of ‘Cathedral City'.
• Glencoe - Enjoy a pint at a traditional English old style pub called ‘The Red Lion'.
• Washpool National Park - With hiking trails of different lengths and difficulties, expect to see waterfalls, lush forest and beautiful birds.
• Nymboida River Rafting - Pick up a pre-booked tour from Grafton or Coffs Harbour to experience spectacular views of this rugged river valley from a different perspective.

Best time to go on a road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast

A road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast is one you can do all year round. With temperatures on the coast in winter tending to stay mild - ranging from 10 to 20 degrees - you'll probably be able to enjoy the many outdoor attractions of the Pacific Highway Route in the cooler months from June to August.

However, to really experience the beaches at their best we would recommend taking the Pacific Highway Route between February and April or September to November. With average temperatures around 25 degrees, you'll avoid the sweltering heat of the summer period, and also some of the crowds.

If you travel in the spring you might also get lucky and spot whales on their migration along the coast of NSW and Queensland.

Just be aware that many schools take breaks in early April and early October, which might make for a more crowded getaway and higher accommodation prices.

The New England Highway Route is also one we'd recommend taking in spring or autumn. With parts of the route at higher altitude, temperatures can drop close to freezing in the winter months. Whereas in spring you can enjoy seeing the route coming back to life, with wildflowers blooming along the Hunter Valley.

If you do decide to travel in the summer, try to visit the wineries of the Hunter Valley during harvest - the culmination of a year's hard work for the wine grower.

Whatever time you decide to travel, make sure your vehicle is fully roadworthy before you go. Neither of these routes take you into the most remote regions of Australia, but you still might experience some long stretches between stops that you need to be prepared for.

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Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip: 8 Breathtaking Places to Stop

Looking for the best places to stop on a Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip?

You’ve come to the right place. As a Sydney local and a seasoned traveller to the Gold Coast, I can confidently say that the Sydney to Gold Coast drive is one of the most breathtaking experiences on the East Coast of Australia.

I’ve flown the route, sure, but the drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast ? That’s something extraordinary, if you’re looking for an adventure and a deeper exploration of what New South Wales has to offer, then driving is 100% the way to go.

The appeal of this journey lies in the diversity of experiences a Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip offers. One moment, you’re in the Hunter Valley, savouring some of Australia’s finest wines, soaking up the tranquillity, and thinking, “ Could life get any better ? “

And, just when you think the ride could get any more epic, you’re stepping into the chilled-out vibes of Byron Bay, the surf rolling in as if to a beat of its own, inviting you to slow down and live in the moment.

Next thing you know, there you are, gazing at the Gold Coast’s skyline, where towering skyscrapers meet with the pristine surf beaches.

And while a plane ride would swiftly transport you from Sydney to the Gold Coast, the journey on the ground is where the real magic of the East Coast of Australia lies. The Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip is perfect for families and individuals who want to see the very best of Australia!

So, if it’s the quintessential Aussie adventure you’re after, then grab your sunnies and your favourite road trip snacks, and hop in, because I have gathered up the 8 most beautiful stops to add to your Sydney to Gold Coast Itinerary including must-see places to visit, best things to do, my insider tips and where I recommend you stay for a night or two.

Planning tips for a Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip

The drive time sydney to gold coast.

🚗 The drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast covers a span of approximately 845 km. If you were to take on the journey non-stop, you’d be looking at around 8 hours and 55 minutes of driving time.  

But let’s be honest, that’s not why you’re here. You’re in for the full Aussie experience, and that involves taking your sweet time and stopping off at some incredible NSW delights along the way.

In terms of routes, you’ve got options. The Pacific Highway, New England Highway, and M1 all serve as pathways to the Gold Coast . But if you’re after those heart-stirring views, memorable attractions, and scenic experiences, the Pacific Highway is your go-to route for this trip , as well as most of our New South Wales Road trip recommendations.

Here’s a snapshot of the different routes and their respective durations for a Sydney to Gold Coast drive:

• Via the New England Highway/A15: A longer alternative, clocking in at around 11 hours and 9 minutes for the 954km journey.
• Via the Pacific Highway/A1 : The preferred option for this journey, with an estimated driving time of 8 hours and 55 minutes across 845km.
• Via M1: The longest route, coming in at around 11 hours and 15 minutes for a 977km trip.

Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip Map

How to rent a car in Australia

Alright, let’s talk wheels. Your epic Sydney to Gold Coast road trip wouldn’t be possible without a reliable set of wheels, right? Now, hiring a car might sound like a drag, but it really doesn’t have to be.

I’ve crisscrossed this beautiful country multiple times, and the car rental company I keep coming back to is RentalCars.com. Honestly, their platform just makes everything super easy. Plus, they’ve got options in just about every price range, so you’re bound to find something that fits your budget.

What’s won me over time and time again, though, is their great customer service. Whether it’s a last-minute change in plans or a question about your booking, they’re always ready to help – and it makes such a difference!

The Best of Sydney: Where to Go and What to See

Here’s the scene: You’re in Sydney, a buzzing city that’s a delightful blend of urban chic and beach town vibes, it’s a cracking place to kick off your gold coast road trip!

It’s a place where architectural marvels lie alongside lush green spaces, and world-renowned wine regions are just a stone’s throw away. Fancy a bite? Sydney’s culinary scene is a celebration of innovation, boasting award-winning restaurants and vibrant bars that demand your attention.

And for those seeking retail therapy Sydney doesn’t disappoint. Stroll through the chic designer boutiques in Paddington, or dive into the eclectic mix of stores in Manly. From local artisanal crafts to international high-end fashion, Sydney’s retail landscape is diverse.

The city is a beautiful canvas showcasing icons like the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, which are must-see landmarks that make this city universally recognizable. But there’s more to Sydney than the glitz and glamour of its famous skyline – that’s just postcard stuff. Sydney’s got a more secretive, carefree side that’s equally tempting. Secret beaches in the Eastern Suburbs, anyone?

Some of the best things to do in Sydney include:

Sydney’s Famous Beaches

Sydney is synonymous with world-class beaches, and no visit is complete without dipping your toes in these iconic sands. Starting with the legendary Bondi Beach, where the surf is always up, and the vibe is eternally vibrant.

After soaking up some sun on the golden sands, taking a dip in the Bondi Icebergs is almost a rite of passage. For a small fee, you can immerse yourself in the famous oceanside pool, carved into a cliff and brimming with the freshest seawater.

But for those willing to venture beyond the well-trodden sands of Bondi, Sydney offers more intimate beach experiences. Ever heard of Lady Bay Beach? It’s one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets and one of the few legal nudist beaches in the area . If you’re ready to bare it all and truly embrace the Aussie spirit, this spot, nestled between South Head and Camp Cove, is a must-visit.

And for an escape from the hustle and bustle, the tucked-away Milk Beach in Vaucluse awaits. This hidden gem in the Eastern Suburbs is the perfect spot for a picnic or a lazy afternoon. With the city skyline and Harbour Bridge forming a stunning backdrop, it’s the perfect spot for that envy-inducing Instagram shot, minus the typical crowds.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a true Sydney experience without mentioning the fantastic surfing opportunities. Sydney beaches are a surfer’s paradise with their consistent waves, but the adventure doesn’t stop there.

If you’re after a different kind of water adventure, Sydney’s sparkling waters also offer numerous kayaking experiences some of which lead you off the beaten path, whisking you away to rarely visited hidden gems such as Goat Island.

Recommended Activity: Kayak to Goat Island

Visiting The Rocks

The Rocks is one of the most beautiful parts of Sydney. This neighbourhood, the city’s eldest, is a labyrinth of slender lanes lined with distinctive architecture, time-honoured sandstone churches, and authentic colonial buildings. As you wander through these picturesque streets, you’ll come across an eclectic mix of quaint souvenir shops and some of the city’s longest-standing pubs.

What’s more, The Rocks is famed for its spirited weekend markets. A stroll here feels like an invitation to discover the craftsmanship of local artisans, with stalls that brim with unique homemade treasures.

As for sightseeing, a visit to Cadman’s Cottage, the oldest surviving residential building in Sydney, is like a quick history lesson – no textbooks required. From there, wander up to Observatory Hill where you’ll score epic views of the Harbour. Bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it.

When hunger hits, Argyle Street’s got your back. It’s lined with restaurants that offer everything from gourmet pizza to Australian classics. And if you’re a beer lover, don’t miss out on The Lord Nelson Brewery , Australia’s oldest pub brewery, where you can sample their home-brewed ales.

The Rocks weaves a tapestry of old and new, a blend of history and contemporary charm that is not to be missed when in Sydney.

Explore Sydney Museums

Sydney is a goldmine for culture enthusiasts, with a host of museums catering to a wide array of interests. If you’re looking to absorb some knowledge without spending a cent, the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art offer free entry to their general exhibits. You’ll find yourself lost in a world of inspiring art pieces ranging from traditional Aboriginal works to avant-garde installations.

Got kids in tow? They’re going to love the Powerhouse Museum. It’s got everything from steam engines to space travel, and plenty of interactive displays to keep the little ones busy. Plus, who can resist a hands-on workshop?

If your squad loves all things historical, then the Australian Museum is where you want to be. It’s not just the fact that it’s Australia’s first museum that makes it special – it’s also the incredible collections. The Indigenous Australians exhibit? A must-see. But the real hit with the kiddos is the dinosaur world upstairs. It’s got everything from interactive exhibits to a dissection of a T-Rex.

And let’s not forget the Museum of Sydney. This gem is built right on top of the house of Australia’s first Governor and tells some seriously cool stories about Sydney’s past. But if the call of the sea is more your thing, the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour will float your boat with its impressive collection of naval vessels and maritime exhibits.

Sydney At Night

Now, about your last night in the city before hitting the road: it’s got to be memorable, right? What better way to say ‘See you later’ to Sydney than a sunset dinner cruise on the Harbour? Picture yourself dining as the city lights dance on the water, with the Opera House, illuminated against the night sky, it really takes your breath away!

Don’t fancy a harbour cruise? No problem, there are plenty more great ways to spend the night in Sydney.

Or maybe you’re more of a low-key night owl? Imagine yourself kicking back in one of Sydney’s trendy hotels, specifically the ones sporting balconies with a front-row seat to Darling Harbour. Unwinding with a glass of vino while the harbour lights twinkle beneath you? That’s the kind of chill vibe you won’t want to miss!

Best Places to Stay in Sydney:

Luxury option: The Langham Sydney

Mid-range option: Ultimate Apartments Bondi Beach

T ake a Detour to the Hunter Valley (pacific Highway Route)

Just a two-hour drive north of Sydney via the M1 and A15, you’ll discover the Hunter Valley – a treasure trove of serenity and indulgence that is unquestionably worth a detour. Its vast, verdant landscape stretches out into the distance, promising tranquillity, and a much-needed retreat from the city bustle.

Famed as one of Australia’s top wine regions, the Hunter Valley doesn’t just pour up some delicious wines it serves up classic Australian cuisine, luxurious accommodation, and exquisite events & festivals throughout the year.

But what if you don’t drink wine? No problem, the Hunter Valley has plenty more to offer . Its natural beauty alone is worth the journey, with picturesque landscapes begging to be explored by bike, on foot, or even from the basket of a hot air balloon.

Considering its offerings, spending 1-2 days in Hunter Valley isn’t just a suggestion, it’s essential.

Below are some of The Best Activities In Hunter Valley:

Indulge in the world-renowned wine tasting.

Now let’s get into the heart of Hunter Valley – the vineyards. Swing by Tulloch Wines, a favourite of mine, to dip your toes into their wine offerings. Their mystery wine tasting really spices up the usual routine – it’s a game of ‘guess the grape’ that’ll make a wine expert out of you yet! And the kids aren’t left out either – they have a non-alcoholic version just for them.

But if you want to take the worry out of navigating, ‘ Two Fat Blokes Cheese and Wine Tour ‘ is a fantastic option. They’ll drive you around to several wineries , serving up delicious cheese along the way.

Explore Hunter Valley Gardens

Ready for a splash of magic amid wine country? That’s where the Hunter Valley Gardens come in. It’s not just about plants and flowers here (though there are plenty of those, and they’re pretty spectacular).

Each garden is like stepping into a different world. The Oriental Garden gives you a sense of calm, while the Rose Garden is a riot of colour. And if you’ve got kids, they’ll love the Storybook Garden. It’s like stepping into their favourite tales, complete with a Kid’s Storybook Trail. In summer, the place gets even more fun with funfair rides popping up. It’s not just a garden, it’s a full-day adventure, an unexpected twist to the usual Hunter Valley experience.

Take a scenic Helicopter Ride

Up for an adrenaline rush with a side of phenomenal views? With a scenic helicopter ride, you’ll soar above vineyards and dreamy rolling hills, enjoying a unique vantage point that only a few get to experience. The incredible aerial views? Totally Instagrammable. Not to mention, it’s a brilliant way to gain a new perspective on the area’s vast beauty and a surefire way to elevate your Hunter Valley adventure.

Peek into Hunter Valley’s Wine Festival Calendar

Famed for its 150+ wineries, Hunter Valley hosts an array of wine festivals throughout the year. The Lovedale Long Lunch wine festival is a top-tier event you just can’t miss! Taking place annually at the end of May, it’s more than a festival.

This unique event sees attendees tour a series of wineries, with each stop offering a different course of a gourmet meal paired with their finest wines. You’ll find yourself in a joyful parade of foodies and wine enthusiasts, moving from one vineyard to another. The festival is an ideal way to experience the Hunter Valley’s gastronomic offerings, all in a sociable and celebratory atmosphere.

Best Places to Stay in Hunter Valley:

Luxury option: Spicers Vineyard Estate

Budget option: Hunter Valley Travellers Rest Motel

Visit Palm Beach

Palm Beach sits about 41 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Located on a peninsula at the end of Barrenjoey Road, it’s roughly a one-hour drive via the Pacific Highway (A1). However, to get to Palm Beach specifically, you’ll have to make a slight detour. Once you reach the area of North Sydney, you will need to exit onto Wakehurst Parkway (Route 22) which will then connect to Pittwater Road (Route 10). This will take you directly to Palm Beach.

Palm Beach is a breath of fresh air compared to the hustle of Bondi, offering you a quieter yet equally stunning seaside experience.

Most famously, Palm Beach has been the backdrop for the popular TV show “Home and Away” since 1988. It’s where the fictional town of Summer Bay comes to life, and fans of the show will instantly recognize landmarks from their favourite scenes.

But beyond its pop culture appeal, Palm Beach is genuinely worth the trip. From the historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse to the stunning views from North Bilgola Lookout, there’s so much to see.

Whale Beach and Avalon Beach are dreamy spots to unwind and get those toes sandy. Now, if you’re asking for my top pick, I’d say don’t miss Mona Vale Beach. With a rock pool that looks out over the sparkling Pacific Ocean, it’s an absolute crowd-pleaser – and quite the hotspot for those Insta-worthy snaps.

Wrapping up your Palm Beach adventure, be sure to grab a bite at The Boathouse. Tucked beside the picturesque Governor Phillip Park, this eatery has earned itself a prominent place on the Palm Beach map. And it’s not just the locals who are smitten. Thanks to its regular appearances in TV shows and series, The Boathouse has found fame far beyond Palm Beach’s shores.

Plan to spend about 2-3 hours here, just enough time to soak in the sights without rushing.

Explore Newcastle

Finally, it’s time to bid farewell to Sydney and embark north on your road trip adventure to the Gold Coast. The next major stop? Newcastle. The second most populated city in New South Wales, Newcastle marries the laid-back beach vibe with the cultural pulse of a city.

En route, you’ll be passing through the Central Coast, where Terrigal Beach is worth a detour. Fancy a leisurely walk, a quick dip or simply sitting by the shore with a book? Terrigal’s your place. While there, make sure to visit the Skillion, a natural grassy lookout with scenic ocean views.

Next, you’ll reach Newcastle which is around two hours drive from Sydney, this port city offers a different taste of Australia, with a rich industrial history and a growing reputation as an arts and culture hub.

A day or two is a good timeframe to truly appreciate what Newcastle has to offer – it’s big enough to keep you entertained yet compact enough to explore without feeling rushed.

The real allure of Newcastle lies in its fusion of city and sea. Its vibrant cityscape is fringed by a stunning coastline, offering the best of both worlds. Picture this: sipping a flat white in a trendy café in the morning, soaking up some art in a local gallery by noon, then catching a wave at one of the many stunning beaches in the afternoon.

But there’s plenty more to cover in Newcastle, here are some of the best things to do in Newcastle, especially for those who are visiting Newcastle for the first time:

Experience the Blackbutt Nature Reserve

If you’re a nature buff like me, you’ll absolutely adore the Blackbutt Nature Reserve. Home to a variety of wildlife, from kangaroos and koalas to colourful native birds, it’s a haven for animal lovers. Don’t forget to drop by the reptile show or enjoy a picnic amidst the eucalyptus trees.

Explore the Newcastle Memorial Walk

This 450-meter-long walkway is built high on the cliff, offering panoramic views of the coastline and city. It’s also a tribute to the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, making it a poignant and beautiful place to spend a sunset.

Stroll Along Newcastle Breakwall

Before anything else, you’ve got to take a leisurely amble along the Newcastle Break wall. With the fresh ocean breeze, harbour views, and the distinctive painted rocks lining the pathway, it’s a sight for sore eyes and a brilliant introduction to Newcastle’s charm. And here’s a little secret – it’s also an excellent spot for some dolphin-watching, so keep your eyes peeled!

Recommended activity in Newcastle: Humpback Whale Encounter Tour

Grab Some Fish and Chips to Takeout

Newcastle isn’t just about sights – the tastes are equally memorable. Now, I’ve sampled a fair share of fish and chips in my time, hailing from the UK and all, but let me tell you, Newcastle takes this classic to a whole new level. Take it from a Brit, the fish and chips here are spot on.

Where to Stay in Newcastle:

Luxury option: QT Newcastle

Mid-range option: Noah’s on the Beach

Step into Adventure at Port Stephens

Continuing north to the Gold Coast, Port Stephens, a vibrant, naturally blessed haven that sits about an hour’s drive from Newcastle. Best known for its idyllic sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and impressive population of bottlenose dolphins, Port Stephens is a postcard-perfect pit stop on your Sydney to Gold Coast journey.

If you’re someone who adores outdoor adventures, wildlife, and sun-drenched beaches, then trust me, Port Stephens is going to impress. What makes this place stand out from the crowd is its unique blend of striking coastlines, breathtaking hiking trails, and picture-perfect beaches, all bundled into one unforgettable package.

With so much to see and do in Port Stephens, it can be a bit overwhelming to decide where to start. Fear not, I’ve got your back.

must-do activities in Port Stephens to make the most out of your visit:

Humpback whale watching.

One of the unforgettable experiences in Port Stephens is undoubtedly spotting the majestic humpback whales on their annual migration . From May to November, the ocean becomes a highway for these awe-inspiring creatures. Hop on a whale-watching cruise, and with a bit of luck, you might see them breaching, tail-slapping, or even spy-hopping. You don’t want to miss this spectacle!

Sandboarding at Stockton Sand Dunes

Fancy a bit of an adrenaline rush? The towering Stockton Sand Dunes are your playground. One of the most exhilarating ways to enjoy them is sandboarding – essentially snowboarding but on the sand. The ride down these 30-meter-high dunes is a thrill you won’t forget . And the views? Simply stunning!

Discover Tomaree National Park

For those who love to immerse themselves in nature, Tomaree National Park is the spot for you. Start with a hike to Tomaree Head Summit. It’s a moderately challenging walk, taking about 2 hours round trip, but the breathtaking panoramic views of PortStephens at the top make every step worthwhile. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a good workout and equally rewarding for casual hikers.

Take Five at Coffs Harbour

On to the next chapter of your epic road trip: Coffs Harbour. Strategically placed halfway between Sydney and the Gold Coast, this city offers a coastal retreat that’s hard to resist. It’s a place where sandy beaches meet an energetic marina, framed by a stunning green backdrop.

You may have heard of the Big Banana, a playful and larger-than-life homage to Australia’s favourite fruit. But believe me, Coffs Harbour offers far more than just Instagram-worthy quirks. Imagine sun-drenched beaches beckoning for a midday siesta, a lively marina scene ideal for evening strolls, and lush natural surroundings begging to be explored.

Coffs Harbour has something for everyone, regardless if you’re an adrenaline enthusiast, a nature lover, or just keen to relax. From heart-thumping activities like skydiving and jet skiing to the peaceful botanical gardens, or even delving into the rich Aboriginal history – Coffs Harbour’s versatility is one of its charms.

The best part? Coffs Harbour doesn’t require you to cram everything into one day. Allocate half a day, pick a couple of highlights and immerse yourself in the relaxed Aussie vibe.

Let me share a couple of must-dos when you’re in Coffs:

The big banana fun park.

 This place might seem kitschy at first, but it’s all about embracing the fun. A quick snapshot with the oversized banana is a must, but there’s more to enjoy. The park features an ice-skating rink, toboggan rides, a water park, laser tag, and even a mini-golf. It’s all about recapturing the childlike joy making it a perfect spot for a laugh, no matter your age.

Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve

If you’re up for a walk with the reward of stunning coastal views, Muttonbird Island is your go-to. It’s an easy climb to the top, and the panoramic views of Coffs Harbour and the surrounding landscape are breathtaking. It’s also a significant breeding site for Wedge-tailed Shearwaters or “Muttonbirds”. Time your visit right, and you could see these unique birds nesting. And keep an eye on the sea – you might spot dolphins or even whales.

Coffs Harbour has a certain charm that you’ll find hard to resist. Ideal for a relaxing pitstop on your road trip, it’s a place where the professional in you can take a backseat, and the explorer can take the wheel.

Full Day (or Two!) at Byron Bay

Just about an hour and a half’s drive south of the Gold Coast, your next highlight stopover is Byron Bay. Known as the easternmost point of mainland Australia, this coastal paradise is all about embracing the chill. The place practically hums with a laid-back energy that’s downright contagious. In other words, it’s the perfect spot to catch your breath and relax before the final leg of your road trip.

What makes Byron Bay so appealing, you ask? It’s the unique mix of surf culture, music festivals, eco-conscious living, and fabulous food scenes. It’s got that great beach vibe without losing its artsy, bohemian edge. A place where surfers, families, professionals and creatives alike gather, making it a colourful melting pot of people.

The beauty of Byron Bay is not just its golden beaches and turquoise waters (although they are breathtakingly beautiful). It’s also in the people and the way of life. Everyone’s all about wellness, the environment, and the community. Expect to see organic markets, yoga studios, and sustainable fashion stores around every corner .

If you ask me, I’d recommend spending at least 2-3 days here to fully soak up the Byron Bay way of life. Dip your toes in the ocean, browse the local markets, try a yoga class, catch a live music gig, and most importantly, don’t forget to taste the food. Trust me; you’ll understand the Byron Bay hype once you’ve experienced it.

Best things to do in Byron Bay:

Experience cape byron lighthouse.

Venture to the easternmost point of mainland Australia and pay a visit to the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse. The walk to the lighthouse, which takes around 2 hours to return, is moderate in difficulty but offers spectacular coastal views that make every step worthwhile. And let’s not forget the potential bonus of spotting dolphins or whales along the way! Inside the lighthouse, a maritime museum awaits and the 360-degree views from the top are simply stunning.

Dive into the Byron Bay Markets

The Byron Bay Markets are an immersion into local culture and a feast for all senses. Held on the first Sunday of every month, the markets showcase local artisan crafts, organic and farm-to-table produce, vintage clothing, and even handmade jewellery.

Immerse in Arts and Music

Byron Bay isn’t just about the beach; it’s a vibrant arts and music hub. The town is home to a variety of art galleries, workshops, and boutiques showcasing local talent. On any given night, you can find live music performances in bars, restaurants, or the beachfront park. And let’s not forget the world-renowned festivals like Bluesfest and Splendour in the Grass. If your trip aligns with these events, do give it a go. They are fantastic experiences!

Grab a Board at Main Beach

Byron Bay is the holy grail of Australian surf culture, and there’s no place better than Main Beach to dip your toes (quite literally) into the world of surfing. The beach is an egalitarian paradise, where seasoned pros and first-timers alike share the swells.

Never surfed before? No worries! Byron Bay is brimming with surf schools offering lessons for rookies. You’ll be standing on that board in no time, feeling the exhilarating rush that only surfing can provide. It’s the quintessential Byron experience. And if surfing isn’t your thing, no stress. Main Beach is the ideal spot to unwind, catch some rays, and indulge in some prime people-watching.

Byron Bay Evening Glow-Worm Spectacle

Craving a taste of Byron Bay’s famed hippie vibe? Dive into it by exploring the enchanting hinterland, lit by nature’s fairy lights – the mystical glowworms. Within the heart of the ancient Gondwana Rainforests, these luminescent critters set the scene for an evening drenched in enchantment.

If you are looking for this to do in Byron Bay at night join this unique 5.5-hour experience. This includes a waterfall visit, a vegan forest dinner, and, of course, the dazzling glow-worm display, all soaked in the laid-back, thoughtful ambience that is quintessentially Byron. It is an experience like no other!

Where to Stay in Byron Bay

Luxury option: The Lord Byron

Mid-range option: The Surf House

Gold Coast Highlights

And just like that, you’ve made it to the grand finale of your epic east coast road trip – the glittering, pulsating, utterly irresistible Gold Coast.

This city, just over an hour’s drive from Byron Bay, is the place where Australia loosens its tie, kicks off its shoes and parties in flip-flops. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, beach bum, or foodie, the Gold Coast has something for you.

This is the Miami of Australia, where high-rises kiss the sky, and the sun-soaked beaches stretch as far as the eye can see. Here, life is about relishing the great outdoors.

You’ll find locals and travellers alike embracing the beach culture – surfing, swimming, or just soaking up the golden Aussie sun. The incredible coastal views will have your jaw on the floor, the Pacific Ocean providing a beautiful backdrop that never fails to impress.

But the Gold Coast isn’t just a pretty face – beyond the beaches, there’s a lot to love. We’re talking lush rainforests, dreamy waterfalls, boutique breweries, and bustling markets. Oh, and did I mention it’s the theme park capital of Australia?

Despite its reputation for glitz and glamour, the Gold Coast offers a diverse range of experiences that cater to all kinds of travellers. It’s a city that’s learned to balance its natural beauty with a healthy dose of fun, and it does it in style.

How long should you stay? Well, I’d say a week here would give you a good taste of what the Gold Coast has to offer. But really, there’s always something happening here, so the longer, the better!

Here are some of the best things to do on the gold coast:

Surf at surfers paradise.

To say that the Gold Coast is a surfer’s paradise isn’t just a turn of phrase – there’s an actual place called Surfers Paradise, and it’s every bit as dreamy as it sounds. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, grab your board and hit the iconic waves. Don’t worry if you don’t have the skills yet – there are plenty of surf schools that can get you up and standing on your board in no time.

Get Lost in the Natural Beauty of Springbrook National Park

 Just a short drive from the coast, you’ll find Springbrook National Park – a lush, ancient wonderland that’s part of the Gondwana Rainforests, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you can discover stunning waterfalls, walk through rainforests, and soak in panoramic views of the Gold Coast from lookouts like ‘Best of All Lookout’.

While some trails can be a bit challenging and are better suited for experienced hikers, there are plenty of more accessible walks that the whole family can enjoy.

Go Thrill-Seeking in the Theme Parks

The Gold Coast isn’t nicknamed “Australia’s Theme Park Capital” for nothing. There’s Warner Bros. Movie World, where you can meet your favourite superheroes and experience epic thrill rides. SeaWorld combines marine animal exhibits with exhilarating rides, making it a fun and educational day out for all ages.

If water rides are more your thing, you can’t go past Wet’n’Wild for some splash-filled excitement. Lastly, Dreamworld offers a mix of wild rides, live shows, and a zoo, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Remember to check out the SkyPoint Observation Deck in the evening – the views of the illuminated Gold Coast skyline are nothing short of spectacular.

Shop at Pacific Fair

Just a short tram ride from Surfers Paradise, Pacific Fair is one of Australia’s largest shopping centres and an unmissable stop. With over 400 stores ranging from high-end designers to Aussie high-street favourites, it’s more than just a shopping trip – it’s a retail adventure! Whether you’re after the latest fashion trends, unique homewares, or duty-free goods, Pacific Fair has got you covered. And when you need a shopping break? There’s a cinema and an array of dining options to keep you entertained.

Connect with Aussie Wildlife at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Ideal for families travelling to the gold coast with children,  at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary , you’re in for much more than just a quick selfie with a koala (though that’s pretty cool too!). You can roam among the kangaroos, feed the colourful lorikeets, or watch a crocodile feeding show that will give you a new level of respect for these powerful creatures.

If you want to try something truly unique, check out the Sanctuary’s Segway Safari. Gliding around on a Segway, you’ll get up close with various critters in a whole new way. Plus, all the while you’re enjoying your day out, you’re also contributing to the preservation of these magnificent animals, as the Sanctuary is also a hospital for injured wildlife.

Where to stay on the Gold Coast:

Luxury option: Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise

Mid-range option: Meriton Suites, Surfers Paradise

Best time to go on a road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast

​​ Lucky for you, Australia’s East Coast is one of those glorious places that look good all year round. But, if you’re looking for that sweet spot when the weather is just right, and the crowds are a touch lighter, then aim for the shoulder seasons – Autumn (March to May) and Spring (September to November).

During these periods, you’ll find the climate perfectly comfortable – warm, but not too hot, making your outdoor adventures around Byron, Coffs, and the Gold Coast super enjoyable. You’ll avoid the peak summer holiday rush too, which means less traffic on the roads and more peace on the beaches.

However, if surfing’s your jam, the winter months (June to August) can offer some fantastic swells. Just remember, while it’s winter, this is still sunny Australia we’re talking about. So, no snowstorms in sight, just cooler nights and fresh, crisp days.

Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip: FAQs

What is the best month to visit the gold coast.

Sunshine is a regular guest in the Gold Coast, appearing for around 300 days a year! However, the prime time to visit is between May and October, thanks to the warm weather perfect for beach and boat activities and visiting theme parks. Bear in mind, December to January is school holiday season, meaning it’s busier and pricier, while late January and most of February see more rainfall and humidity.

How many days in Gold Coast is enough?

That’s a tough one as it depends on what you’re into, but generally, 3-4 days will give you a good taste of the beaches, theme parks, and local attractions.

Is it easy to drive in the Gold Coast?

Absolutely! Navigating the Gold Coast by car is quite straightforward. Plus, if you’re planning on exploring some of the breathtaking national parks in the vicinity, driving gives you the best flexibility and convenience.

Where do locals go on the Gold Coast?

For a local experience, the Gold Coast’s best-kept secrets are The Village Markets, Tallebudgera Creek, and Mount Tamborine. The Village Markets are a cultural hotspot, featuring a fascinating mix of emerging and vintage fashion designers, live local music, and a bustling Sunday atmosphere. Tallebudgera Creek is another local favourite, known for its serene waters. Lastly, Mount Tamborine in the hinterland is a go-to, famed for lush greenery, and its superb wineries.

Is it safe to walk at night in the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast maintains a reassuringly low crime rate and the presence of the Queensland police service patrolling the streets only bolsters the feeling of security. As with any destination, it’s still wise to use common sense when out at night, but generally speaking, the Gold Coast is a safe and welcoming place, day and night.

What town is halfway between Sydney and Brisbane?

The vibrant city of Coffs Harbour sits approximately halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, making it a perfect stopover for a bite to eat, a quick swim or a well-deserved rest.

Before you go…

Just as you’re getting ready to embark on this fantastic Sydney to Gold Coast road trip, I’ve got one last piece of advice – why stop at the Gold Coast? If you’ve got a little more time on your hands, consider extending your adventure. Australia’s East Coast is a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences, and there’s a whole lot more waiting for you just beyond the Gold Coast.

That’s right, I’m talking about continuing your journey all the way to Brisbane. Think of it as the extended cut of your road trip, with even more stunning beaches, captivating hinterlands, and vibrant cities to explore. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?

Why not go one further and take a road trip up to the Sunshine Coast? There are so many epic places to check out, it should definitely be on your travel itinerary!

Travel Expert

Chloe Scorgie, the creative force behind Passport Down Under, offers an insider's perspective on relocating and exploring Australia. A British expatriate who made the leap to Australia in 2022, she leverages her firsthand experiences to guide and inspire others embarking on a similar journey. Her experience of navigating the complexities of moving to Australia with a young child adds a unique and relatable perspective for families. From finding the best beaches for surfing to understanding the intricacies of emigration, Chloe's insights are invaluable for anyone considering an Australian adventure, particularly those with young families.

Passport Down Under has proudly featured in major publications such as BBC Travel, Go!Banking Rates, Yahoo! Finance and Best Life Online.

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Travel Tips & News from SIXT Rent a Car

The Ultimate Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip

The Sydney to Gold Coast drive is bordered by a beautiful array of lush wilderness, turquoise blue beaches and seaside towns. And whether you’re planning to leisurely make your way up north with plenty of time up your sleeve or are looking to pick up a leg of the journey for your next weekend away, our Sydney to Gold Coast road trip itinerary is a great place to start.

If you’re from elsewhere in Australia or overseas, save yourself the dead miles and fly in and pick up your car hire from Sydney airport or another convenient Sydney location . This way you can keep all your break dedicated to what you came here to do. 

You’ll soon be cruising alongside stretches of pristine beaches, stopping in at different ports and villages to try the local foodie scene in between. The beauty of driving is the choice is yours of where to go and when, with our helpful guide supplying the inspiration you need to get started.

Driving from Sydney to the Gold Coast: Quick Facts

How long does it take to drive from sydney to the gold coast.

The Sydney to Gold Coast drive is approximately 9 hours. But to make the most of the best stops along the way, you can expect to spend around 11-13 hours on the road.

How long to spend road-tripping Sydney to the Gold Coast? 

Our Sydney to Gold Coast road trip covers all the tops stops, allocating 8 nights and 9 days for exploring before a comfortable arrival at the final destination. But if you need to quicken the pace, you can skip some of the shorter stops or hire your car from Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour and start the trip further north. 

Sydney to Gold Coast distance

A direct Sydney to Gold Coast drive is approximately 845 km, with our itinerary covering around 1,000 km.

Is it worth driving from Sydney to the Gold Coast? 

The incredibly scenic road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast is one of Australia’s best drives. It hugs the coastline the entire way, offering some incredible views and plenty of seaside towns for relaxing and easy stops. From hidden aquatic treasures to the magic of the hinterlands, it’s far from a boring highway drive and well worth adding to your road trip list.

How much is it going to cost in fuel to drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast? 

To complete this Sydney to Gold Coast drive, the average price you’d expect to pay in fuel is around $200. This is for a one way trip, based on NRMA’s most recent (at the time of writing) fuel report and average litres per 100km. 

Though, this is if you’re not hiring an electric vehicle , which would make the 1000ks a lot cheaper and perhaps a little more special, too. 

Sydney to Central Coast

Drive distance: 95 km – 1.5 hours Recommended days : 1 days, 1 night 

Pickup your car directly from Sydney airport and hit the road to save on those city hotels. If you’re already a Sydneysider, pick up your choice of car rental at Hornsby , Parramatta or whichever branch is most convenient for you. 

Where to stop: Pie In The Sky – It’s on the old pacific highway, which is so worth taking, even if just for this pit stop. Grab a coffee and sample some of the greatest Aussie meat pies right there on the Pacific Highway. The perfect way to start your Sydney to Gold Coast road trip.

Take a coastal walk – The Central Coast is a hiking haven, with plenty of short and long trails to choose from. If you’re up for a long journey filled with epic views, secluded bays and whale watching, the 8.5 km Bouddi Coastal Walk can’t be beaten. Or, for something a little more leisurely, take the 1-hour scenic stroll from MacMasters to Little Beach, and with any luck, you’ll have the secluded cove all to yourself at the end. 

Enjoy some post-hike sundowners – Is there anything better than sipping a cold drink while overlooking a sunset on the coast? We don’t think so. If you’ve just worked up a thirst on a hike, find a spot on the terrace at the Terrigal Beach House for a spritz with a side of sea breeze or head to the Cali-cool Shady Palms at Avoca Beach for a serving of champagne and oysters.

Foodie heaven – You don’t have to look hard to find some incredible restaurants on the Central Coast. The Cowrie and Yellowtail are two superb choices for modern Australian cuisine, and the freshly-made pasta at the Gusto Italian Bistro brings the taste of Northern Italy to Ettalong Beach.

Rest your head – Sink into a king-size bed in a Hamptons-inspired room at The Quarters or choose from a range of camping, glamping and villa options at the NRMA Ocean Holiday Resort . Rest up and get ready to hit the road in the morning – adventure awaits!

Central Coast to Port Macquarie 

Drive distance: 329 km – 3.5 hours Recommended days: 2 days, 2 nights

Where to stop: If you’ve opted for an electric vehicle rental , you’ll find a Chargefox location (free charging for SIXT customers) in Karuah, as well as at the Oxley Highway turn off as you head into Port Macquarie.

Sand dune adventures – As you leave the Central Coast, head north an hour and a half towards Nelson Bay, and you’ll wind up at Worimi National Park . The vast and shifting sand dunes are a sight to behold and a playground for all kinds of adventures. Saddle up a horse, ride a camel, or try sandboarding down the dunes. A fantastic experience!

Myall Lake – For your next overnight stay on your road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast, we highly recommend the water playground of Myall Lake. Stay in an Eco Treehouse and in the morning head to one of Australia’s most beautiful hidden beaches, Seal Rocks. The impossibly blue ocean looks even more dramatic from above and the walk up to Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse is well worth it.

7 Mile Beach detour – When you’re ready to hit the road again, take the long route via 7 Mile Beach for a better view out the window before rejoining the M1 up to Port Macquarie. This way, you’ll also bypass Forster, home to a large number of bottlenose dolphins which can often be spotted in the water.

Visit the Koala Hospital – Settle in for the night in Port Macquarie, and in the morning, head to the Koala Hospital , a wildlife rehabilitation facility dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating our native fauna. Afterwards, grab a coffee and some brekkie at the bright and breezy Frankie’s before hitting the road again.

Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour

Drive distance: 159 km – 1 hour 45 mins Recommended days : 3 days, 2 nights

Where to stop: Stop for fuel at the Caltex in Kempsey for plenty of food options, parking and restrooms.

Crescent Head lookout – Break up the drive with fresh air and a breathtaking view.

Stop for lunch in Nambucca Heads – Take advantage of the surrounding Nambucca Valley farms and stop in for some local food at one of the restaurants or ensemble your own picnic from the roadside stalls.

Explore the river – Make the most of the calm waters of Nambucca River and hire a boat, kayak or stand-up paddle board. Cruise along until sunset or take a cheeky nap on one of the banks before jumping back in the car to reach Coffs Harbour for dinner.

Take a drive around Waterfall Way – Wake up the following day and get ready to chase some waterfalls. From Coffs, drive towards Bellingen and pass by lush rainforest, river valleys and (you guessed it) plenty of roadside waterfalls. Waterfall Way is one of the top highlights of the Sydney to Gold Coast drive – if you’re keen to take a little longer or stretch your legs, there are plenty of hiking trails here. 

Visit Dorrigo – For a spot where you can stop, hike around and plunge yourself into one of the waterfalls, you can’t beat Dorrigo. The picturesque Dangar Falls is a favourite and offers easy access for a refreshing swim at the base. Cool off before heading back to Coffs for dinner – fish and chips by the beach are always a classic.

Swing by The Big Banana – On your last morning in Coffs, take a coastal walk before grabbing your morning brew at Supply . Then on your way out of town, stop at The Big Banana for an iconic road trip photo.

Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay

Drive distance: 233 km – 2.5 hours Recommended days: 3 days, 3 nights

Where to stop: If The Big Banana wasn’t enough of a treat for your Sydney to Gold Coast road trip, consider cruising by The Big Prawn too. While it’s no longer a service station, you’ll find one just 3 minutes down the road to give you a full tank for Byron or stop at Ballina for a Chargefox charging station.

Hike to the lighthouse – With so much to do in Byron Bay, you’ll want to get there right away. Start with the popular Cape Byron Walking track, where you’ll stroll past sweeping ocean views (and perhaps a dolphin or two) before reaching the beautiful lookout of the lighthouse.

Go kayaking with dolphins – To increase your chances of spotting some majestic animals in the wild, head out on the clear, shallow waters of the beautiful Brunswick River via a guided kayak tour. Dolphins, turtles and stingrays have been known to join the adventure.

Explore the beautiful, tiny surrounding towns – Unspoiled villages are scattered throughout the Byron Bay hinterland, with countryside left precisely how it has always been. Nearby Mullumbimby, Bangalow, Clunes and Alstonville are all worth a visit. You can pick up a hire car from Ballina and Byron Bay if you’ve arrived by other means.

Snorkel the reef – Julian Rocks is a top spot for snorkelling in Byron Bay, where you’re likely to encounter manta rays and reef sharks among smaller fish species on the well-run tours . Or grab your own snorkel and head back to Brunswick River. The water is surprisingly clear at high tide for snorkelling, too– just be careful of the sharp oyster shells as you get in and out.

Byron Bay to Gold Coast 

Drive distance: 177 km – 2 hours 38 mins Recommended days: 1 day to reach your final destination

Where to stop: Make the last leg of your road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast memorable by stopping at Moo Moo Roadhouse. Milkshakes, motorbikes and memorabilia – need we say more?

Travel inland – From Moo Moo, you’ll already be heading towards some of the magical hinterlands that lay southwest of the Gold Coast. Type ‘Natural Bridge’ into your GPS, and you’ll soon come across an enchanting arched cave with a waterfall plunging from above.

Tick off the best lookouts – Make the most of the surrounding Springbrook National Park by heading to Canyon Lookout and Twin Falls next. Sit for a few minutes and soak up the sounds of running water while breathing in the cool rainforest air.

Head back inland to the Gold Coast – From Springbrook, you’re just an hour away from the end of your road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast. What adventure lies next is up to you, with flexible returns available for your car hire at the Gold Coast airport .

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7 Beautiful Stops on Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip

Explore the beauty of NSW in this epic Sydney to Gold Coast road trip

Australia brims with endless sunshine, idyllic beaches, dramatic landscapes, quaint coastal-side towns, and excellent cuisine. The more you explore this country, the more you find adventures within it. It’s a country one can always enjoy, as it presents endless opportunities for you to unravel. And well, if you want to experience a bit of everything in Australia, then there’s no better exploration than Sydney to Gold Coast road trip .

As we continue our set of the Australian Road Trip series , it’s time to discover what Sydney to Gold Coast really offers. This road trip is a part of our ultimate Melbourne to Gold Coast, where we have listed all the possible activities, adventures, and family-based excursions. But, considering that the journey to Gold Coast from Melbourne is pretty long (1704 km), we thought of breaking down this journey into shorter trips. Explore this page to find out more about shorter Australian road trips.

Sydney to Gold Coast road trip is perfect for families who want to see the best of Australia. You’ll find plenty of spectacular stopovers, from classic Sydney highlights to NSW’s most acclaimed wine regions and beaches. The drive from Sydney makes you want to stop at every place to admire the serene beauty of New South Wales. In addition to the places you visit, the accommodation in the region makes it perfect for relaxing your tired body.

And that’s what I am going to cover in this article!

To help you plan a better Sydney to Gold Coast road trip, I’ve listed all the compatible excursions, must-see places to visit, popular things to do, and insider tips. You’ll also find a list of recommended hotels throughout your trip.

Planning Tips for Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip

Driving times for sydney to gold coast.

The drive from Sydney to Gold Coast is a total of 845 km. If you were to drive non-stop without any stopovers, then the approximate time to reach Gold Coast is 8hr 55mins. However, a direct journey is not recommended, and it’s best to include stops throughout your entire road trip.

There are multiple routes to Gold Coast: Pacific Highway, New England Highway, and M1. We prefer the Pacific Highway route for this journey and most of our NSW road trips. This stretch is more scenic and offers more viewpoints and better attractions and experiences compared to the other two.

Here’s a quick glance at suggested & alternative routes & their times:

Via New England Highway/A15: 11hr 09mins (954kms) – alternative driving route for Sydney to Gold Coast. Via the Pacific Highway/A1:   8hr 55mins (845kms) – the recommended route. Via M1: 11hr 15mins (977kms) – longest route

How to Rent a Car in Australia

For road trips within any country, you’d need a car or a suitable campervan. And ideally, you’d want to ensure that you choose the right vehicle for your entire road trip. For visitors who tour Australia, I highly recommend Rentalcars.com . I’ve booked my rental cars from them and their service is remarkable. You get a good variety of cars to choose from, so you can always handpick the one most suitable for your journey. Furthermore, their rental rates are much more reasonable compared to other operators.

Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip Map

Here’s a direct driving route map to reach Gold Coast:

The Best Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip Stops

Explore highlights of sydney.

Sydney – home to some of Australia’s most iconic settings – truly sets the tone for having a perfect Aussie trip. The charming beauty of its natural and man-made attractions impulses the vibe for all tourists visiting this city for the first time. The city has been a playground for families, bachelors, backpackers and all tourists alike – making it an ideal spot to start any Australian road trip.

The cosmopolitan city of Sydney is surrounded by beaches, towering skyscrapers, unique architecture, acclaimed wine regions, award-winning restaurants & bars and designer boutique shops. The diversity of experiences this city holds is genuinely magnificent, giving every visitor their purpose to discover the city independently.

Sydney’s endless list of experiences enables you to dive right into the action of exploring the best activities & tours. From visiting landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House to hopping onto new rooftop bars and pubs – the city spoils you with everything it has!

Some of the best recommended activities to do in Sydney includes:

Explore Sydney’s famous beaches:  Undoubtedly, the best thing to do in Sydney is to relax on one of the beaches. The glistening blue waters splashing up against the golden sand stretches make you want to hit the waters. Swimmers and adventure junkies often find themselves enjoying a variety of water sports in Sydney. Since surfing is so prevalent in Australia – you’ll find tons of surfing coaching classes on these beaches. If this is your first time exploring Sydney and you need to decide which ones to visit, check out Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, and Palm Beach.

Try this adventure | Manly and Shelly Beach Snorkelling Tour

Visit the Rocks:  The Rocks are one of the most beautiful parts of the city. Being the oldest region, this area features small narrow lanes, striking architecture, sandstone churches, and old colonial buildings. Even if you stroll between these lanes, you’ll find a unique display of souvenir shops and some of Sydney’s oldest pubs. The Rocks are also known for its weekend markets. So, do check out their local stalls and artisan products.

Explore Sydney’s Museums: Like any other city, Sydney also has many museums. Interestingly, all the Sydney museums are free, so you could spend an entire day browsing through the collection at each museum. Some of the notable ones which you should definitely visit include  the Australian National Maritime Museum ,  the Art Gallery of New South Wales , and  the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia at The Rocks .

Read more | List of 11 best free museums in Sydney

Where to stay in Sydney, Australia

Luxury Hotel | Rydges World Square Mid-range | The Bayswater Sydney

Discover Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley in Sydney is one of Australia’s most premier wine regions. It’s the ultimate day-trip destination that rewards you with award-winning wineries, sample wine-tasting, classic Australian cuisine, luxurious accommodation, and magical events & festivals. All you got to do, is travel two hours north of Sydney to experience the beauty of Hunter Valley.

Exploring Hunter Valley needs time, as you could spend hours and hours browsing through the cellar doors yet feel you’ve barely scratched the surface. Consider spending at least one or two days exploring all of the region’s highlights.

You should definitely be trying out these activities in Hunter Valley – 

Wine tasting:  Wine tasting is the essence of visiting any acclaimed wine region in Australia. At Hunter Valley, you’ll find more than 150 cellar doors to visit. Of course, it’s challenging to cover all of them over a weekend. Still, you could explore some of the well-known ones –  Usher Tinkler Wines ,  Scarborough on Hermitage  (popular wines offered with cheese platter),  and Audrey Wilkinson cellar door  (you’ll need to book this in advance).

Note : Some of the cellar doors in Hunter Valley charge a small fee for tasting wines.  Read more about Hunter Valley  and its charges.

Explore the beautiful gardens:  Apart from the wineries, Hunter Valley boasts 14 hectares of splendid manicured gardens. To explore them, you have a designated 8km walking track. Most of these gardens are themed so that each individual differs in showcasing their artistry.

Glamping at Hunter Valley:  Glamping in Australia is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful yet underrated experiences. Hunter Valley is home to unique eco-friendly houses with a fully-equipped kitchens, open glass windows, and pretty decor. You can book a couple of nights here to witness the charismatic beauty of Hunter Valley.

Take a scenic helicopter flight : Flying over Hunter Valley is one of the most incredible things you’d ever do! Although these aerial tours are expensive, they are literally worthwhile. From above, you can catch amazing sights of the structured vineyards amidst the rolling slopes of the valley.

Read more | The Ultimate Guide to the Best Hunter Valley Wineries

Where to stay in Hunter Valley, Sydney

Mid-range Hotel | Hunter Oasis Budget Stays | Cumberland Motor Inn , Abermain Hotel

Visit Palm Beach

I specifically included Palm Beach in our Sydney to Gold Coast road trip stops because it really needs a special mention. Considering that most tourists always prefer to visit Bondi or Manly Beach, Palm Beach could be a great alternative for those who want to beat the crowd.

Palm Beach, or ‘Palmy’ commonly called by locals, is located at the northernmost point of Sydney. Located at the end of a peninsula, the beach has been a favourite homestay point for wealthy business people and celebrities. Around Palm Beach, plenty of attractions are worth checking out – Barrenjoy Lighthouse , Whale Beach , Avalon Beach , and North Bilgola Lookout . The one which I enjoyed the most was Mona Vale Beach . Featuring a rock pool overlooking jaw-dropping the Pacific Ocean, the spot has become an Instagram-worthy stop point.

The last thing you want to do at Palm Beach is to take lunch at the Boathouse. Located near Governor Phillip Park, the Boathouse has become a landmark for localities living near Palm Beach. This place has also been featured in many TV shows and series. Hence, the popularity.

Accommodation Guide | The best beach-facing accommodation in Palm Beach

Explore Newcastle

It’s time to say goodbye to Sydney finally! We move ahead with our journey to our first stop-over point –  Newcastle . Surrounded by golden beaches, breathtaking suburbs, and a vast coastline, Newcastle is one of the best weekend getaway spots from Sydney. Located just two hours north of Sydney, this place is fantastic for those willing to spend a few nights.

Newcastle offers a perfect blend of laidback coastal life with a suburb that’s bustling with lively restaurants & cafes. The open-air markets, weekend street events, calendar festivals, and unique outdoor activities make Newcastle a must-visit place in NSW.

Furthermore, the outdoor experiences and attractions that Newcastle boasts are simply astounding! There’s so much to do here that you ultimately need an itinerary to plan your schedule.

Below I have recommended some of the top things to do (especially for first-time visitors) in Newcastle –

Checkout Newcastle Breakwall:  You’ll often find visitors taking a stroll along the Newcastle Breakwall, as it gives a full panoramic view of the coastline. Just be mindful of the weather and avoid this place during high tide, as the waves can slam the rocks aggressively.

Explore Bathers Way Coastal Walk:  No trip to Newcastle is complete without exploring its famous 5km trail – Bathers Way Coastal Walk. It’s one of the most beautiful stretches in NSW, offering some of the best coastline views. If you start your walk from Nobby Headland, it will take approximately 2 hours to reach Glenrock Reserve. But I recommend breaking your journey into several parts to admire the viewpoints.

Visit Blackbutt Nature Reserve:  There’s nothing more peaceful than experiencing Australian native wildlife in their natural habitat. If you love doing that, head to Blackbutt Nature Reserve – home to plenty of unique animal species like kangaroos, emus, koalas, wombats, and snakes. Overall, it’s a decent experience for visitors travelling with kids.

Where to stay in Newcastle, NSW

Luxury Hotel | Crystalbrook Kingsley Budget Hotels | Aspire Newcastle , Fern Bay Motel

Go Adventurous at Port Stephens

Port Stephens is a culmination of giant moving dunes, a unique range of wildlife experiences (including the rarest Australian species), striking long coastlines, gorgeous hiking trails, and picturesque beaches. It’s a perfect seaside getaway for those looking to experience the best activities in a single day.

Visiting Port Stephens is one of the highlights of our Sydney to Gold Coast road trip. There’s a plethora of things to do here, and it could overwhelm you if you’re visiting this place for the first time. For starters, below are some of the ‘must-do’ activities in Port Stephens –

Try sandboarding in Port Stephens:  The diversity of landscapes in Australia can be found right here in Port Stephens as you discover the most extensive dune in Southern Hemisphere. The Birubi Beach in Port Stephens offers a mini-dessert arena to enjoy sandboarding and quad-biking. You can also kick off your journey from Stockton Sand Dunes, which offers even more enjoyable activities.

Book a guided tour |  Port Stephens: Unlimited Sandboarding & 4WD Sand Dune Tour

Try local cuisine at Murray’s Brewing Co:  With all the sandboarding in Port Stephens, you might have a worked-up appetite. I recommend visiting Murray’s Brewing Co. It’s one of the best places in Port Stephens to try out local seafood, woodfire pizzas, and delicious ciders.

Stroll around at Stockton Beach : Port Stephens is home to many amazing beaches that look absolutely jaw-dropping during sunsets. Each beach has its peculiarity. But then comes Stockton Beach, which tops the chart in many ways. Known for its exceptional 32km stretch, Stockton Beach harbours giant dunes, wrecked ships, and fantastic walking trails. Even if you had to explore, this beach makes it an excellent place to stroll.

Spend a Full Day at Byron Bay

Byron Bay truly defines the word ‘coastal paradise’. Being one of Australia’s most important tourist towns, Byron Bay has genuinely shaken off the hipster culture in the country. With millions of travellers flocking to this place annually, the town has become widely popular among all age groups to come and make unforgettable memories.

Located to the north of NSW, Byron Bay is surrounded by golden beaches, a remarkable coastline, great vantage points, scenic walking paths & trails, and adventurous outdoor experiences. The amount of things you can do in Byron Bay is limitless. And honestly, it doesn’t matter if you spend a whole day or an entire week – you’ll never get enough of Byron Bay.

Byron Bay packs an abundance of natural beauty in its tiny-sized town. You need a reasonable amount of time to explore everything within Byron Bay. But, even if you’ve got a whole weekend to spend – you could get familiarized with this town’s amazing highlights.

Featured Blog | Byron Bay Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days in Byron Bay

Below are some of my favourite things to do in Byron Bay:

Visit Arakwal National Park:  Just a 5-minute drive from the town leads you to one of the stunning places of Byron Bay – Arakwal National Park. Surrounded by hills, bushes, dunes, and a coastline – a park is a heavenly place for those looking to unwind from a bustling crowd. The national park is constantly maintained by the state of New South Wales and by the Arakwal Aboriginal Community. While exploring the park, remember to visit Tallow Beach – one of the underrated beaches of Byron Bay. The sunset views from the coastline of this beach are genuinely striking.

Visit the Iconic Lighthouse:  Cape Byron Lighthouse stands as a recognized landmark of New South Wales. Perched atop the edge of Cape Byron, this Lighthouse marks the easternmost point of Australia. You could only imagine the views from here, overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. On one side of the Lighthouse, you’ll often spot dolphins and turtles popping out of the water, while on the other side, you get to see the vastness of Byron Bay Hinterland.

Explore the Farmers’ Market:  Every Thursday from 8-11 AM, the town hosts weekly farmers’ market for travellers and locals to explore. The focus is primarily on local goods the farmers produce, but there are other items that you can browse through. However, what’s more exciting is that these markets also produce epic events and live music shows. Overall, the market is a great way to meet locals and enjoy great music.

Explore Gold Coast Highlights

From surf breaks to theme parks and wild rainforests to towering skylines, Gold Coast is purely known for its laidback, subtropical climate. Often, you’ll see tons of backpackers on Gold Coast basing themselves to travel to other regions with Australia. Commonly, Surfers Paradise is well-known amongst these backpackers and is often crowded with general tourists. Yet, despite the buzzing crowd – Gold Coast primarily makes up to visitors with its sublime beauty and charming attractions.

And with Gold Coast, you’ve finally reached the end of this road trip. However, there’s a lot to see and do – so ensure that you stay atleast an overnight to explore what Gold Coast is all about.

Our top picks for Gold Coast include – 

Visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary:  Ideal for families travelling with their children, a visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary will immerse you into the Australian native wildlife the country boasts. It’s one of the exciting ways to get up close and watch these natural habitats doing their activities. With over 70 acres of land, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to unique Australian natives, including dingos, emus, wombats and aviaries.

Book now | A  guided tour to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary .

Explore Surfers Paradise:  As the name suggests, it’s a place where people surf or learn to surf. This area might be jammed with tourists, but you can’t deny that you’ll find the best surfing spots here. If you’re a beginner or want to learn surfing, you can start immediately! You’ll be able to find cheap surfing lessons up and down the coast, where the group teaches you basic foundations. The prices for these lesson starts from 65 AUD.

Visit SkyPoint Climb:  Only if you dare to venture, Gold Coast has got adrenaline activities stored for you. Located on top of the Q1 building, the SkyPoint Climb offers a thrilling experience of standing 270 meters above sea level. The best part? You get the best viewing experience of the entire coastline.

Where to stay in Gold Coast, Australia

Luxury Hotels | Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise , Meriton Suites Broadbeach Budget | Burleigh Gold Coast Motel , Sunshine Beach Resort

Lonely Planet Guidebooks

Lonely Planet  is a leading pioneer in curating travel guides for various destinations. I simply love the in-depth content they publish in their guidebooks, which ultimately makes it easy for travelers to read. I have been using their guidebooks for all my travel-related essentials, and it has helped me to a great extent. I highly recommend using the below books for reference during your Sydney to Gold Coast road trip.

Popular Sydney to Gold Coast Guided Tours

The below-guided tours & excursions will add an extra bit of adventure to your travels. With our partnership with GetYourGuide, we bring out exclusive activities that will totally elevate your road trip experience. Furthermore, their day-trip packages & entrance fees are discounted to help your travel in a budget-friendly way.

Further Readings & Resources

Love Australian road trips? Here are a couple of in-depth guides:

Great Ocean Road : The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary for 2 Days Whitsundays : Whitsundays Itinerary 7 Days: Ultimate Guide (+ Sailing Ideas, Tips) Airlie Beach: 3-Day Airlie Beach Itinerary | How to Spend 3 Days in Airlie Beach Flinders Ranges: The Ultimate Guide to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Explore Fleurieu Peninsula with us:

Experiences : Best Things to Do in the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia Where to Stay : 10 Gorgeous Places to Stay on the Fleurieu Peninsula Coastal Towns : 10 Unique Places to Visit on the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia

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37 Best Stops Between Sydney and the Gold Coast

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How long is the drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast?

The direct drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast is 526 mi (847 km) , and should have a drive time of 8 hrs 21 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Sydney to the Gold Coast, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Cessnock , Port Macquarie , Byron Bay , Coffs Harbour , Newcastle , Pokolbin , and Nelson Bay , as well as top places to visit like Pittwater Kayak Tours and Australian Reptile Park, or the ever-popular Palm Beach.

Top cities between Sydney and the Gold Coast

Port Macquarie

Track your travel spending and split costs with friends

Plan your trip. Keep your budget organized. Split the cost between tripmates. Wanderlog does it all.

Coffs Harbour

Best stops along sydney to the gold coast drive.

Pittwater Kayak Tours

Australian Reptile Park

Terrigal beach, the entrance town centre management, norah head lighthouse, tomaree head, tacking point lighthouse.

Sea Acres Rainforest Centre

Koala conservation hospital port macquarie, ricardoes tomatoes, smoky cape lighthouse, trial bay gaol, waterfall way.

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Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list.

Dorrigo National Park

Dangar falls, coffs coast wildlife sanctuary, forest sky pier.

The Big Banana Fun Park

Minyon falls lookout, the farm byron bay, cape byron lighthouse cafe, cape byron walking track.

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Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre

Natural bridge, springbrook national park, kirra beach, coolangatta beach, snapper rocks, top searches in the gold coast, other popular road trips from sydney, explore nearby places.

• the Gold Coast
• Mermaid Waters
• Surfers Paradise
• Mermaid Beach
• Biggera Waters
• Burleigh Heads
• West Burleigh
• Tallebudgera
• Paradise Point
• Hope Island

All related maps of the Gold Coast

• Map of the Gold Coast
• Map of Mermaid Waters
• Map of Carrara
• Map of Broadbeach
• Map of Ashmore
• Map of Surfers Paradise
• Map of Main Beach
• Map of Mermaid Beach
• Map of Robina
• Map of Southport
• Map of Miami
• Map of Nerang
• Map of Mudgeeraba
• Map of Parkwood
• Map of Labrador
• Map of Biggera Waters
• Map of Burleigh Heads
• Map of West Burleigh
• Map of Helensvale
• Map of Coombabah
• Map of Elanora
• Map of Neranwood
• Map of Tallebudgera
• Map of Palm Beach
• Map of Bonogin
• Map of Paradise Point
• Map of Oxenford
• Map of Currumbin
• Map of Hope Island
• Map of Tugun
• Map of Bilinga

the Gold Coast throughout the year

• the Gold Coast in January
• the Gold Coast in February
• the Gold Coast in March
• the Gold Coast in April
• the Gold Coast in May
• the Gold Coast in June
• the Gold Coast in July
• the Gold Coast in August
• the Gold Coast in September
• the Gold Coast in October
• the Gold Coast in November
• the Gold Coast in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in the Gold Coast?

Get inspired for your trip to the Gold Coast with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day the Gold Coast Itinerary
• 2-Day the Gold Coast Itinerary
• 3-Day the Gold Coast Itinerary
• 4-Day the Gold Coast Itinerary
• 5-Day the Gold Coast Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i drive from sydney to the gold coast.

Yes! You can drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast.

How far is the Gold Coast from Sydney by car?

The drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast is 526 miles (847 km).

How long does it take to drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast?

Driving from Sydney to the Gold Coast should take you 8 hrs 21 mins in normal traffic.

How much would gas cost from Sydney to the Gold Coast?

Gas from Sydney to the Gold Coast would cost around $46 to $108 , depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Where should I stop on the way from Sydney to the Gold Coast?

You could check out Pittwater Kayak Tours and Australian Reptile Park, or the always popular Palm Beach!

What are the best cities to visit between Sydney and the Gold Coast?

People love visiting Cessnock, Port Macquarie, and Byron Bay, among others.

What's the weather like in Sydney?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Sydney in January
• Weather in Sydney in February
• Weather in Sydney in March
• Weather in Sydney in April
• Weather in Sydney in May
• Weather in Sydney in June
• Weather in Sydney in July
• Weather in Sydney in August
• Weather in Sydney in September
• Weather in Sydney in October
• Weather in Sydney in November
• Weather in Sydney in December

What are some other road trips from Sydney?

There are plenty! Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Sydney.

• Sydney to Canberra drive
• Sydney to Melbourne drive
• Sydney to the Gold Coast drive
• Sydney to Katoomba drive
• Sydney to Cessnock drive
• Sydney to Brisbane drive
• Sydney to Adelaide drive
• Sydney to Port Macquarie drive
• Sydney to Shoalhaven drive
• Sydney to Hobart drive
• Sydney to Kiama Municipality drive
• Sydney to Pokolbin drive
• Sydney to Coffs Harbour drive
• Sydney to Dubbo drive
• Sydney to Byron Bay drive
• Sydney to Mudgee drive
• Sydney to Nelson Bay drive
• Sydney to Ballarat drive
• Sydney to Cairns drive
• Sydney to Bathurst drive
• Sydney to Orange drive
• Sydney to Launceston drive
• Sydney to Newcastle drive
• Sydney to Noosa drive
• Sydney to Torquay drive
• Sydney to Greater Bendigo drive
• Sydney to Summerlands drive
• Sydney to Bowral drive
• Sydney to Cowra drive
• Sydney to Beerwah drive

• Itinerary + map in one view
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• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

Sydney to Gold Coast Stopovers

Sydney to Gold Coast driving distance is around 850 km. The shortest route from Sydney to Gold Coast is  the Pacific Coast Highway which takes approximately 11 hours of driving time.

There are a number of interesting stopover towns if you plan to complete this trip in a couple of days. I have driven from Sydney to Brisbane a number of times and taken many interesting detours along the way. Here is a breakdown of some of the interesting places to stay between Sydney and Brisbane. 

Fatigue is the major reason for road accidents on the freeways in Australia. Therefore, planning stopovers along the way is the best way to enjoy your trip and explore some interesting locations as well. The motto on Australian roads is " Stop, Revive and Survive ".There are a number of stopovers between Brisbane and Sydney designed by the Road Authority encouraging travellers to stop for short breaks.

Free tea and biscuits are offered beside basic amenities and a covered sitting area. Information Centers  in all major cities provide a wealth of useful information on things to do and places to explore in the area. Coffs Harbour has a nice Information Center located on Pacific Coast Highway. 

Where to stop between Sydney and Gold Coast on a day trip?

If you are planning a trip to Gold Coast from Sydney, it is recommended to start early as the traffic picks up on Pacific Coast Highway from the early hours of the day.  The average driving speed limit is 110 km/hour on the Pacific Coast Highway . However, the travel time is more than expected due to the ongoing roadworks near the city of Newcastle.

The speed limit close to the cities drops between 50 km/hour to  60 km/hour.  Coffs Harbour is ideally located halfway between Brisbane and Sydney. If you start early from Sydney, the distance of 500 km can be covered in under 6 hours. 

Coffs Harbour offers a number of quality holiday accommodations including 4-star caravan parks, serviced apartments and motels. Advance Booking Online is a great way to save $$. A 14-Day Advance Purchase can save up to 40% on your hotel booking rates per day.   Compare Best Rates Online for Hotels in Coffs Harbour .

Tours & Activities at Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour offers a number of outdoor activities for the entire family including Rainforest & Waterfall Adventure  and Whale Watching Tours  which will make an ideal stay for a day stopover at Coffs Harbour. 

The coastal area in Coffs Harbour is popular with surfers and beach lovers. Weekends are quite lively with live bands playing at a number of pubs and venues in the city as well as along the waterfront area which has a number of quality restaurants and bars. Weekend markets are held along the waterfront where you can buy local crafts and a range of gourmet products from the region. 

Roadside Rest Area near Newcastle, NSW

Is driving the best way to travel between Sydney to Brisbane?

You can either catch one hour flight or hop on a train or bus to travel between these two popular destinations in Australia. Driving, however, is the most enjoyable way to explore some of the best locations in NSW and Queensland. Sydney to Brisbane travel route is probably one of the busiest air routes in Australia.

Sydney to Gold Coast is the most popular route taken by many backpackers and international travellers exploring some of the best destinations across NSW and Queensland. Long Term car rentals   are quite affordable and come with full insurance coverage. Self-driving is probably the best way to enjoy this amazing route as there are a number of beautiful detours and country routes that takes you down historical country town and hidden gems. 

Pacific Coast Highway is the quickest route to Brisbane from Sydney. Places like Central Coast ( Terrigal, The Entrance, Toukley and Forster) are slightly off the main freeway, Pacific Coast Highway 1. Therefore, these destinations are recommended if you have more time to yourself.

The cities that lie on Pacific Coast Highway 1 include Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Ballina (& Byron Bay) and Surfers Paradise.  

Most Country roads or Scenic Drives are marked by brown coloured signs as opposed to green coloured signage for intercity freeways. The scenic routes are detours through historical towns or places of interest and link back to the major freeways.   

What are the best places to stay between Sydney and Gold Coast for a 3-4 Day Trip?

Pacific Coast Highway passes through mainland NSW and Queensland. However, if you are planning to travel for 3-4 days there are a number of interesting stopover locations between Sydney and the Gold Coast. I have driven through most of the places along the Central Coast and I have short-listed some of my favourite places. 

Best places to stop between Sydney to Gold Coast

Newcastle & Central Coast | Forster | Byron Bay | Coffs Harbour | Surfers Paradise | 

New England Highway 

  1. Newcastle & Central Coast ( Nelson Bay, Port Stephens)

Mooney Mooney Bay and Brooklyn  are small towns located on the outskirts of Sydney and are quite popular for fishing charters and river and ocean cruises. Hawkesbury river exits into the ocean near the Brooklyn area. These water channels are popular for sightseeing and fishing tours. 

There are two different routes to  Newcastle. If you exit from M1 near Gosford, the coastal road takes you down the beautiful central coast towns of Gosford, Shelly Beach, The Entrance, and Swansea Heads.  I highly recommended this detour if you have more time to yourself.

Alternatively, follow the Pacific Coast Highway from Sydney all the way to the city of Newcastle. 

Newcastle is a booming city with a seaport and a thriving student community. Newcastle is the second most populated area in NSW with beautiful architecture and landscapes. A new tramline is the latest addition to the city connecting major places of interest.

The latest development along the waterfront has given a facelift to the city by adding a number of high rises, open spaces, and walking tracks.

Planning visit Sydney?  Download DIDI the Best Ridesharing App for New Years Holidays. 

Aerial View of the City of Newcastle, NSW

I personally like Newcastle because of its laid-back and relaxed feel. There are plenty of nice cafes at the waterfront as well as the hilly neighbourhoods overlooking the coastline.

Darby Street is a must-visit for foodies offering a good mix of trendy bars, coffee shops ( Goldbergs Coffee House) and restaurants. Newcastle is definitely worth a day's stop if you have more time to yourself.

For the cheapest Hostel Rates in NEWCASTLE NSW destinations compare the best hotel rates with HotelsCombined Network 

What are the most popular activities in Port Stephens New South Wales?

Around Newcastle, you can explore amazing places like  Nelson Bay  and Port Stephens . These places are popular for the largest sand dunes in Australia and offer a great holiday option for families as well as solo travellers.

The Marina at Port Stephens offers a great location for Whale Watching, Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing Charter & simply enjoying kayaking in the shallow waters along the bay. 

Nelson Bay, Fingal Bay, Soldier's Point, Tea Gardens and Salamander Bay area are very popular tourist destinations with plenty to do over the weekends. I personally like this region because of its proximity to Sydney and lovely holiday accommodation options, quality seafood restaurants, art galleries and localized fashion outlets. There are plenty of kids' activities to keep you occupied during your holidays. 

Images: Mantra at Nelson Bay

Exploring The Entrance, Toukley and Lake Tuggerah in New South Wales

Another interesting holiday spot is Entrance Waterfront which is popular for Pelican Feeding. The waterfront offers a great location for live performances over the weekend, kids' trains and family activities. This location is very lively during the long weekend and school holidays period.

Serviced Apartments are available along the waterfront with easy access to shopping malls and   Lakes Main Holiday Park  is an amazing location if you want to stay at a holiday park along Lake Tuggerah.

Planning a stopover at The Entrance NSW?

Find the best last-minute deals on the best booking sites with Agoda.com

Images: The Entrance, NSW

3. Forster & Tuncurry NSW:  305 km from Sydney

The twin towns of Forster and Toukley are my favourite locations for a weekend getaway from Sydney. You can enjoy  kayaking, boating, fishing or swimming in shallow water channels . The environment in the city is very lively and is normally packed with holiday-makers in the summers.

If you have time for yourself, I suggest you spend a day or two enjoying all the activities in Forster and Tuncurry Area. Must-visit places include One Mile Beach, McBrides Beach, and Seven Mile Beach  located south of Cape Hawk. Forster is a great spot for deep-sea fishing and rocking fishing. 

Forster waterfront is absolutely breathtaking offering two contrasting views. On one side of the bridge, you have an estuary with shallow waters, ideal for kayaking and swimming and on the other hand, you have great ocean views and a windy waterfront. The landscape is quite similar to The Entrance where the 3 massive lakes end up in the Tasman Sea. 

Forster & Tuncurry NSW

Where to stay in Forster & Tuncurry NSW?

I stayed at Discovery Park holiday Park   with is 4 Star holiday park with impressive facilities giving a sense of home away from home. The cabins are furnished with a small kitchenette with cutlery and cooking pots. The common shared area has a covered BBQ place, a massive lounge and an indoor kitchen with dining tables. 

This is definitely a great spot for family accommodation. The property is located on the outskirts of the town and commands views great views of the river. You can enjoy the following facilities at the Park

• Kid's pool and splash Are
• Restaurants
• Common Sitting Area and Lounge
• Fully contained cabins with Bunks

Offering fully-furnished cabins by the river!!!

  4 . Coffs Harbour: 550 km from Sydney 

Coffs Harbour is a definite stop as it is located almost midway between Sydney and Gold Coast. On my recent visit to the city during Easter Break I have fallen in love with the great vibe and crowds in the city. There is a weekend market on the waterfront and you can enjoy a number of nice cafes (Hogs Breath Cafe) and bars at the beach.

Beautiful Waterfront of Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour attracts large crowds during public holidays. You must book in advance to get some great deals on accommodation. Agoda offers excellent prices online. Some of the exciting places to visit in Coffs Harbour include

• The Big Banana
• Park Beach Plaza
• National Maritime Science Centre
• C.ex Coffs - Coffs Harbour Premium Dining Venues

Big Banana, a famous landmark at Coffs Harbour

Images: Coffs Harbour NSW

Check Unmissable Coffs Harbour Hotel Deals online!

If you are a nature lover, Darrigo National Park is not far from Coffs Harbour where you can find beautiful waterfalls deep in the wilderness.

Armidale is quite close to Coffs Harbour and if you are driving on New England Highway road between Armidale and Coffs Harbour connects to Pacific Highway. This offers an interesting detour if you want to avoid holiday traffic and see a bit of countryside on New England Highway.

Read more about my trip to Armidale from Sydney using New England Highway

Coffs Harbour has plenty of world-class cafes and restaurants and nightlife that will keep you entertained over the weekends. 

5. Byron Bay & Ballina: 770 km from Sydney

Byron Bay is another very popular destination offering artistic retreats and beautiful beaches. Make sure you arrange for accommodation beforehand, as this destination is quite popular during public holidays and accommodation, is hard to find. Byron Bay has a number of quality restaurants, cafes, and shopping stores.  Look out for an event guide if you want to plan your visit ahead of time as a number of music events take place in Byron around the year that attracts large crowds.  

Beautiful Views of Byron Bay from the Lighthouse

Byron is a popular hangout for artists and musicians, as this city hosts some popular music festivals throughout the year. Nimbin, the heart of the hippie culture of NSW is another popular destination for tourists. 

If you are travelling with family, Ballina and Byron Bay offer amazing stopover options. More information on the activities in the region can be obtained at the information centre in Ballina and Byron Bay area. I highly recommend visiting  Bangalow near Byron Bay for lunch or drinks. The main street in Bangalow has a number of restaurants and boutique shopping outlets. 

A beautiful day for surfing at Byron Bay

Find the Best Hotel Deals in Byron Bay with Agoda.com

6. surfers paradise, gold coast.

Surfers Paradise is undoubtedly one of the most visited and vibrant locations for a complete family holiday . Packed with tall high-rises and beautiful beaches the city is a Mekkah for fun seekers and beachgoers. With an active party scene all throughout the year, Surfers Paradise offers more than 20,000 rooms in all price ranges and budgets.

Coolangatta, Tweed Heads and Burleigh Heads  

Other popular places near Surfer's Paradise include Broadbeach, Burleigh Beach, Nobby's Head and Coolangatta. There is plenty of accommodation available in Coolangatta which is ideal for a long-term stay. Coolangatta offers dining options, coastal walks and some great spots for swimming and surfing.  

Beautiful View of Surfers Paradise

You can enjoy a wide range of water sports including cruises, charter hires, ballooning, deep-sea fishing and sky-diving.  Surprisingly, Surfers Paradise has more canals than Venice in Italy. Most waterfront properties are owned by celebrities and you will explore multi-million dollar mansions along the canals stretching to Broadwaters.   

During my several visits to Surfers Paradise, I have stayed at Towers of Chevron , which is centrally located in the shopping areas and beach at Surfers Paradise. Public Holidays and Christmas Season bring street performers, concerts and kids' activities over the weekends. 

Alternative Route from Sydney to Gold Coast

New England Highway from Newcastle to Armidale:

New England Highway offers an alternative route to Gold Coast. Our first stop along the way was at Musselbrook , a mid-sized town 250km north of Sydney. This city is historically famous for horse breeding and coal mining. Lately, this region has gained a reputation for gourmet food and wine tasting. 

Murrarundi is a small town along the way where you can get some local information about the region at the Information Center along New England Highway. You some cottages dating back to the last century built by early settlers in the region. 

Tamworth is the next major down popular for Australian Country Music and car racing. This is a great city to stop over if you have more time to spare. We proceeded to "Big Golden Guitar" to take some memorable pictures. 

Our first stopover for the night was at Armidale, a beautiful town of Armidale. Developed around the 1850s Armidale enjoyed the riches of the gold rush, evident in the nice historical buildings and architecture of the town. Armidale has a number of heritage buildings including a cathedral and post office buildings. 

Rydges Armidale   is one of the best places to stay in Armidale. There are plenty of nice cafes and restaurants in the city area. In winter, the shops and businesses close early therefore, it is advisable to plan an early dinner. 

The drive to Coffs Harbour from Armidale passes through Dorrigo National Park. This place is ideal for bushwalking, trekking or enjoying a picnic on the grounds of the park. The lookout in the park provides an amazing view of the New England Tablelands. Take a walk along the track to the beautiful Dorrigo Waterfalls. 

General Distance Guide

Sydney to Taree: 308 km

Sydney to Port Macquarie: 385 km

Sydney to Kempsey: 420 km

Sydney to Coffs Harbour: 533 km

Sydney to Grafton: 614 km

Sydney to Ballina: 740 km

Sydney to Tweeds Head: 829 km

Sydney to Brisbane: 931 km

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I have been exploring South-East Asia for over twenty years and have visited some of the best destinations in the region. Through my blog, I want to share some interesting travel tips, my experience of driving across Asian destinations and some of the best places to explore in this region. I have undertaken hundreds of road trips, across Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. Most of the information in this blog comes through my own road trips and adventures in the exotic locations I have visited. 

I have, in the past followed in Anthony Bourdain's footsteps and visited most of the restaurants his team explored in their shows. Join in on my adventures and follow my trails on Instagram & Facebook Page. 

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Gold Coast To Sydney Road Trip: Top 18 Tips

Gold Coast to Sydney road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the Australia . The 837 km of Gold Coast to Sydney drive takes around 8 hours and 51 mins without stops.

This article includes 18 tips that turn your Gold Coast to Sydney drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney, take your coffee and keep reading!

Table of Contents

6 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Gold Coast To Sydney

On the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip, you may want to stay at some points. Here are the top six hotels on the Gold Coast – Sydney route!

1. RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast

RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip. Driving from Gold Coast to RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast might take around 9 mins . The staff at this hotel are courteous and professional. The rooms are comfortable, and the dining experiences are all delicious. The wait staff is excellent, and there are plenty of things to do at this hotel, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a relaxing and enjoyable stay. Check the RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast, one of the best hotels in Gold Coast, Queensland, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.

2. Cape Byron Retreat

Cape Byron Retreat is another top hotel where you can choose to stay on the road trip to Sydney from Gold Coast. Located in Byron Bay, New South Wales, the hotel is 96.1 km away from Gold Coast, and it would take 1 hour and 17 mins to drive. The hotel is just a 10-minute drive from the city center, where you can find all the supplies you need or enjoy a meal out if that is your preference. The views of the hinterland offer a tranquil and picturesque setting. If you want to learn more about the Cape Byron Retreat, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com .

3. Royal Palms Motor Inn

Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Royal Palms Motor Inn. Royal Palms Motor Inn is located in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, and it’s 310 km away from Gold Coast. You can arrive there in 3 hours and 16 mins of non-stop driving. The guest rooms at this hotel offer a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator. The beds are comfortable, and the rooms are nicely sized, with everything guests might need, including a microwave, toaster, and kettle. The staff is helpful. Prices are reasonable. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Royal Palms Motor Inn for more information.

4. City Centre Motel

If you are taking the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney, Kempsey, New South Wales, it is must have a place you should visit. Plus, City Centre Motel is one of the best hotels in town. It is City Centre Motel, 1,663 km from Gold Coast, and it would take 17 hours and 4 mins to drive. The motel room was clean, with comfortable beds and well-maintained facilities. The staff at reception were courteous and professional during the check-in and check-out processes. Guest rooms offer a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator. Additionally, guests can access the internet with the free wifi offered by the motel. If you need more info about the price and availability of the City Centre Motel, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.

5. Forster Motor Inn

Our next hotel is Forster Motor Inn, Forster, New South Wales. It will take 5 hours, and 57 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Gold Coast. The motel is an excellent value, with comfortable beds, clean and spacious rooms, and a fantastic staff. It allows guests to bring pet dogs and is within walking distance from shops and restaurants. Check the Forster Motor Inn on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Forster Motor Inn for reviews, prices, and availability.

6. Little National Hotel Sydney

Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney is Little National Hotel Sydney. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel, located in Sydney, New South Wales, within 8 hours and 50 mins drive from Gold Coast. The hotel is conveniently located near many attractions, and the rooms are comfortable and well-equipped. The bed is comfortable, the lighting is good, and the bathroom is well-designed. The rooftop bar is excellent, with a beautiful view of the city. I appreciate being able to order meals via menu log or deliveroo. The staff are helpful and accommodating. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com .

In this part, we explained six hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by commenting on this post. It will help people who will take the same Gold Coast to Sydney route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Gold Coast to Sydney. We have six restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

6 Best Restaurants On The Gold Coast To Sydney Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Gold Coast to Sydney road trip. This section lists the six restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast

We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip with Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast. Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast, is located in Gold Coast, Queensland, 10.3 km from Gold Coast. It would take 19 mins of driving. The restaurant’s food was fantastic. We had a delightful evening. The atmosphere was great. The sushi was delicious and some of our best in town. We recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great meal and a good time. For more information about Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast.

2. The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co

Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Sydney from Gold Coast is The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. Located in Byron Bay, New South Wales, The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co is 92.1 km from Gold Coast and would take 1 hour and 12 mins of driving. The service was efficient, and the food was served promptly. The oysters, steak, pork, and pasta were all cooked perfectly. The restaurant has a beautiful setting and pleasant ambiance. If you want to learn more about The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .

3. Urban Espresso Lounge

Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Urban Espresso Lounge. It will take 3 hours and 20 mins of car drive to take 312 km from Gold Coast to Urban Espresso Lounge, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The coffee was excellent. The meal was enjoyable, with the Corn Fritter stack and pancakes both delicious and well-presented. The waitress was attentive and polite, ensuring our coffee cups were never empty. Overall, a great experience. You can check Urban Espresso Lounge on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information .

4. The Garden Bar & Kitchen

The Garden Bar & Kitchen deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Kempsey, New South Wales. The establishment offers a good variety of wines ordered by glass or bottle. Our table on the covered deck had a picturesque view of the Macleay River and farmland beyond – it was a very tranquil setting for lunch. The service was friendly and prompt, and the food was attractively presented and tasted great. The Garden Bar & Kitchen is 411 km away from Gold Coast and would take 4 hours and 22 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about The Garden Bar & Kitchen, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .

5. Spice Monkey Forster

If you enjoy dining, Spice Monkey Forster would be an excellent choice in Forster, New South Wales. It’s 561 km from Gold Coast and would take 5 hours and 56 mins of car driving. The Kingfish sashimi, duck curry, and barramundi at the Forster restaurant were all excellent. The portions were generous, and the service was excellent. The staff was friendly and polite, making for a perfect dining experience. If you want to learn more about the Spice Monkey Forster, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps .

6. Harvest Buffet Sydney

Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney is Harvest Buffet Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales. It will take 8 hours and 54 mins of driving to reach Harvest Buffet Sydney from Gold Coast. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a good meal. The environment was clean and inviting, and the staff was always welcoming and helpful. The chicken curry and duck dishes were both delicious and reasonably priced. For more information about Harvest Buffet Sydney, you can check the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for your road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 837 km journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Sydney road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Gold Coast to Sydney. Keep reading.

6 Places To Visit On The Gold Coast To Sydney Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Sydney. However, on your road trip, there are also some unique destinations, like Gold Coast, Queensland. We want to explain the recommended top six destinations  on the Sydney route.

1. Sea World, Gold Coast

Sea World, Gold Coast will be the first destination we recommend you stop by on your Gold Coast to Sydney road trip. Located in Gold Coast, Queensland, Sea World, Gold Coast is 9.4 km away from Gold Coast, and it would take 17 mins to drive. Sea World, Gold Coast, is an excellent place for a fun day out. There are plenty of rides and attractions, and the shows are worth checking out. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the food is reasonably priced. We had a fantastic day and would recommend it to anyone. If you want to learn more about the Sea World Gold Coast, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .

2. Cape Byron Lighthouse

Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay, New South Wales, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop on the Gold Coast to Sydney route. It’s 95.5 km from Gold Coast, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 20 mins of driving. The Cape Byron Lighthouse is located on Australia’s most easterly point and offers a shining light over Byron Bay. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant walk from the car park up to the lighthouse, and there are a few small trails down the other side with good views of the coastline and lighthouse. If you want to learn more about Cape Byron Lighthouse, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website .

3. Dolphin Marine Conservation Park

One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney is Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. And if you visit Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, we suggest you visit Dolphin Marine, Conservation Park. You can arrive at Dolphin Marine Conservation Park after 3 hours and 18 mins of driving. The Dolphine Marine Conservation Park is a fantastic experience. The staff is incredibly welcoming, and you can spend some time up close with the dolphins, sea lions, and penguins. It is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Dolphin Marine Conservation Park for more information.

4. The Slim Dusty Centre

Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit The Slim Dusty Centre, Kempsey, New South Wales, on the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip. The Slim Dusty Centre is 425 km from Gold Coast, and you can arrive there after the 4 hours and 30 mins drive. The Slim Dusty Centre, located in Kempsey, is a multi-purpose facility that offers Visitor Information, a Retail Shop, the Nulla Nulla Art Gallery, Dusty’s Dinner Camp Cafe, and the Slim Dusty Museum. The museum’s collection of memorabilia is extensive, and the “This is your Life” show is a must-see for fans of the late country music legend. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of The Slim Dusty Centre before going there.

5. One Mile Beach

Located in Forster, New South Wales, One Mile Beach ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. You must take 7 hours and 18 mins of driving to arrive at One Mile Beach. This beach features a long stretch of sand, a large dune at one end, and the surf club cafe at the bottom. The cafe is open on set days and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The surf club cafe offers a great selection of food and drink and is perfect for relaxing after a day spent at the beach. If you want to learn more about One Mile Beach, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website .

6. Sydney Opera House

Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney is the Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales. Sydney Opera House is 837 km from Gold Coast, and it would take 8 hours and 49 mins to drive. The Sydney Opera House is a world-renowned building located in Australia. Visitors can schedule tours of the Opera House in advance, and there are many great restaurants, coffee houses, and shops nearby. The Opera House is located next to a ferry terminal, making it easy to access. At night, the Opera House is illuminated with colorful projections, making it an even more beautiful sight. You can check their TripAdvisor page or official website for more information about the Sydney Opera House .

FAQ of the Road Trip From Gold Coast to Sydney

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Gold Coast to Sydney drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Gold Coast To Sydney?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip takes approximately 8 hours and 51 mins to drive. The driving distance between Gold Coast to Sydney is 837 km.
• If you want to make the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip by bike , the time you spend on the road will be one day and 22 hours .
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Gold Coast-Sydney route, you will have to walk for seven days and 2 hours .

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Gold Coast To Sydney?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Sydney. You can visit Gold Coast, Queensland; Byron Bay, New South Wales; Coffs Harbour, New South Wales; Kempsey, New South Wales; Forster, New South Wales; Sydney, New South Wales, on the road. Here we list six places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the Gold Coast to Sydney journey, you can check the 6 Best Places To Visit On The Gold Coast To Sydney Road Trip.

• Sea World, Gold Coast: 9.4 km / 17 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 842 km / 9 hours of driving to Sydney.
• Cape Byron Lighthouse: 95.5 km / 1 hour and 20 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 760 km / 8 hours and 4 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Dolphin Marine Conservation Park: 312 km / 3 hours and 18 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 528 km / 5 hours and 34 mins of driving to Sydney.
• The Slim Dusty Centre: 425 km / 4 hours and 30 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 415 km / 4 hours and 25 mins of driving to Sydney.
• One Mile Beach: 696 km / 7 hours and 18 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 204 km / 2 hours and 28 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Sydney Opera House: 837 km / 8 hours and 49 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 1.7 km / 9 mins of driving to Sydney.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Gold Coast To Sydney?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. We have selected six hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 6 Best Hotels On The Road Trip To Sydney From Gold Coast section.

• RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast: 5.1 km / 9 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 842 km / 8 hours and 48 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Cape Byron Retreat: 96.1 km / 1 hour and 17 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 761 km / 8 hours of driving to Sydney.
• Royal Palms Motor Inn: 310 km / 3 hours and 16 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 529 km / 5 hours and 35 mins of driving to Sydney.
• City Centre Motel: 1,663 km / 17 hours and 4 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 836 km / 8 hours and 39 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Forster Motor Inn: 562 km / 5 hours and 57 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 306 km / 3 hours and 27 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Little National Hotel Sydney: 837 km / 8 hours and 50 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 0.7 km / 4 mins of driving to Sydney.

Where To Eat Between Gold Coast to Sydney?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Gold Coast to Sydney drive, you can consider the six restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 6 Best Restaurants On The Gold Coast To Sydney Road Trip .

• Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast: 10.3 km / 19 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 844 km / 9 hours and 3 mins of driving to Sydney.
• The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co: 92.1 km / 1 hour and 12 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 757 km / 7 hours and 55 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Urban Espresso Lounge: 312 km / 3 hours and 20 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 527 km / 5 hours and 33 mins of driving to Sydney.
• The Garden Bar & Kitchen: 411 km / 4 hours and 22 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 428 km / 4 hours and 33 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Spice Monkey Forster: 561 km / 5 hours and 56 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 306 km / 3 hours and 28 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Harvest Buffet Sydney: 839 km / 8 hours and 54 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 2.1 km / 6 mins of driving to Sydney.

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. We have listed six hotels, six restaurants, and six places to visit on the Gold Coast to Sydney drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.

Video: Sydney Road Trip – Travel Guide

In this video, you can find an extensive travel guide to Sydney.

Other Road Trips Worth Your Attention

• Melbourne To Sydney Road Trip: Top 24 Tips
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Distance between Sydney and Gold Coast

Driving non-stop from sydney to gold coast.

How far is Gold Coast from Sydney? Here's the quick answer if you don't sleep at all, or you have a friend with you so each person can drive some of the way, letting you make the entire trip by car without stopping.

Nonstop drive: 525 miles or 845 km

Driving time: 9 hours, 24 minutes

This is a pretty long drive, so it's not very realistic to drive nonstop. To get a better idea of how long this road trip would really be, scroll down to calculate how many hours it would take if you drive with stops .

Flying non-stop from Sydney to Gold Coast

Now let's assume you have a private jet and you can fly in the fastest possible straight line between Sydney, New South Wales and Gold Coast, Queensland. Because of the curvature of the Earth, the shortest distance is actually the "great circle" distance, or "as the crow flies" which is calculated using an iterative Vincenty formula.

Flight distance: 424 miles or 683 km

Flight time: 1 hour, 21 minutes

The straight line flight distance is 101 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 1.2x of the flight distance.

Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/7th of the time it would take to drive.

This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. In that case, your travel time would really need to include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other airport, and get to your destination. Scroll down to see a more realistic calculation that takes into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate of your actual flight time .

Sydney to Gold Coast road trip

Realistically, you're not going to want to drive without stopping all the way from Sydney to Gold Coast, especially if you're the main driver. So let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Gold Coast, and you need to stop along the way to rest. Plus if it's a real road trip, you might want to check out interesting stops along the way, eat at great restaurants, and find a hotel to stay overnight. That's what Trippy is perfect for, helping you figure out travel plans in detail.

Based on the length of this trip, we think you could spread out this fun road trip over a number of days.

Road trip: 3 days of driving

With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate your total travel time for this trip.

Travel time: 19 hours on the road with 2 overnights

Start in Sydney .

Drive for about 9 hours , then stop at Palm Beach and stay overnight. The next day, drive for about 1 hour , then stop in Newcastle (Australia) and stay for about 1 hour. Next, drive for another 2 hours then stop in Forster and stay for 1 hour. Drive for 1.5 hours then stop in Port Macquarie . Stay overnight. The next day, drive for about 1.5 hours , then stop in Nambucca Heads and stay for about 1 hour. Next, drive for another 2 hours then stop in Angourie and stay for 1 hour. Drive for 1.5 hours then stop in Byron Bay and stay for 1 hour. Finally, drive for about 1.5 hours and arrive in Gold Coast .

Sydney to Gold Coast airports and flights

In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a private plane and just wanted to know the time in the air from city to city. But for most of us, we're going to be flying on a commercial airline (whether it's first class or coach). So that means we really need to account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport, waiting for our flight, and making it to the destination.

To give you a better estimate of real-life travel, we've put together a flight itinerary with actual airports. Eventually you'll be able to customize this plan, choosing your own airports and flights. But for now, here's an example we've selected to give you an idea of how traveling might work between airports.

Departure airport: Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD)

Arrival airport: Brisbane Airport (BNE)

With the airports selected, we can estimate the travel time to and from the airport, based on how far the airport is from downtown.

Getting to the airport: 17 minutes

Getting to your destination: 140 minutes

Now finally, let's look at an actual flight from SYD to BNE on Qantas Airways and figure out how long it would take to fly including take-off and landing, and time to taxi on the runway.

Commercial flight time: 1 hour, 21 minutes

So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time from Sydney to Gold Coast including time spent getting to/from the airports, an estimated wait time of 2 hours at the airport for TSA security lines and waiting at the gate, and the actual flight itself.

Total travel time: 6 hours

Plan a trip to Gold Coast

Trippy has a ton of information that can help you plan your trip to Gold Coast, Queensland. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Gold Coast . Check out some of the questions people have asked about Gold Coast like What are fun things to do with a family on Australia's Gold Coast? . Click the button below to explore Gold Coast in detail.

How far is it the other way?

The distance is the same either way if you're flying a straight line (or driving the same roads back and forth). But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences so go ahead and check the reverse directions to get the distance from Gold Coast to Sydney , or go to the main page to calculate the distance between cities .

If you happen to know Sydney, don't forget to help other travelers and answer some questions about Sydney!

More info on this route: drive from Sydney to Gold Coast road conditions alternate routes Google driving directions

Honest tourism information about Australia

Sydney to Gold Coast road trip: Stops, distance & driving time

• David Whitley
• Practicalities

Sydney to Gold Coast road trip: Newcastle and Port Stephens

The drive then passes between Morriset and  Cooranbong , running west of Lake Macquarie and near the southern tip of Watagans National Park. Close to the Mount Sugarloaf Lookout, you might choose to leave the Pacific Motorway and head east into Newcastle.

Once in Newcastle, you can go on  boat tours  along the Hunter coast,  street art walks ,  whale-watching cruises  and after dark  true crime tours .

9 cool Newcastle experiences you need to book in advance

• An Adventure boat cruise along the Hunter coast – with thrills and scenery.
• A mobile phone-based scavenger hunt – explore the city differently.
• An architecture and street art walking tour – see all the best murals.
• A whale-watching tour – get close to the migrating humpback whales .
• A two hour city highlights tour by bus – get orientated when you first arrive.
• A scenic helicopter flight – see the spectacular coastline from above.
• A three hour craft beer and food-matching tour – get a taste of the drinking and dining scene .
• A food, drink and history walking tour – hear stories and indulge at the same time.

Newcastle accommodation  picks include the deluxe  Crystalbrook Kingsley , the energetically stylish  QT Newcastle  and the heritage-stuffed  Grand Hotel .

After Newcastle comes a good potential detour to Port Stephens . Here, you can admire Fighter Jets at  Fighter World  and take a  quad biking tour  over the Worimi Sand Dunes.

Other Port Stephens attractions include  Oakvale Wildlife Park , the  Shark, Ray and All Creatures Rescue Centre  and  Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters .

Camel rides on  Birubi Beach  near  Anna Bay , nude bathing at  Samurai Beach  and the  Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary are also on the menu.

Nelson Bay , where you can try  dolphin-watching cruises ,  snorkelling with dolphins  and tackling the  Tomaree Head Summit Walk , is the main hub for Port Stephens.

For  Nelson Bay accommodation , try the golf course-abutting  Landmark Resort , the budget conscious  Peninsula Motel and Serviced Apartments  or the apartment-style  Mantra Nelson Bay .

Click through to the next section: North of Newcastle.

Gold Coast to Sydney Road Trip: 2024 Guide

In this post, you will find the details of our fantastic road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney.

Whilst we are coast-lovers, we also wanted to see some of the world famous protected rainforests of Gondwana and spend time in the Blue Mountains before finishing the trip in Sydney.

We flew into Gold Coast airport early on a Saturday morning and left from Sydney late the following Saturday. In that time we packed in a huge variety of experiences.

There is something for everyone here. For nature lovers there are the beautiful coasts for whale watching, rainforests for rare lyrebirds and mountains for breathtaking viewpoints. For city-breakers you have one of the most iconic views in any city on earth. It’s an easy route to navigate with a family, or one just for a romantic getaway.

So without further hold-ups, here are all the details you’ll need to re-create this road trip from the Gold Coast to Sydney.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• 4 x UNESCO Heritage Sites
• Seeing rare Lyrebirds in ancient rainforest
• The skywalk at Dorrigo National Park
• Urunga Boardwalk
• Humpback Whales on the East Coast
• The Koala Hospital at Port Macquarie
• Spectacular viewpoints in the Blue Mountains
• Seeing the iconic structures of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and O p era House
• Watching a performance at Sydney Opera House

OUR AUSTRALIA CREDENTIALS

Quick gold coast to sydney itinerary.

• Day 1: Gold Coast Airport to Grafton (312km)

Day 2: Grafton to Dorrigo (246km)

Day 3: dorrigo to port macquarie (227km), day 4: port macquarie to katoomba (541km), day 5: the blue mountains, day 6: blue mountains to sydney (108km), day 7: sydney.

• Day 8: Sydney

Need to Know

Here are a few random thoughts that might help when planning the trip:

• We booked the hire car with Budget for pick up at Gold Coast Airport and drop off at Pitt Street in Sydney. Total cost was $440 for a small hatchback.
• I was breathalysed ALOT on this route. Four times in a week, I must have one of those faces! Be careful ….
• When you get into the forests there are long stretches with no petrol stations. Plan ahead.
• There are parts of this route which flood in the wet season, so check before you set off.
• We booked everything through Booking.com and Airbnb, keeping costs down by finding places with small kitchens so we could buy food at local supermarkets rather than eating out.
• The Gold Coast Highway is a well-worn route. Keep an eye out for brown signs and follow them, it’s amazing what you find! The joy of a road trip is often not the destination it’s what you see from the car. When following the coastal road get off the M1 highway as often as you can and you will be rewarded.

Map of Route

There is alot of information in this map, but if you load into ‘ My Maps ‘ in Google and then click ‘ View Legend ‘ at the bottom you can toggle on and off the layers (which are split in to days) and focus on what you need to see.

Day 1: Gold Coast to Grafton (312km)

• 0920: Tucking into some homemade fudge
• 0940: Seeing a Lyrebird in the wild, and amazing views at ‘Best Of All Lookout’
• 1130: Walking through the rainforest at Natural Bridge
• 1315: Lunch at the hippie town of Nimbin

We got the 0600 flight out of Melbourne which got us into Gold Coast Airport for around 0800. After a short drive on the highway, we were in Springbrook National Park , winding our way up steep roads with incredible old bridges such as the one below. It was a road-trippers paradise and we were barely out of the airport!

Our first stop off was Wunburra Lookout, which gave us a small taste of the incredible views that were to come through the day. Here you can see the view right the way back to Gold Coast City, it was barely 0900 by this point and the morning sun was hitting the Pacific Ocean beautifully.

THE FUDGE SHOP, SPRINGBROOK

About another 10 minutes up the winding roads (having passed a number of wheezing cyclists) we came across a wonderful little fudge shop , which proved to be the perfect stop-off given our low sugar and caffeine levels after an early start.

BEST OF ALL LOOKOUT

Shortly afterwards we got to our main destination for the morning, the ‘ Best Of All Lookout ‘. The Springbrook marketing department weren’t exactly working hard when they came up with this name but did they get it right?

After parking there is a gentle walk of about 500m to get to the lookout through some ancient Gondwana Rainforest ( UNESCO site one done early!). Slow down and keep your eyes peeled through here. We were lucky enough to see an Albert’s Lyrebird which are endemic to these rainforests and famous for its incredible mimicry .

The view from the lookout is spectacular in a way that will become all too familiar in the next seven days (in an entirely positive way!). Having left our home in Melbourne with winds so bad that part of a local pier had snapped off , it was great to see the blue skies of Queensland above the landscape which you can see everything from an ancient volcano to the ocean. It’s definitely worth the drive but the ‘Best Of All’? It certianly gets some stiff competition in the Blue Mountains as you’ll see later in the post.

INTERESTING FACT: Gondwana (after which the rainforests are named) is actually an ancient super-continent that contained the landmasses we call Africa, Australia, Antarctica and South America. On the walk to ‘Best Of All Lookout’ you can see evidence of this with signposted Antarctic Birch trees found only in Australia, Chile and Argentina, which were one continent before the split.

After a quick hop out of the car and photo at Canyon Lookout we headed down out of the mountains towards Natural Bridge. The landscape changed dramatically as we dropped off of the high ground into the valleys with the lush forests replaced with a much drier and rocky landscape.

The first view that caught our eye was the one below, a dead forest at the side of the road. This is the edge of the Hinze Dam catchment area, which was raised in 2011 and killed a lot of the trees on its bank. The photo below was taken right beside the road and reminded us of the huge expanses of dead forest we saw by the Nam Theun Reservoir whilst driving the Thakhek Loop in Laos .

NATURAL BRIDGE

Next, we were on to Natural Bridge one of the highlights of Springbrook National Park. Whilst this looks incredibly close to ‘Best Of All Lookout’ on a map, it’s a 35km drive, owing to the fact it’s a bloody long way down from the top! We arrived around 1130.

Natural Bridge is famous for (you guessed it) a natural bridge of stone, which has been carved out over millions of years. You can walk over the top of it, and down into the cave where the river pours down through a small gap. The cave is also home to a colony of bats and some glowworms, which weren’t doing alot of glowing, which I guess we can forgive them for being the middle of the day.

It’s not just the natural bridge itself that makes this a great destination, the paths that snake through the surrounding rainforest make for a lovely and not-too-steep stroll. These are UNESCO protected rainforests, and I saw a stat that less that 1% of Australia’s original rainforests remain, though I’m struggling to back that up. This article states that 25% has been removed just in the last 200 years, so make the most of these amazing forests.

DRIVE TO NIMBIN

The next 75km of drive to Nimbin was spectacular. It was very different to the mountains of Springbrook, dropping quickly onto wide valleys with high sides and eventually onto big open plains. It’s hard to describe over an hour’s worth of driving in a single paragraph but just take my word for it, this is a road-trippers dream! The shot below shows a view with Mount Warning in the background but the landscape changed so often with little rivers, farms, rocky outcrops and forests no one image would be an appropriate microcosm of the whole drive.

LUNCH AT NIMBIN

We’d done no research about Nimbin, just marked it on a map as a place that might be good to stop and grab some lunch.

So imagine our surprise when it looked like the photo below!

In 1973 the Aquarius Festival was held here and afterwards, hundreds of people stayed on to form communes and set up a town dedicated to alternative lifestyles. According to Wikipedia it has been described as ‘the drug capital of Australia’, ‘a  social experiment ‘, and ‘an escapist sub-culture’ . It is certainly a colourful place with some even more colourful characters. Not really our scene but good fun if your into that kind of thing I guess. All I know is the cafe on the corner did an incredible halloumi burger so, suitably fueled, we hit the road again.

NIMBIN TO GRAFTON

Just after you leave Nimbin pull over into one of the dusty parking areas and have a look up to your right. There are some fantastic views up to the rocky outcrop that overlooks the town.

The drive from Nimbin down to Grafton is a bit of a slog with just over 150km to go. If you prefer a shorter drive you could stay at Casino for the night instead, but we preferred to push on and leave ourselves a shorter drive the next day. The roads quickly turn into dual lane highways with 100kmh-120kmh speed limits, so it won’t take too long.

• 1000: Park Beach at Coffs Harbour
• 1115: Breakfast at the Old Butter Cafe
• 1230: The Skywalk and Lyrebird Link Trail at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
• 1430: Dangar Falls
• 1530: Griffiths Lookout
• 1630: Ebor Falls

We started out fairly late this morning after a lie in to make up for the early flight the day before. The first part of the drive was around 85km down the highway to Coffs Harbour. Despite being big roads it was a stunning drive, and a great start to the second day.

We were aiming for Coffs Harbour, so pulled off of the main A1 Pacific Highway in to town. We parked up by a sign for ‘Park Beach’ and were greeted by an endless expanse of sand which we had pretty much to ourselves other than a couple of dog walkers.

We wandered for a while before jumping in the car again to look for some breakfast. We saw nothing of note at Coffs Harbour, so took the road for Dorrigo which is the start of ‘ Waterfall Way ‘. About 30km further on we saw signs for a craft shop and cafe so pulled over, and we hit the jackpot! It might just have been that it’d been nearly 16 hours since our last meal, but The Old Butter Factory is the best breakfast I’ve had in a very long time.

From here it is only 30km to Dorrigo, which was due to be our destination for the night. We passed through the pretty little town of Bellingen before heading up some incredibly steep mountain roads. The photo below was taken just outside of Bellingen before the roads start to get really steep.

SKYWALK, RAINFOREST CENTRE & LYREBIRD LINK TRACK

By 1230 we’d made it up the mountain and into the much cooler rainforests of the Dorrigo National Park. About 2km from the main road is the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and for $2 per person, we headed through to the Skywalk Lookout and Lyrebird Link Track. We’d read about these online but were confused about where they were. Turns out they’re both in the same place!

The is a wooden platform that takes you out above the rainforest canopy for spectacular views that stretch out for miles. A photo can’t tell the whole story though, the parrots were shrieking in the tree-tops and the cool winter breeze made it feel not as warm as it looked. A wonderful place.

When we stepped off the skywalk it was time to head off down the Lyrebird Link Track, which is a maze of paths out into the rainforest. There are lots of loops and we opted for one about 1.5km.

The walk was beautiful. Forests like these almost feel alive and it was easy to imagine we were walking through an enchanted forest straight out of a Tolkien novel. the trees creak as they pass each other, small birds rustle in the leaf litter and I was constantly stopping us hoping to spot some rare wildlife in the darkness.

The most amazing of the trees was the Strangler Figs , which germinate in the top of a tree and then send roots down, gradually suffocating the life out of the host tree and leaving a hollow you could walk in to.

We saw no Lyrebirds but has more than a few close encounters with Brush Turkeys that don’t seem to fear us at all!

DANGAR FALLS

Dangar Falls is only a few kilometres north of Dorrigo town, so we drove through to check it out. We only had a brief stop off, as wanted to get to the bigger Ebor Falls before dark. If we’d had a bit more energy we might have walked down to the bottom of the valley but instead we barely left the car and took these photos from the viewpoint!

GRIFFITHS LOOKOUT

We were staying at The Lookout Mountain Retreat so headed here to check in and noticed signs to the Griffiths Lookout on the road behind. We thought we’d chance a look and weren’t disappointed.

About 50km on from Dorrigo is Ebor Falls. We were originally planning to head here the following day but decided if we got there tonight then we could spend more time on the coast (a decision that would definitely pay off!).

We arrived just before sunset and not only got to see the Falls but also the sun setting over the valleys to the west.

• 0930: Urunga Boardwalk
• 1230: Trial Bay Gaol
• 1545: Koala Hospital
• 1615: Tacking Point Lighthouse
• 1700: Sunset at Town Beach

URUNGA BOARDWALK

When I mentioned the decision to come back to the coast was a worthwhile one, this is what I meant. We had never heard of the Urunga Boardwalk , and had certainly not seen any photos of it. We had decided to follow one of the many brown signs you see on the Pacific Highway, this one showed ‘tourist route 14’ and took us into the small town of Urunga.

The Broadwalk is a 260m long timber structure which passes alongside the mouth of a river before reaching the sea. To one side there is a huge mangrove forest, to the other turquoise waters that looked like they belong in the Caribbean. At the end was a huge beach that was completely deserted (excuse the pun!).

If the description doesn’t do it for you, check out the pictures….

We spent a good hour enjoying the sunshine, watching pelicans and sitting on the beach. If you want some more information about Urunga Boardwalk and the town, this post is fantastic .

TRIAL BAY GAOL

It was around 80km on to Trial Bay Gaol which is only around an hour by the quickest routes, but we spent time following the multiple tourist routes that are off of the main Pacific Highway and took us closer down to the coast.

Arriving at the Gaol we were treated to these views, almost worth the drive for these alone. Even more excitingly we saw Humpback Whales and Dolphins out in the bay!

The Gaol was built in the late 1800s and used to house prisoners during the World Wars. It was a relatively relaxed prison, with inmates free to walk the grounds. There are definitely worse places to be banged up!

It costs $11 per person for entry.

KOALA HOSPITAL – PORT MACQUARIE

We jumped back on the fast roads to Port Macquarie, as we wanted to get to the Koala Hospital before closing time.

Given how iconic they are to Australia, these little furballs have a really tough time with habitat destruction, fires and disease causing their numbers to drop at an alarming rate – to the stage where they are now consider ed functionally extinct .

The Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie was set up in 1973 to try and help them out, rescuing injured koalas with the aim of rehabilitating and releasing them,. Unfortunately some are just too badly injured and they have a permanent home at the hospital.

Remarkably, entry is free and there is a guided tour at 3pm every day. It is a small facility but beautifully maintained with lots of koalas to see and a little gift shop. We were only here for half an hour, but it was well worth the visit.

TACKING POINT LIGHTHOUSE

After the koalas we went for a drive through Port Macquarie and ended up at Tacking Point Lighthouse. We parked down at the Life Saving Club and walked across the beach up to the lookout and lighthouse.

The South Pacific Ocean was wild tonight, with brisk winds turning the surf into a mist along the beach. The views here were absolutely stunning!

Tacking Point lays claim to be the 13th (wow!) oldest lighthouse in Australia. I’m not sure it’s a huge claim to fame but it’s still a pretty cool place. The lighthouse itself is really small at only 8m, which is due to its perfect location on the headland meaning it was visible without needing to be too tall. This is also meant to be a perfect place to view Humpback Whales during their migration season. June to November are the best times to see them , but not August (typically we were visiting in August). Not sure what they get up to at this point, but they weren’t hanging out here! It can’t be quite accurate though as we definitely saw some earlier in the day at Trial Bay Gaol.

We ended the day at Town Beach, a popular with surfers, skateboarders and people who like painting rocks! It also happens to be the perfect place to watch the sunset.

We wandered up the coast a bit and stopped to appreciate the fearlessness of the kids on their scooters, skateboards and bikes whipping through the obstacles at the skate park. The sunset was gorgeous, we took it in and then called it a night.

There’s no getting around it, if you follow this road-trip itinerary to the letter, today is an animal of a drive.

We decided we wanted to spend as much time as possible in the Blue Mountains and Sydney, so as we were on a strict schedule it was always going to need one monster driving day, and this was it. If you’ve got an extra day you could stop off in Newcastle to make it more manageable.

Despite the distance it was an interesting day, with the road from Newcastle first turning into what felt like African plains and then heading in to the kinds of twisting, steep roads we’d seen back in Springbrook. We opted to go through Yengo National Park on the way to the Blue Mountains .

A word of warning here , there are no fuel stops for around 120km through the National Parks. We ALMOST got caught out, arriving at the petrol pump with 4km left in the tank. It was pretty scary, don’t do this to yourself!

So there you have it, day 4, smashed it (we didn’t even take a photo!).

• Anvil Lookout
• Pulpit Rock Lookout
• Walk from the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre to Govetts Leap Lookout
• The pretty town of Leura
• Three Sisters
• Katoomba Falls
• Narrowneck Plateau Dirt Trail
• Cahill’s Lookout

After yesterday’s extreme driving, today was barely worth mentioning. We used the car, but must have driven 100km or less, to the stage where I didn’t even write it down.

ANVIL LOOKOUT

We started the day fairly early and headed out to Anvil Lookout. We’d heard the Blue Mountains was busy but after a 2km drive down a dirt track we got to the little parking area and wandered up to find there was absolutely no-one here!

There is a viewing platform out to the main valley but we scrambled up a rock behind to get this view. It was staggering. The air was still, a Peregrine Falcon moved at unbelievable speeds ahead and we just sat and stared out into the huge expanse of trees and rockfaces.

Having visited so many amazing lookouts in the rainforests it was hard to believe they could be beaten, but stop one in the Blue Mountains had topped them all. We could easily have sat here all day, it was so peaceful and we had what felt like the entire world to ourselves.

Ahhh, Blue Mountains, what a start!

PULPIT ROCK LOOKOUT

Pulpit Rock Lookout is only a few kilometres from Anvil Rock and took viewing platforms up to another notch! How on earth did they build these!?

After a sharp downhill walk of about 500m we made it to the first viewing platform. The photo above was taken there, with the lower lookouts sitting in front of millions of trees and Grand Canyon-esque valleys.

You can see here why they are called the Blue Mountains, with the haze from the Eucalyptus forests really obvious in the distance.

BLUE MOUNTAINS HERITAGE CENTRE TO GOVETTS LEAP

Next we drove over the the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre and parked up. There are some interesting displays inside about the surrounding area and it is a really useful place to drop in to if you need advice on walks or accommodation in the Blue Mountains.

We did a 2km loop walk from here out to Govetts Leap Lookout. It was an easy, flat walk through the forest.

The view down the valley is spectacular once again. About a third of the way in from the left on the photo above you can see a small outcrop of rock. This is where the Pulpit Rock Lookout is located, quite a feat of engineering to build the viewpoint here!

GREATER BLUE MOUNTAINS DRIVE

We stopped off at the pretty little town of Leura for lunch. We were planning to head on to the Three Sisters next and I spotted a road on Google Maps which hugged the side of the valley. It turns out this is part of the Greater Blue Mountains Drive. We followed it right the way through to Cahill’s Lookout stopping at Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls and Narrowneck Plateau.

THREE SISTERS

Three Sisters is the most famous of the viewpoints in the Blue Mountains. Get a tour from Sydney and you are likely to be heading here followed by a stop off at Scenic World (a place we decided to avoid).

This is the famous view we were here for….

But this is the reality that doesn’t appear in most photos….

The place was absolutely heaving, with coach loads of people turning up every few minutes. It was noisy and crowded, not the experience we’d got used to on our morning in the Blue Mountains. The Three Sisters have become a victim of their own celebrity, with every tour bus now making a stop-off here and rendering Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark a bit of a dissapointment .

I don’t want to sound like too much of a grump but the photo cannot describe the bustle of the place – drones in the air, big busses pulling their brakes, even one random group recording a small music video! It’s certainly not my idea of a mountain experience and we’d been to more enjoyable places already that day.

It also turned out there are better places to view the Three Sisters from just around the corner….

KATOOMBA FALLS

After taking a few photos we quickly left the Three Sisters behind and headed further along the Great Blue Mountains Drive. We stopped at Katoomba Falls and decided to have a walk around.

There was hardly anyone here and which was incredible considering it was only a few kilometres from the chaos of the Three Sisters. Katoomba Falls feels more like the rainforests of the east coast, with narrow damp paths snaking through the trees.

The lookout above is Juliet’s Balcony. Whilst it isn’t as close a view as from the main Three Sisters lookout it is still spectacular and you see more of a silhouette of the mountains against the sky from lower down here. It was also much more peaceful (other than the screeching of cockatoos down in the valley who was setting up a roost for the night).

I would highly recommended this as a stop off for those wanting a slightly different view of the Three Sisters. It’s not much of a walk and gives a completely different view of these famous lumps!

NARROW NECK PLATEAU TRAIL

Narrow Neck is a small plateau of land that juts out into the valley. There is a small dirt road down the middle of it and the standard Blue Mountain awe-inspiring views either side. It’s very popular with mountain bikers as it is shut off about halfway meaning there is a car-free zone to head off in to the wilderness.

We decided to take a quick diversion to the car park and back. It’s a fun little off-road drive though slow down for the corners, because others don’t!

CAHILL’S LOOKOUT

For the final stop of the day we went to Cahill’s Lookout. The light was starting to fade now and it turned the rockfaces an orange colour that only appears at this time of day.

In the background of the photo above you can see Narrow Neck Plateau where we’d driven in the previous step.

Where to stay in the Blue Mountains: If you’re looking for a cheap and cosy hideout in the Blue Mountains we stayed at Maple Cottage in Katoomba . It has full cooking facilities, a gas fire for the cold evenings and a wonderful view over the mountains with a perfect sunrise!

• Sunrise over the Three Sisters
• Three UNESCO sites in one day! (Blue Mountains, Old Government House and Sydney Opera House)
• Morning tea in Parramatta Park followed by a tour of Old Government House
• Watching the sun set over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the Botanic Gardens.

THREE SISTERS SUNRISE

Before heading off to Sydney we decided on an early start to see the Three Sisters at sunrise. Unlike yesterday, the main viewpoint was empty other than one kitted up photographer trying to get the perfect shot.

OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE

We left the Blue Mountains behind and headed towards Sydney but there was an important stop off on the way.

My obsession with UNESCO sites is well documented and today was going to be a personal record – three in one day! The Blue Mountains and Sydney Opera House were easy but around Sydney there a collection of sites which are included as a group UNESCO listing for ‘Australian Convict Sites’ . Hyde Park Barracks in central Sydney was closed for renovation, Cockatoo Island was a boat trip we weren’t going to have the time for, the Old Great North Road was to the north of the city, but Old Government House was only just off of the main road we were taking in to Sydney and would be the third site of the day.

It proved to be a worthwhile stop off.

Parramatta Park (in which Old Government House is located) turned out to be one of those inner-city parks that are designed into the great cities of the world. We’d been expecting just to find the stately home, so this was an added bonus! On the edge of the park is Gatehouse Tearooms , a great stop off for some high-tea in the New South Wales sunshine.

Next, we wandered over the park to Old Government House. For $15 per person, we were taken on a full tour of the residence and its incredible history. This is the oldest surviving public building in Australia, and was occupied by ten of the original Governers of New South Wales, who came over from Britain with the first convicts.

In the now bustling suburbs of Sydney, it’s hard to imagine that this was once farming land with convict-constructed roads carved off into the Blue Mountains in one direction and back to the harbour in another. It’s even stranger to imagine what the local indigenous people (who had occupied this area for 10,000 years) thought of this Georgian stately home with all its European trimmings appearing in the middle of the countryside.

SYDNEY AT SUNSET

After another three quarters of an hour or so drive we dropped off our rental car, checked into the hotel and walked into Sydney heading for the Botanic Gardens so we could watch the sun set over the Harbour Bridge.

Melbourne is an incredible city and one we call home for the moment, but we weren’t really sure what to expect when we first arrived. It doesn’t have the famous buildings that Paris, London or New York do.

There is no such concern in Sydney! The view of the Opera House with Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background must be one of the most iconic images on earth.

Around the Opera House is a fantastic Botanic Gardens, which were simply beautiful this evening and we got to view the perfect clear-skied sunset in amongst the joggers and tourists who were making use of the gardens.

• The walk around Darling Harbour
• Endless views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House
• Taking in a show at the Opera House

For our full day in Sydney we decided to take in as much of the city as possible by foot.

The map above shows you our route and starts near the World Square shopping centre where our hotel was located. In total we covered about 9km.

From World Square we headed west towards the harbour, through some lovely little parks. The whole area around this part of the harbour is pedestrianised which makes a nice change from the busy roads of inner-Sydney. Having left a weather-battered Victoria less than a week ago it was a real pleasure to be walking around in the morning heat of New South Wales.

After a stop off for breakfast we carried on up part the Maritime Museum and over the bridge to the eastern side of the docks. We didn’t stop in to visit, but the Maritime Museum looks fantastic. Many of the boats in the photo below are part of the museum – you can board a cold-war submarine, steam yacht and replica tall boats . Definitely a place to plan some time to visit when we return.

We walked through the east of the docks, where many of the boat tours and ferries depart and past some extensive renovation works up to Barangaroo Reserve. I had spotted this little patch of green on the map and thought it would be a good place to see the Harbour Bridge.

I wasn’t wrong….

The Harbour Bridge dominated the skyline on this part of the walk. There were classic views such as the one above but want you don’t see in most photos is how it appears at the end of every street or over the horizon.

I love the photo above as it illustrates how the Bridge appears in view as you round a corner.

As we reached the end of the peninsula at Dawes Point the sheer enormity of this structure was on show . It is an incredible piece of engineering with space for cars, rail and pedestrians and is just, well, bloody huge!

Heading under the Bridge the views of Sydney Opera house are stunning. Unlike the shots from the Botanic Garden, the sun was behind us and made it easy to capture the gleaming white sails against the blue backdrop of sea and sky.

We grabbed some lunch then walked back to the hotel as we had a big evening ahead of us.

SEEING A SHOW AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

There is no question that the Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic buildings on earth . And whilst it was going to be an expensive experience, we knew we wanted to see a show whilst we were in town.

But there’s seeing a show…

…and seeing A SHOW

They were only showing bloody Star Wars accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra! Sometimes you just get lucky while travelling and this was definitely one of those times!

We got to the Opera House early so we could have a good look around.

Up close the building isn’t quite what I expected.

The sails are actually made up of thousands (more likely millions) of tiles. There is no way I would have identified this photo as being the Opera House! It almost looks like it’s lit from the inside with the powerful spotlights reflected by the white tiles.

I also thought this was an interesting view. I always consider Sydney Opera House to be one big building but it is actually a number of separate units sitting on a little man-made hill. You access the building from underneath, then walk up staircases to get to the unit you need. On the far left for example if a restaurant whilst the other buildings are split out into six different performance spaces.

Anyway, enough of the boring architecture crap.

Who wants to see Darth Vader!?

Thought so….

They’d done a brilliant job of making the venue feel ready for a Star Wars showing . We saw Darth, Stormtroopers, pilots and a full working R2D2. My inner geek was about ready to explode!

The concert itself was unforgettable. Occasionally when travelling, moments happen that lead to an almost out-of-body experience. I was sitting there thinking ‘I’m going to talk about this moment for the rest of my life’. Watching one of my favourite movies, in one of the most iconic buildings on earth on the last trip we were taking before our first baby was going to be born.

This kind of shit doesn’t happen every day.

Lucky is an understatement.

I went home with a warm glow that lasted for days!

DAY 8: Sydney

• Browsing the weekend markets at The Rocks
• Taking a boat trip out to the bay

We had an early afternoon flight booked for the day, so once again got out early.

We had briefly walked through a small part of Sydney called The Rocks the day before and were keen to go back. This was the site of the first European settlements in Australia and has held on to some of its old buildings despite the huge amounts of development that have taken place around it. It feels very much like a small slice of an old Medieval European town, with narrow alleyways and steep, cobbled streets.

I love that it’s right underneath the Harbour Bridge, which varies from popping up above the buildings to at times being right above your head.

At a weekend there is a huge street market selling local crafts and homemade food. It is a really cool place to hang out for a few hours and captures an element of Sydney that you don’t get on the more commercial streets around Westfield.

HARBOUR STORY BOAT TRIP

The final part of our trip was to head out on to the water and see a different view of this city.

We booked with Captain Cook Cruises who run a two hour ‘Harbour Story’ boat trip at 1000 and 1415 every day.

We opted for the premium version at $59 per person ($10 more than the standard), which was worth the money. Not only do you get to board first meaning you can choose the perfect seat, you also get a glass of bubbly and a small afternoon tea. My box contained 4 cakes and a sandwich, which on Sydney prices seemed to be worth much more than the $10 extra! There is also all the tea and coffee and Anzac biscuits you can stomach.

It’s not exactly original advice to be told ‘I highly recommended taking a boat trip’ when in Sydney. Pretty much every blog or travel guide will tell you the same thing. But they have a point! You get a completely different view of the city from the water and start to understand just how many little coves and inlets there are (zoom out on a map of Sydney and you’ll see what I mean!).

Alongside the spectacular views there is also a live commentary which runs through the history of the area but (often more interestingly!) points out which houses belong to the rich and famous! We even saw the house on which the dentist’s surgery in Finding Nemo was based (P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way!).

There is no real-life 42 Wallaby Way, but the building was apparently based on these buildings above.

The Harbour Tour was the perfect way to end our road trip down the Gold Coast. A relaxing couple of hours in the sunshine whilst sipping bubbly and eating cake.

Life doesn’t often get alot better than this.

So I’m signing off this marathon post with a photo of the Australian Naval flag in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

If you plan on completing this route yourself or have any questions then let me know in the comments below….

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AUTHOR – BEN REEVE

Reeves Roam , is a first-hand travel blog. The Reeves have lived in the UK, South Africa and Australia and have travelled extensively in Europe and Southeast Asia.

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Thanks – Ben, Becca and Gracie