travel from brisbane to sydney

Find cheap flights from Brisbane to Sydney from $65

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from brisbane to sydney departing on 13/8. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to sydney.

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Cheap flight deals from Brisbane to Sydney (BNE-SYD)

Flights from brisbane to sydney - travel insights & trends, get data-powered insights and trends into flights from brisbane to sydney to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., what’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from brisbane to sydney, if your flying dates are flexible, you should consider flying to sydney on a tuesday, as we generally find the cheapest rates on that day for this route. on the other hand, sunday is the most expensive day to fly from brisbane to sydney. for your return ticket, we recommend flying on a tuesday and avoiding fridays for the best deals., what is the cheapest month to fly from brisbane to sydney, the cheapest month for flights from brisbane to sydney is august, where tickets cost $187 on average. on the other hand, the most expensive months are december and september, where the average cost of tickets is $278 and $244 respectively., how far in advance should i book a flight from brisbane to sydney, to get a below average price on the flight from brisbane to sydney, you should book around 3 weeks before departure. for the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 76 days before departure., which airlines provide the cheapest flights from brisbane to sydney, in the last 3 days, jetstar offered the best one-way deal for that route, at $65. kayak users also found brisbane to sydney return flights on jetstar from $148 and on virgin australia from $235., which airlines fly most frequently between brisbane and sydney, qantas airways connects brisbane to sydney up to 31 flights per day, followed by virgin australia (16 flights per day), and jetstar (6 flights per day)., which airlines fly direct between brisbane and sydney, there are 4 airlines that fly direct from brisbane to sydney. they are: jetstar, qantas airways, rex and virgin australia. the cheapest price of all airlines flying this route was found with jetstar at $108 for a one-way flight. on average, the best prices for this route can be found at jetstar., how many flights are there between brisbane and sydney per day, each day, there are between 43 and 72 nonstop flights that take off from brisbane and land in sydney, with an average flight time of 1h 35m. the most common departure time is 07:00 and most flights take off in the morning. each week, there are 417 flights. the most frequent day of departure is friday, when 17% of all weekly flights depart. the fewest flights depart on a saturday., which cabin class options are there for flights between brisbane and sydney, there are 4 cabin class options for the route. these are first, business, economy and prem economy. perform a search on kayak to find the latest prices and availability for all cabin fares, which differ across airlines., how long does a flight from brisbane to sydney take, direct flights cover the 1,208 km separating brisbane and sydney in about 0h 35m., what’s the earliest departure time from brisbane to sydney, early birds can take the earliest flight from brisbane at 06:00 and will be landing in sydney at 07:35., what’s the latest departure time from brisbane to sydney, if you prefer to fly at night, the latest flight from brisbane to sydney jets off at 20:45 and lands at 22:20., good to know, when to book flights from brisbane to sydney, faqs for booking flights from brisbane to sydney, can i get direct flights from brisbane airport to sydney airport.

There are many airlines that offer direct flights between Brisbane and Sydney. For example, you could fly with Jetstar, Qantas Airways or Virgin Australia, which all operate a direct service. Due to the number of options available for direct routes, and the short duration of the journey, it’s unlikely that an indirect route will be of benefit to travellers.

Are there hotels I can stay in before my flight?

If you have an early flight from Brisbane Airport or just want to relax ahead of your flight, you can choose to stay in a hotel at the airport. For example, ibis Brisbane Airport hotel is only about a 10min walk away from the terminal.

Are there baby facilities at the airport?

When you are travelling through Brisbane Airport, you won’t have any trouble finding privacy to tend to your child. With various private rooms available that have baby changing facilities, feeding chairs and microwaves, you will be all set to care for your child.

How much is a taxi to Sydney city centre from the airport?

If you’d prefer to skip public transport after your flight from Brisbane to Sydney, you can hire a taxi at the taxi rank located outside of the arrivals area on level 1. A taxi from Sydney Airport to the centre will cost approximately $45-55, and the ride will last between 20-25 minutes depending on traffic.

Does Sydney Airport have an onsite hotel?

Mantra and IBIS Hotels are located just a few minutes' walk from domestic terminals 2 and 3. IBIS, in addition to their standard accommodation, offers a separate IBIS Budget hotel for travellers who are just looking for a place to rest their heads before an early-morning flight. Rates vary, so be sure to book early for the best price.

Does Sydney Airport have children’s play areas?

Sydney Airport, in addition to offering several play areas, offers a kids’ cinema. The kids’ cinema airs TV shows to keep your young ones entertained before your return flight or while you make last-minute arrangements after landing. The kids' cinema is located in T1, and play areas are scattered in several different areas throughout T1.

Which Terminal in Brisbane Airport has the most dining options?

If you’re looking for a bite to eat in Brisbane Airport, you’ll have the most options to choose from in the airport’s domestic terminal. Brisbane Airport’s domestic terminal features over 30 different airport restaurant options, ranging from fast food options to cafes, pubs, local favourites, Asian quick bites and full-service restaurants.

What is the cheapest flight from Brisbane to Sydney?

In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Brisbane to Sydney was $42 for a one-way ticket and $96 for a return.

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Brisbane to Sydney?

The Boeing 737-800 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Brisbane to Sydney flight route.

Which airline alliances offer flights from Brisbane to Sydney?

oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam are the airline alliances operating flights between Brisbane and Sydney, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

On which days can I fly direct from Brisbane to Sydney?

There are direct flights from Brisbane to Sydney on a daily basis.

Which is the best airline for flights from Brisbane to Sydney, Rex or Virgin Australia?

The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Brisbane to Sydney are Rex and Virgin Australia. With an average price for the route of $236 and an overall rating of 9.0, Rex is the most popular choice. Virgin Australia is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $255 and an overall rating of 7.7.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Brisbane to Sydney?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Brisbane to Sydney.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Brisbane to Sydney?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Sydney from Brisbane is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Brisbane to Sydney?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Sydney with an airline and back to Brisbane with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Brisbane to Sydney?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Sydney from Brisbane up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding a cheap flight from Brisbane to Sydney

• Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $126 or less one-way and $205 or less round-trip.
• You can travel to Brisbane Airport (BNE) with ease from the city centre. You can get a taxi for about A$ 50, which will take around 20min and drop you off at the front of the terminal building. You can also get the Airtrain, which costs roughly A$ 10 and takes a similar time to that of the taxi.
• When you land at Sydney Airport (SYD), you can get to the city easily, but you can also get to other parts of the east coast quickly, too. For example, Campbelltown is reachable in about 30min by car, whilst Wollongong is around a 1h drive away.
• When flying the Brisbane to Sydney route, you can relax at a lounge ahead of your flight. For example, Plaza Premium Lounge (where you can get complimentary food and drink) costs about A$ 60. There are also shower facilities should you want to freshen up.
• Flights from Brisbane to Sydney are generally quick, easy and affordable, with most flights leaving from Brisbane Airport and flying non-stop to Sydney Airport. Layovers are rare, but if you’re booking a last-minute flight, you may end up touching down in Melbourne or Canberra before completing the second leg of the journey.
• Getting to Sydney city centre from the airport by public transport takes approximately 13 minutes, making it one of quickest ways to get to your destination. Trains leave every ten minutes from the northern end of T-1 International on the arrivals level. A fare from the airport to the centre will cost around $19 for a single ticket.
• If you need to get some last-minute work done before your return flight, refuel with a snack or simply enjoy some peace and quiet, Sydney Airport offers several different airport lounges to travellers. Access to six out of the seven lounges is available for non-members, with single-entry passes starting at around $50.
• Leaving your car in Brisbane? Brisbane Airport has four main airport parking options: ParkShort, ParkLong, ParkValet and ParkPremium. If you’re going to Sydney for the weekend and heading back to Brisbane, you can take advantage of the weekend long-term parking rate, which starts at around $40 for the entire weekend.
• If you’d rather rent a car than get around Sydney via public transport, you can hire one from one of the several rental car agencies that operate within Sydney Airport. Car hire kiosks are located on the arrivals level of T1 and the companies operating them include Hertz, Redspot, Budget, Avis, Thrifty and Europcar.

Prefer to fly direct from Brisbane to Sydney Kingsford Smith?

Find which airlines fly direct from Brisbane to Kingsford Smith, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Brisbane to Sydney Kingsford Smith

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +18 more

ANA, Air Canada, +19 more

Direct returns

Sydney Kingsford Smith to Brisbane

Top 4 airlines serving from brisbane to sydney.

Enjoyed the comfort of the seats, slight delay to departure time but prompt takeoff and landing.

It asks about entertainment tho it’s not applicable. 10/10 for Rex 👌🏻

Not sure how to answer on the entertainment as there wasn’t any.. Comfort, I wasn’t comfortable as I was on the window side and a morbidly obese man sat in the middle and eased out into my space. I had sciatica so I wasn’t able to move much to get comfortable. Food wise I have a wheat allergy and asked if there was a gluten free option and was given a Byron bay cookie which was lovely tho it wasn’t wheat free. Not to worry. I wasn’t expecting there to be any appropriate snacks for me anyhow. The staff were very generous with the snacks and their concern for the passengers. The staff were amazing tho. Truly amazing ! One of the staff must have noticed my discomfort and helped me out to stand in the back of the plane to stretch which I really appreciated. I would fly with REX again without hesitation. Thank you very much. It was my first flight with you and I look forward to my return flight home on Tuesday. Best wishes to your company 👌🏻

All good, was a one hour flight so no food or entertainment which was expected

Rex is an underrated airline. Its my first time flying them and they were fantastic. the only things that annoyed me about my flight were things other passengers did so it was nothing i or REX could change

Really enjoyed flying with Rex the boarding and booking baggage on was easier than most. I will beat using Rex next time.

On time and a quick flight and staff vert good

This time is good . Don’t cancel flight with out early notice .

X class seats in row 3 with the new configuration are very poor in fact I feel 3B and 3E should no longer be considered as X class seat as there is no forward seat pocket available to these seats and greatly reduced leg room due the intrusion of the business class armrests/table module

It was pretty good. Everyone friendly. Like all airlines, the draconian limitations on baggage and weight and not giving even a free soda kind of drags down the experience a bit.

Estheticly the plane looks great, although the seats are way too upright. If the seats were just slightly more reclined then the comfort level would increase tenfold. I had the stiffest neck after just a short flight due to this. A nap was almost out of the question.

Flight was cancelled due to a mechanical fault - Virgin rebooked me on a flight 6 hours later so I cancelled and flew with another carrier

There is no not applicable button to tick. Due to turbulence there was no food/drink offered. That’s expected and was fine 👌🏻

Plane was cancelled apparently no seat available on any flight so late in the day I would have missed my connecting flight

The flight was canceled. And I had to book on Jetstar to get home

Easy process and no delays. Economy-X seats could do with some lumbar support and the padding in the seat pan was compressed so a little uncomfortable, but LOVE the legroom.

Flight was cancelled 3 hours prior to departure and rebooked for 10 hours later. Had to cancel rebooked flight and was lucky enough that work could book with QANTAS around the same time.

The crew were amazing - A great job. They made me feel special and valued.

I really appreciated the fact that when I checked my bags at the Quantas counter after arriving from an international flight an hour early, the agent noticed I had a very long layover. He then found an earlier flight that allowed me to get to Cairns several hours earlier than I planned. That was amazing because I had already traveled over 20 hours and wasn’t looking forward to such a long layover. It allowed me to see my daughter and grandchildren much earlier (it had been two years since I visited last).

The flight met my expectations. It left and landed on time

My bag didn’t make it but otherwise it was a great experience.

Experience was great. My only advice is to have a pasta dish on the menu. Otherwise everything was excellent.

Flights delayed multiple times, travellers requests for updates ignored. Qantas continues to desatisfy travelling basics.

I find the food in business class is just old and boring, it was once good but now just trying to hard to be "on Trend" with plant based for the minority of people, while those people can order a special meal anyway, while the majority have to suffer and loose a choice. only 2 choices for entree one boring plant based and 4 for main which two were seafood, one was plant based and one meat dish.

Packed flight. Urged to check carry-on before boarding only to discover numerous empty overhead bins after boarding. Challenging entertainment screen. After almost 20 minutes to arrive at baggage claim, waited over 30 mins before luggage was loaded on baggage claim carousel.

First flight on Quantas. High marks all around. Plus it appears as if the have a comparatively new flight. Excellent airline!

Flight LA to Sydney was first moved earlier by 2 hrs from 10:25 pm to 8:25pm roughly a week before departure. Then on actual departure date, it was delayed 2x, and needed up leaving close to 10 pm. Then entertainment for the whole flight wasn’t working for most of the seats including ours. The baby crib at the middle isle was being taped to the wall to keep it tacked in using a packing tape while passengers were walking by looking for their seats. Not projecting good confidence. After a few minutes after take off the whole crib fell off. Good the people seating next to it wast hit or got scared. At arrival at Sydney, crew handed the customs forms as we were getting out of the plane. So passengers had to scramble to find a place to fill up the forms along the corridor going to immigration. So no one is available to help from Qantas to fill up the entry forms. Not a very good experience for a flagship carrier.

Note that food has to be purchased in flight. No free food. And no entertainment in flight. So I’ve treated these two items as okay which, in this case, means neutral/not applicable.

My Dad needed assistance to board the plane. The Jetstar staff were excellent with him and made the experience a lot easier😁

No food taken so can't rate also no entertainment so can't rate.

Boarding was easy and unstressful, though the early "final call" was a bit off-putting. The crew were pleasant, and the seats were comfortable. The prices for food and drink were reasonable, apart from tea and coffee, where simple percolated coffee was charged at espresso prices. Deboarding was OK, though some Jetstar passengers appear to have a bad habit of pushing forward from their assigned rows, making it more difficult to get out for passengers that have paid a premium to sit up-front. Jetstar might want to look to address this to stop it from spreading.

I got to the airport earlier than I expected, and they let me change to an earlier flight with no trouble.

The price difference/saving isn't sufficient to compensate the experience difference, don't recommend unless flight is under 3 hours. Huge queues for check in and the priority lane of other ailines blocked checked in Jetstar passengers from proceeding through to screening. Gate change to a "dungeon gate" that didn't have toilets in the vicinity. 45minute delay in boarding, no updates or explaination, let alone apology for any inconvenience. 1 scanner working for a full fight to board, no coordination. Loaded on to crowded buses to get on the plane in the middle of the tarmac, up stairs with no explaination. 4 bus trips. No system for boarding in sections. Over an hour late departing. Nothing complimentary, not even water or in-flight music. Pay wave not available and no cash sales. Staff onboard were friendly and professional.

It was a super crowded time to travel out of Melbourne, but the flight was OK

Worst experience ever flying Melbourne to Phuket. 5 hours delayed! Didn’t land till 1am in the morning. Staff were rude and unhelpful

Plane was late leaving darwin so we didn’t get home till 1130pm 2nd time in a fortnight that has happened. Hard when you have to work the next day

It may have been a result of earlier issues with a previous plane, causing delays, but the staff were not nearly as smiley as the previous Jetstar flight I was on. Also, they started boarding before the plane was empty...so we moved from one line into another line. They should have just waited until the plane was empty to avoid waiting in two lines.

Book cheap flights from Brisbane to Sydney

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Cheap flights from Brisbane to Sydney

Good to know, when is the cheapest time to fly, popular airports near brisbane.

• Brisbane Airport (BNE) Brisbane 21 min 13 km
• Gold Coast Airport (OOL) Gold Coast 1 hr 15 min 90 km
• Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) Sunshine Coast Regional 1 hr 25 min 96 km
• Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) Ballina 2 hr 6 min 160 km

Popular airports near Sydney

• Sydney Airport (SYD) Sydney 13 min 9 km
• Canberra Airport (CBR) Canberra 3 hr 243 km
• Newcastle Airport (NTL) Newcastle 2 hr 7 min 132 km
• Shellharbour Airport (WOL) Wollongong 1 hr 31 min 86 km

Frequently asked questions about flying from Brisbane to Sydney

Search more flights, popular trips from brisbane.

These suggestions are based on the cheapest fares to popular destinations in the next six months.

Prices include required taxes + fees for 1 adult. Optional charges and bag fees may apply.

• Perth RUB 25,433 May 16 — May 20 Nonstop 5 hr 35 min Jetstar
• Los Angeles RUB 81,926 May 10 — May 12 1 stop 18 hr 20 min Fiji Airways
• Sydney RUB 8,882 Jun 22 — Jun 23 Nonstop 1 hr 30 min Jetstar
• Singapore RUB 39,579 May 18 — May 20 1 stop 13 hr Jetstar

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How to get from Brisbane to Sydney

Brisbane to sydney trip overview.

Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.

Travel Schedule Options from Brisbane to Sydney

Taking a bus from brisbane to sydney.

Fastest bus: 14h

Cheapest bus: $49

The fastest: 14h

The cheapest: $49

The available amenities for this trip are currently unavailable. For specific questions, please contact our customer service, available 24/7.

The fastest: 14h 12m

The cheapest: $79

POSSIBLE AMENITIES :

The fastest: 1h 30m

The cheapest: $52

About the ride from Brisbane to Sydney

Brisbane to sydney route information.

The distance between Brisbane and Sydney is 459 miles, or approximately 734 kilometers.

There are 3 ways to get from Brisbane to Sydney, including train,flight,bus .

The earliest departure leaves at 20:00 and has a duration of 1 hour 35 minutes.

The fastest way to travel is by flight, which takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Depending on how you choose to travel, the following amenities are available: .

Brisbane to Sydney by train

• Starting Price: $78
• 2 departures a day, or 14 departures a week

There are 3 travel classes for this journey, including: Economy, First Class and Standard.

Each train ticket offers an individual seat with basic passenger necessities. Conditions and amenities vary by provider. For more detailed information and availability see all options.

Brisbane to Sydney by flight

• Starting Price: $52
• 71 departures a day, or 497 departures a week

The only travel class available is Economy.

Each flight ticket offers an individual seat with basic passenger necessities. Conditions and amenities vary by provider. For more detailed information and availability see all options.

Brisbane to Sydney by bus

• Starting Price: $49
• 20 departures a day, or 140 departures a week

There are 4 travel classes for this journey, including: Advantage, Early Bird, Premium Class and Flexible Class.

Each bus ticket offers an individual seat with basic passenger necessities. Conditions and amenities vary by provider. For more detailed information and availability see all options.

Companies Operating from Brisbane to Sydney

Average time

Average price

1h 30m - 1h 40m

Popular stations and stops in Brisbane and Sydney

Departure stations in brisbane.

Brisbane Roma Street

Arrival stations in Sydney

Sydney Central Station

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The ultimate Brisbane to Sydney road trip

Sally Scott

Travel Journalist

30 October 2023

Find out where to stop, stay and play along the Pacific Highway.

A Brisbane to Sydney drive (or the reverse) is a rite of passage in Australia. While many tread the well-worn path with just a brief pit stop in Coffs Harbour , it’s worth detouring off the highway to explore the many coastal towns dotted along the way.

Take two days to a week meandering to enjoy those nearby sights — it’s an opportunity to experience more of this beautiful country like a local.

Brisbane to Ballina: 2.5 hours drive

You can’t leave the buzz of Brisbane without a hearty feed to set you up for the day. If you’re looking for recommendations, head to West End for a haven of cafes all competing for the best brunch award.

The Gunshop Cafe is particularly renowned for its breakfast fare, including brekky burgers, coconut and passion fruit French toast, and fried chicken with waffles and poached eggs.

Head to the Gunshop Cafe for breakfast and smoothies.

Once you’re on the road heading towards Ballina, stop halfway in Burleigh Heads for a cheeky beach trip and a cold one at Burleigh Pavillion before you leave the sunshine feeling in Queensland .

Bypass bustling Byron Bay and head for the laid-back beach vibes of Ballina on the North Coast of New South Wales and its stretch of stunning beaches.

A serene spot to sip refreshing cocktails at Ballina beach. (Image: Burleigh Pavillion)

Ballina highlights

One of the cutest spots to eat and drink here is The Belle General . With a boho feel, great coffee, and a nourishing menu, it’s a great place to start your day.

Blessed with 25km of cycle paths, it’d be a shame not to get out and enjoy them. Hire a bike and enjoy the scenery along the banks of Richmond River.

Or how about heading to a crashing waterfall? Just 20-minutes away is Killen Falls offering a viewing platform to see the magnificence up close.

The enchanting Killen Falls is situated at the heart of a rainforest. (Image: Destination NSW)

If it’s raining, make your way to Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum , and when you’re ready for dinner, order a bowl of Ballina prawns at Riva Bar & Grill . Don’t forget to pass the Big Prawn on your way out, one of Australia’s iconic big things.

Accommodation tip: Ballina Palms Boutique Motel – your own private oasis in the heart of Ballina.

Stay in this cosy boutique motel on your visit to Ballina.

Ballina to Yamba: 1.5 hours drive

Situated at the mouth of the Clarence River, you won’t regret a brief stop at the beach town of Yamba .

Go on an exhilarating road trip to the coastal town of Yamba. (Image: Destination NSW)

Yamba highlights

Grab a cuppa at Bean Scene Cafe Yamba which uses beans from local North Coast roaster, Eleganza Vietato.

Soak up the friendly village vibe and stretch your legs with some leisurely browsing along Yamba’s main street where you’ll find a strong selection of surf shops, homewares, and fashion stores, including Shack Yamba – a lifestyle store filled with coastal goodies.

Al fresco dining at the Bean Scene Cafe.

Accommodation tip: Yamba Beach Motel – overlooks Main Beach and it’s close to town.

Stop by the Yamba Beach Motel to rest and rejuvenate.

Yamba to Port Macquarie: 3 hours drive

This former convict settlement of Port Macquarie has shaken off the shackles to become one of Australia’s most popular holiday towns.

Port Macquarie highlights

You’re spoilt for choice with top spots for breakfast with a side of ocean views. Start the day with coffee at Salty Crew Kiosk right on the shores of Town Beach or Sandbox Port Macquarie for beachside brunching overlooking Flynn’s Beach.

Stretch your legs with a walk along the iconic Port Macquarie beach break wall or take a dip at one of the many inviting beaches along the coast.

Have a cold brew right on the scenic Town Beach. (Image: Salty Crew Kiosk)

As you wander the city, keep an eye out for the interesting koala sculptures dotted around town. These appealing fibreglass statues have been hand painted by selected artists and are a hit with kids.

The best spot in town for seafood is Bills Fishhouse & Bar , with a carefully curated sea-to-plate selection featuring local oysters, prawns, whole fish, and seafood platters to share. With breezy interiors and a bustling bar bringing the vacation vibes, it’s a casual and contemporary restaurant you’ll want to seek out.

If you’ve got time for a detour, a winery might not be the most obvious stop on a road trip, but Cassegrain Wines has created a welcoming oasis along the M1 motorway.

Premium drops at Cassegrain Wines.

Kids and dogs can run freely on the grass, refuel with lunch at the on-site restaurant, take a winery tour and grab a bottle of vino to enjoy at your next destination.

Accommodation tip: Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel – an apartment-style hotel in the centre of town within an easy walk to shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Linger in a little longer for pictureque views at Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel.

If you’re lingering longer, check out these 14 places to eat and drink in Port Macquarie .

Port Macquarie to Newcastle: 3 hours drive

The secret’s out, the harbour city of Newcastle is enjoying an almighty revival and there’s no shortage of places to eat, drink, shop, and stay in the city.

Newcastle highlights

Arrive hungry in Newcastle and head straight to HuBro Cafe to discover the smoothest cold brew coffee you’ll ever find, or Wil & Sons is always buzzing, as its breakfast is one of the best.

Once you’ve satisfied your appetite, Newcastle is all about the beaches and a relaxed lifestyle, so take some time to chill out at Newcastle Beach, Bar Beach, or Merewether Beach for sun-soaked downtime.

Try the signature handcrafted brew at the Hubro Cafe.

If you’re an art lover, pop into one of the many independent galleries and keep an eye out for street art at every turn.

Or if history is more your pop quiz genre, explore the past of Newcastle, as well as the unique temporary exhibits at the Newcastle Museum .

Unveil the harbour city’s glorious past at the Newcastle Museum. (Image: Destination NSW)

For a hit of entertainment before you tackle the final hurdle, take in a show at the Civic Theatre, with everything from dance and music, to theatre and comedy.

Accommodation tip: The Lucky Hotel – a luxury stay without the price tag.

The Lucky Hotel is a perfect spot to chill and unwind.

Newcastle to Sydney: 2 hours drive

You’re almost there – one last push and you’ll arrive in Australia’s biggest city: Sydney! Organise your arrival time so that you don’t clash with rush hour as the traffic is often busy.

Sydney highlights

Our ultimate guide to Sydney will tell you everything you need to know but if we can drop you off with three recommendations on what to do when you get there outside of the usual contenders, they are:

• Go for a well-deserved drink at a historic pub in The Rocks.
• Enjoy your new freedom with a walk around Circular Quay and soak in the hive of activity surrounding you.
• Head to the top of the Sydney Tower Eye , the city’s tallest structure. It’s the ultimate 360° viewpoint to find your bearings, and if you arrive just before sunset, you get to view the world below you in both daylight and at night.

Be charmed by Sydney’s spectacular city skyline. (Image: Destination NSW)

Looking for more drive inspiration? Take a peek at our guide to Australia’s best road trips .

Sally Scott is a seasoned travel writer based on Bundjalung County (Northern Rivers) who knows a thing or two about luxe holidays. Whether it's road tripping regional Australia or jetting off on an overseas sojourn, Sally seeks out unique experiences to find the most fabulous places to eat, sip and stay to share with readers.

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Bus from Brisbane to Sydney

Compare all timetables for the bus from brisbane to sydney, cheapest bus trips today, cheapest bus trips tomorrow, cheapest bus trips thursday, cheapest bus trips friday, cheapest bus trips saturday, cheapest bus trips sunday, cheapest bus trips monday, frequency of bus connections between brisbane and sydney, facts about the bus from brisbane to sydney.

Compare all providers like Greyhound Australia that travel 37 times every day by bus from Brisbane to Sydney in one click! Book your bus ticket from Brisbane to Sydney starting from $51!

Cheapest bus connections from Brisbane to Sydney

Every day, 37 buses from 1 bus companies leave Brisbane for Sydney: in the table below, you will find the cheapest prices for a bus ticket for this route, starting from 04/16/2024 and for the following days.

The cheapest time to travel from Brisbane to Sydney

How to save money travelling from brisbane to sydney.

Book the ticket from Brisbane to Sydney in advance! The earlier you book, the cheaper usually the price is. Also, you will be sure to have a place on the bus from Brisbane to Sydney, compared instead if you buy it at the last moment, or directly at the station.

Beloved bus companies from Brisbane to Sydney

Greyhound australia from brisbane to sydney.

Here you will find the key facts about the Greyhound Australia bus route Brisbane to Sydney:

All bus stations and stops in Brisbane and Sydney

In the map below, you can see where to find all bus stations in Brisbane and Sydney.

Service and Comfort on the bus from Brisbane to Sydney

Faqs about the brisbane to sydney bus, how much does a brisbane sydney bus trip cost, how much could i save by comparing buses from brisbane to sydney, on average, how many connections are available from brisbane to sydney each day, how long does a bus journey from brisbane to sydney take, what time is the first bus from brisbane to sydney, what time is the last bus from brisbane to sydney, which bus companies operate the brisbane sydney route, is there a direct bus between brisbane and sydney, what can i take with me on the brisbane to sydney bus route, what equipment is available for the brisbane sydney bus route, available seat classes which are offered on the bus route brisbane to sydney.

The cheapest option available for your ticket, it usually comes with reclinable seats and AC.

More bus routes from Brisbane and Sydney

• Bus Routes from Brisbane
• Brisbane to Albury
• Brisbane to Cairns
• Brisbane to Coffs Harbour
• Brisbane to Hervey Bay
• Brisbane to Newcastle, NSW
• Bus Routes from Sydney
• Sydney to Albury
• Sydney to Bundaberg
• Sydney to Coffs Harbour
• Sydney to Geraldton
• Sydney to Townsville
• Brisbane to Brisbane Airport
• Brisbane to Gold Coast Airport
• Sydney to Adelaide Airport
• Sydney to Brisbane Airport
• Sydney to Canberra Airport

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Find cheap flights from Brisbane to Sydney from £82

This is the cheapest return flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from brisbane to sydney departing on 24/5. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to sydney.

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Flights from brisbane to sydney - travel insights & trends, get data-powered insights and trends into flights from brisbane to sydney to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., what’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from brisbane to sydney, for brisbane to sydney, thursday is the cheapest day to fly on average and sunday is the most expensive. flying from sydney back to brisbane, the best deals are generally found on tuesday, with wednesday being the most expensive., what is the cheapest month to fly from brisbane to sydney, the cheapest month for flights from brisbane to sydney is august, where tickets cost £97 on average. on the other hand, the most expensive months are december and september, where the average cost of tickets is £144 and £127 respectively., how far in advance should i book a flight from brisbane to sydney, to get a below average price on the flight from brisbane to sydney, you should book around 3 weeks before departure. for the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 76 days before departure., which airlines provide the cheapest flights from brisbane to sydney, in the last 72 hours, the cheapest one-way ticket from brisbane to sydney found on kayak was with qantas airways for £181. jetstar proposed a return connection from £82 and virgin australia from £122., which airlines fly most frequently between brisbane and sydney, brisbane and sydney are connected by different airlines. the airlines that fly that route the most regularly are qantas airways (31 flights per day), virgin australia (16 flights per day), and jetstar (6 flights per day)., which airlines fly direct between brisbane and sydney, there are 4 airlines that fly direct from brisbane to sydney. they are: jetstar, qantas airways, rex and virgin australia. the cheapest price of all airlines flying this route was found with jetstar at £40 for a one-way flight. on average, the best prices for this route can be found at jetstar., how many flights are there between brisbane and sydney per day, each day, there are between 43 and 72 nonstop flights that take off from brisbane and land in sydney, with an average flight time of 1h 35m. the most common departure time is 07:00 and most flights take off in the morning. each week, there are 417 flights. the most frequent day of departure is friday, when 17% of all weekly flights depart. the fewest flights depart on a saturday., which cabin class options are there for flights between brisbane and sydney, there are 3 cabin class options for the route. these are business, economy and prem economy. perform a search on kayak to find the latest prices and availability for all cabin fares, which differ across airlines., how long does a flight from brisbane to sydney take, the duration of a direct flight to sydney from brisbane is typically 0h 35m. the journey crosses a distance of 466 miles., what’s the earliest departure time from brisbane to sydney, early birds can take the earliest flight from brisbane at 06:00 and will be landing in sydney at 07:35., what’s the latest departure time from brisbane to sydney, if you prefer to fly at night, the latest flight from brisbane to sydney jets off at 20:45 and lands at 22:20., good to know - cheap tickets from brisbane to sydney, when to book flights from brisbane to sydney, faqs for booking flights from brisbane to sydney, can i get direct flights from brisbane airport to sydney airport.

There are many airlines that offer direct flights between Brisbane and Sydney. For example, you could fly with Jetstar, Qantas Airways or Virgin Australia, which all operate a direct service. Due to the number of options available for direct routes, and the short duration of the journey, it’s unlikely that an indirect route will be of benefit to travellers.

Are there hotels I can stay in before my flight?

If you have an early flight from Brisbane Airport or just want to relax ahead of your flight, you can choose to stay in a hotel at the airport. For example, ibis Brisbane Airport hotel is only about a 10min walk away from the terminal.

Are there baby facilities at the airport?

When you are travelling through Brisbane Airport, you won’t have any trouble finding privacy to tend to your child. With various private rooms available that have baby changing facilities, feeding chairs and microwaves, you will be all set to care for your child.

What is the cheapest flight from Brisbane to Sydney?

In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Brisbane to Sydney was £226 for a one-way ticket and £102 for a return.

Which airports will I be using when flying from Brisbane to Sydney?

Brisbane and Sydney are both served by 1 main airport. You will leave Brisbane from Brisbane and will be arriving at Sydney Kingsford Smith.

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Brisbane to Sydney?

The Boeing 737-800 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Brisbane to Sydney flight route.

Which airline alliances offer flights from Brisbane to Sydney?

oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam are the airline alliances operating flights between Brisbane and Sydney, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

On which days can I fly direct from Brisbane to Sydney?

There are direct flights from Brisbane to Sydney on a daily basis.

Which is the best airline for flights from Brisbane to Sydney, Rex or Virgin Australia?

The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Brisbane to Sydney are Rex and Virgin Australia. With an average price for the route of £111 and an overall rating of 9.0, Rex is the most popular choice. Virgin Australia is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of £124 and an overall rating of 7.7.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Brisbane to Sydney?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Brisbane to Sydney.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Brisbane to Sydney?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Sydney from Brisbane is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Brisbane to Sydney?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Sydney with an airline and back to Brisbane with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Brisbane to Sydney?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Sydney from Brisbane up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding a cheap flight from Brisbane to Sydney

• Looking for a cheap flight from Brisbane to Sydney? 25% of our users found flights on this route for £68 or less one-way and £87 or less round-trip.
• You can travel to Brisbane Airport (BNE) with ease from the city centre. You can get a taxi for about A$ 50, which will take around 20min and drop you off at the front of the terminal building. You can also get the Airtrain, which costs roughly A$ 10 and takes a similar time to that of the taxi.
• When you land at Sydney Airport (SYD), you can get to the city easily, but you can also get to other parts of the east coast quickly, too. For example, Campbelltown is reachable in about 30min by car, whilst Wollongong is around a 1h drive away.
• When flying the Brisbane to Sydney route, you can relax at a lounge ahead of your flight. For example, Plaza Premium Lounge (where you can get complimentary food and drink) costs about A$ 60. There are also shower facilities should you want to freshen up.

Prefer to fly direct from Brisbane to Sydney?

Find which airlines fly direct from Brisbane to Kingsford Smith, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Brisbane to Sydney Kingsford Smith

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +18 more

ANA, Air Canada, +19 more

Direct returns

Sydney Kingsford Smith to Brisbane

Top 3 airlines serving from brisbane to sydney.

Enjoyed the comfort of the seats, slight delay to departure time but prompt takeoff and landing.

It asks about entertainment tho it’s not applicable. 10/10 for Rex 👌🏻

Not sure how to answer on the entertainment as there wasn’t any.. Comfort, I wasn’t comfortable as I was on the window side and a morbidly obese man sat in the middle and eased out into my space. I had sciatica so I wasn’t able to move much to get comfortable. Food wise I have a wheat allergy and asked if there was a gluten free option and was given a Byron bay cookie which was lovely tho it wasn’t wheat free. Not to worry. I wasn’t expecting there to be any appropriate snacks for me anyhow. The staff were very generous with the snacks and their concern for the passengers. The staff were amazing tho. Truly amazing ! One of the staff must have noticed my discomfort and helped me out to stand in the back of the plane to stretch which I really appreciated. I would fly with REX again without hesitation. Thank you very much. It was my first flight with you and I look forward to my return flight home on Tuesday. Best wishes to your company 👌🏻

All good, was a one hour flight so no food or entertainment which was expected

Rex is an underrated airline. Its my first time flying them and they were fantastic. the only things that annoyed me about my flight were things other passengers did so it was nothing i or REX could change

Really enjoyed flying with Rex the boarding and booking baggage on was easier than most. I will beat using Rex next time.

On time and a quick flight and staff vert good

This time is good . Don’t cancel flight with out early notice .

X class seats in row 3 with the new configuration are very poor in fact I feel 3B and 3E should no longer be considered as X class seat as there is no forward seat pocket available to these seats and greatly reduced leg room due the intrusion of the business class armrests/table module

It was pretty good. Everyone friendly. Like all airlines, the draconian limitations on baggage and weight and not giving even a free soda kind of drags down the experience a bit.

Estheticly the plane looks great, although the seats are way too upright. If the seats were just slightly more reclined then the comfort level would increase tenfold. I had the stiffest neck after just a short flight due to this. A nap was almost out of the question.

Flight was cancelled due to a mechanical fault - Virgin rebooked me on a flight 6 hours later so I cancelled and flew with another carrier

There is no not applicable button to tick. Due to turbulence there was no food/drink offered. That’s expected and was fine 👌🏻

Plane was cancelled apparently no seat available on any flight so late in the day I would have missed my connecting flight

The flight was canceled. And I had to book on Jetstar to get home

Easy process and no delays. Economy-X seats could do with some lumbar support and the padding in the seat pan was compressed so a little uncomfortable, but LOVE the legroom.

Flight was cancelled 3 hours prior to departure and rebooked for 10 hours later. Had to cancel rebooked flight and was lucky enough that work could book with QANTAS around the same time.

Note that food has to be purchased in flight. No free food. And no entertainment in flight. So I’ve treated these two items as okay which, in this case, means neutral/not applicable.

My Dad needed assistance to board the plane. The Jetstar staff were excellent with him and made the experience a lot easier😁

No food taken so can't rate also no entertainment so can't rate.

Boarding was easy and unstressful, though the early "final call" was a bit off-putting. The crew were pleasant, and the seats were comfortable. The prices for food and drink were reasonable, apart from tea and coffee, where simple percolated coffee was charged at espresso prices. Deboarding was OK, though some Jetstar passengers appear to have a bad habit of pushing forward from their assigned rows, making it more difficult to get out for passengers that have paid a premium to sit up-front. Jetstar might want to look to address this to stop it from spreading.

I got to the airport earlier than I expected, and they let me change to an earlier flight with no trouble.

The price difference/saving isn't sufficient to compensate the experience difference, don't recommend unless flight is under 3 hours. Huge queues for check in and the priority lane of other ailines blocked checked in Jetstar passengers from proceeding through to screening. Gate change to a "dungeon gate" that didn't have toilets in the vicinity. 45minute delay in boarding, no updates or explaination, let alone apology for any inconvenience. 1 scanner working for a full fight to board, no coordination. Loaded on to crowded buses to get on the plane in the middle of the tarmac, up stairs with no explaination. 4 bus trips. No system for boarding in sections. Over an hour late departing. Nothing complimentary, not even water or in-flight music. Pay wave not available and no cash sales. Staff onboard were friendly and professional.

It was a super crowded time to travel out of Melbourne, but the flight was OK

Worst experience ever flying Melbourne to Phuket. 5 hours delayed! Didn’t land till 1am in the morning. Staff were rude and unhelpful

Plane was late leaving darwin so we didn’t get home till 1130pm 2nd time in a fortnight that has happened. Hard when you have to work the next day

It may have been a result of earlier issues with a previous plane, causing delays, but the staff were not nearly as smiley as the previous Jetstar flight I was on. Also, they started boarding before the plane was empty...so we moved from one line into another line. They should have just waited until the plane was empty to avoid waiting in two lines.

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Brisbane To Sydney: The Complete Road Trip Itinerary

The road trip from Brisbane to Sydney is one of Australia's most exciting urban journeys, with an itinerary full of unique stops.

Australia is a huge, diverse country with plenty to explore. So where does an intrepid traveler begin? And what’s the best way to see as much of this lovely place as possible?

The answer is a road trip, of course! A drive along Australia’s lovely North Coast shores has plenty of eclectic scenery; lovely landscapes; and fun things to see and do to give any visitor to the land down under a trip to remember.

Note: The following is a road trip itinerary from Brisbane to Sydney and is an estimated 12 hours total driving time. The best part of a road trip is being able to customize your adventure, so feel free to mix it up.

RELATED:  How To Prepare For A Trip To Australia (And Tips To Avoid Rookie Mistakes)

Beach Vibes Galore

Begin the road trip in Brisbane, one of Australia’s oldest cities. There’s plenty to do in this Queensland city, so spend the morning exploring before getting on the road.

Things To Do In Brisbane

• Take a guided cruise and enjoy the lovely Brisbane River
• Stop in at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, one of the world’s top-rated zoos and the largest koala sanctuary
• Stroll through the parklands in South Bank and stop for a bite to eat before hitting the road. Denim Co. is a great place to grab a cup of coffee and a light lunch—be sure to try one of their delish Turkish toasties or a sweet pastry to go
• Take a walk through the Epicurious Garden and sample the edible plant life
• Climb the Story Bridge for an amazing panoramic view

Optional Stop: Byron Bay

Byron Bay is an optional detour for those with extra time to explore on the way to the next stop (Ballina). Known for its bustling boho vibes, it’s a popular tourist destination. Be sure to visit the secluded Broken Head Beach ; check out The Farm , a busy farm community with shops and eateries; and check out Crystal Castle (a great spot for kids!)

Bound For Ballina

Get on the road by mid-afternoon and arrive in the lovely Ballina. Only 2 1/2 hours from Brisbane, this charming beach town is a relaxing retreat for those who want to avoid more touristy spots. Relax and spend the day on one of the many beaches, and stay over to soak up the vibes before getting back on the road.

Things To Do/Where To Stay In Ballina

• Check out Seven Mile Beach, known for its surfing , swimming, fishing, walking trails, and even snorkeling
• Take a tour for some fab views of the coastline—and to scope the wildlife such as dolphins, whales, and turtles
• Take a dip in Lake Ainsworth, a freshwater lagoon known for its restorative properties
• Have a bite at Shelter in nearby Lennox Head, and enjoy their sustainable, seasonal menu that’s a top spot for seafood. Be sure to try the oysters!
• Bunk at the Ballina Palms Boutique Motel for a good night’s sleep. Rates start at $97/night

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On The Road To Yamba

Wake up early and catch the sunrise from the Pat Morton Lookout , then grab an avocado toast and a smoothie at the Belle General before heading back on the road, or spend the day in Ballina. Either way, the next stop is Yamba, a short 1 1/2 hours away.

Things To Do In Yamba

A cool coastal village with a friendly feel, Yamba is definitely worth a stop, if only for a couple of hours.

• Check out Yamba’s main street and do a bit of shopping
• Have a picnic lunch with a takeout salad or sandwich from Sandbar Yamba; the Riviera salad is delish
• Head to Whiting Beach, a perfect spot to dip your toes, or rent a kayak
• Check out the Clarence River Lighthouse

Optional Stop: Minnie Water

A quiet place to stop on the way to the next destination (Port Macquarie). Stroll on the Rocky Point Walk to stretch out and grab a cup of joe from the Wooli Wooli cafe . Visitors in spring and summer will also love the area’s beautiful wildflowers.

The Next Stop: Port Macquarie

This cool coastal town is the site of a former convict settlement and is definitely worth a stop because of its beautiful beaches, eclectic downtown, and great restaurant scene.

Things To Do/Where To Stay In Port Macquarie

• Check out the koala sculptures on the Hello Koalas Trail while exploring the town
• Grab a bottle of wine to enjoy later at Cassegrain Wines
• Lovely Lighthouse Beach and its white-sand beaches offer a view of Tacking Point Lighthouse; while Shelly Beach is a great spot for nature lovers with its rainforest border
• Visit Limeburners Creek National Park to see everything from ospreys to dolphins
• Stay the night at the Macquarie Waters Boutique Apartment Hotel, a great spot within walking distance of area attractions. Rates start at $180/night

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Optional Stop: Port Stevens

Port Stevens is just 30 minutes from Port Macquarie, so stop in and climb Mount Tomaree for some great views of the area, or check out Tomaree National Park .

A Newcastle Adventure

Get an early start to make the almost 3-hour drive to Newcastle. Visitors love the relaxed vibes in this bustling burg that has quickly become a hip tourist destination.

Things To Do In Newcastle

• Check out Fort Scratchley for some great panoramic views with a side of history. A great free activity for the entire family
• Check out the wildlife at Blackbutt Reserve, visitors can even feed the emus!
• Rent a bike and explore Glenrock State Conservation Area with its miles of biking trails
• Take a harbor cruise to see all the iconic Newcastle landmarks
• Have a bite along Darby Street—known for its fab food. The Autumn Rooms is a great spot for a bite—you can even schedule high tea including finger sandwiches, scones, and more. Prices start at $65/person

On To Sydney

Stay the night in Newcastle before heading back on the road to the final stop, Sydney—just 2 1/2 short hours away. This trip takes travelers through other Central Coast towns , so feel free to stop along the way. Recharge in Sydney at Ingenia Sydney Hills , a great place to camp and relax before heading back to the beach.

A great way to explore Australia is by car, and a road trip from Brisbane to Sydney has plenty of stops along the way to soak up the best of the North Coast beaches. From bustling burgs to charming coastal towns with laidback vibes —this fun adventure is the perfect way to see Australia.

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Get a 10% discount when you book online, or up to 20% discount when you book 5 or more days in advance. Conditions apply.

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Book a NSW TrainLink train from Sydney to Brisbane

NSW TrainLink services connect two of the largest cities in Australia. Trains depart daily and offer a range of seating options to suit every budget. 

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• Advance booking is recommended to secure your seats and ensure availability.

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The best ways to save on train fares from Sydney to Brisbane: 

• Book online and save:  Get the best fares and secure your seats by booking online. You can save up to 10% on your ticket price when you book online.
• Book in advance:  When you book a Standard Adult fare online 5 or more days before your planned departure date, you can get a discount of up to 20% on your fare. Conditions apply .
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• 1 piece of large luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage
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Download the the full train timetable departing from Sydney to Brisbane and for the reverse journey from Brisbane to Sydney. The trip may include 4 hour coach travel between Casino and Brisbane. Check travel alerts for up-to-date information before you travel.

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Explore Brisbane

Brisbane to Sydney: The Ultimate Road Trip Planner

• Updated on: June 4, 2021

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Table of Contents

Australia is a vast country with endless natural beauty to explore. All you need is your own transport, a pair of hiking boots, and a surfboard and you’re guaranteed to have one of the best trips of your life! 

Taking a road trip from Brisbane to Sydney is a great way to see the best of Australia’s East Coast. Almost 1000km of incredible coastline stretches between these two capital cities. There are stunning national parks and tons of cool coastal towns to explore. 

There is so much to see over such a large area in Australia that a little planning goes a long way. We’ve put together this Brisbane to Sydney road trip planner to share the best of our epic road trip with you!

Why take a road trip from Brisbane to Sydney?

Tip: Click in the left top corner of the interactive road map above to view all the stops. Click on one of the stops to start navigation.

As soon as we arrived in Australia, we knew we would find it hard to leave. Our trip to Australia ended up lasting a year and a half. We saw as much of the country as we possibly could, including a road trip around Tasmania in our self-converted campervan. 

We traveled the entire east coast of Australia from Cape Tribulation to Melbourne and the stretch from Brisbane to Sydney was a highlight! We took our time exploring the area around Brisbane City and stayed in Sydney for a few months. Coffs Harbour was one of our favorite stops on this trip, it’s such a laid-back, relaxed place. If you’re thinking of traveling north from Brisbane, also check out our route guide from Brisbane to Cairns .

And if like us, you love to surf, this road trip from Brisbane to Sydney is for you. The closer you get to Sydney the more attractive the beaches become and the less chance there is that you’ll meet a shark or crocodile. There are also many Ocean pools along this coastline – rock pools filled with ocean water – which are fantastic!

To help you to plan your perfect trip from Brisbane to Sydney we’ve put together our ultimate road trip planner, complete with distance, driving time, things to do, and places to stay. Enjoy!

Ultimate road trip planner –  Brisbane to Sydney

In this guide we’ve set out the route from Brisbane to Sydney. But if you are in Sydney now and want to travel to Brisbane, you can obviously use it as well, just by turning it around!

The Gold Coast

• Distance & driving time : 114kms (71 miles), 1 hour 53 minute drive (with a detour to Tamborine Mountain)
• Route : Via the M1 out of Brisbane, Highway 92 to Tamborine then Highway 95 to Gold Coast 
• Time to spend here : 3 to 4 days

The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s largest cities and one of the most desirable places to live in the world! There are endless things to do in the Gold Coast and its surrounding area so you get the best of the city and the natural world in one place.

On your way to the Gold Coast don’t forget to make a little detour to Tamborine Mountain. This is a great place for hiking or zip lining. On a clear day from the top of the mountain you’ll be provided with views that stretch all the way from Moreton Bay to Tweet heads, with Brisbane in between.

What to do at the Gold Coast 

• Start by visiting Tamborine Mountain on your way from Brisbane, summit the Tamborine plateau, or stay after dark for a Glow Worm tour. 
• Back in the city, get your bearings with a Jet Boating Tour or a gentle river cruise .
• Hit the beach for surfing lessons or a jet-skiing session.
• For a more peaceful experience in the water go on a Dolphin adventure or whale watching tour .
• On your next day, leave the city and go hiking in Springbrook National Park famous for its lookouts and waterfalls
• Or visit Lamington National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site where you can explore the rainforest via a treetop suspension bridge.

Where to stay in the Gold Coast

• Budget : Backpackers in Paradise Resort , close to Surfer’s Paradise (from US$45 for a double room, also dorms available)
• Midrange : Blue Heron Motel , close to Mermaid Beach (from US$85 for a double room)

TIP: You may also find places to free camp during your road trip from Brisbane to Cairns. Check out our post on free camping in Australia to find out more. 

• 89kms (55 miles), 1 hour 23 minute drive 
• Via the Gold Coast highway 

Byron Bay is known as the gem of New South Wales and that for you should definitely make a stop here during your road trip from Brisbane to Sydney. Byron Bay is also Australia’s easternmost mainland town. The best thing about Byron Bay is its endless beaches and rich marine life. A great place to chill out for a few days.

What to do 

• Head straight to the beach when you arrive and take a sea kayaking tour
• Return to dry land for a wildlife tour to spot koalas, kangaroos, and more in the Byron Shire area. 
• Go bar-hopping and enjoy some music in Byron Bay’s live music venues.
• Explore the bay on a paddleboard or sit back on a sunset river cruise
• Be sure to take some time to lie on the beach and sunbathe.

Where to stay

• Budget : Cape Byron YHA Hostel , close to Main beach (from US$66 per night for a double room, also dorms available)
• Midrange : Glen Villa Resort , close to Main beach (from US$104 per night for a studio cabin, cheaper options available with shared bathroom)

Tip: Book your stays with Hotels.com and get a free night for every 10 nights you book.

• 30kms (18.7 miles), 30 minute drive
• Via Byron Bay Road and the Coast Road

Ballina is a great stop-off between Byron Bay and Yamba. You can enjoy a restful night in a quintessential Australian New South Wales beach town. Far from the tourist centers of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, you can enjoy a seafood dinner and a walk along the beach.

• Midrange : Slipway hotel motel , close to the centre (from US$76 per night for a double room)

Yamba 

• 93kms (58 miles), 1 hour and 4 minute drive
• Pacific Motorway

Yamba is another great stop-over during your road trip from Brisbane to Sydney. It has some fantastic, secluded beaches like Main Beach, Pippi Beach, and Turner Beach. But its real charm lies in its more unusual attractions, like the river market. And don’t forget to do a refreshing dive in the Yamba Rock Pool.

• Visit Yamba’s River Market
• Go deep-sea fishing
• Visit Yamba is Angourie’s Blue Pool. This rock quarry was transformed into a freshwater pool where you can take a refreshing swim after the 10km hike from Yamba Town.
• Budget/Midrange : Yamba Central , in the city centre (from US$70 for a double room, dorms are also available)
• Budget/Midrange : Pacific Hotel Yamba (from $69 for a double room, dorms are also available)

It may also be possible to find places to camp for free around Yamba

Minnie Water

• 108kms (67 miles), 1 hour, 29 minute drive
• Big River Way

Minnie Water is another of NSW’s secluded beach towns. Great for an overnight stay to rest and recharge, Minnie Water has a holiday park with cabins and cheap bushland campground available. 

• 78.5kms (49 miles), 54 minute drive
• Pacific Highway
• 1 to 3 days

Located on the Coffs Coast, Woolgoolga beach is popular with surfers and kayakers. The area’s rugged headland is a famous whale-watching spot so you can catch glimpses of these sea creatures without getting your feet wet! Woolgoolga is also close to Sherwood Nature Reserve for bushwalking and local wildlife spotting. 

• Take a long coastal walk. Choose the length of walk you prefer by picking destinations from Coffs Jetty, Sawtell Headland, Woolgoolga Headland and Emerald Beach Headland. Don’t forget to look out for whales!
• If you’re visiting on the second Saturday of the month, check out Woolgoolga beach market. 
• Drive out to Sherwood Nature Reserve , hike to waterfalls, and spot native birds. 
• Visit Two Tails Winery for a tasting session. 30 minutes from Woolgoolga. 
• Budget : Woopi backpackers , in the city centre and close to the beach (from US$50 for a double room, dorms also available)
• Midrange : Beach motel Woolgoolga , in the city centre and close to the beach (from US$96 for a double room)

There are also a few bush campgrounds located in Yuragir National Park. Try Station Creek, Boorkoom or Pebbly Beach. 

Coffs Harbour

• 25.3kms (16 miles), 20 minute drive
• Pacific Highway 

Only 20 minutes from Woolgoolga, you’ll find Coffs Harbour when road-tripping from Brisbane to Sydney. This is a small coastal city with lots to see and do. You’ll find some stunning beaches and incredible ocean pools. Visitors love Coffs Harbours fishing tours and seafood dinners but it’s also worth moving inland to explore nearby countryside and rainforest. 

• See the coastline standing up with a paddleboard session
• Drive to Bellingen and buy local gifts and snacks at the Bellingen Park Market (on the third Saturday of each month).
• Visit the lush rainforest of Dorrigo National Park
• Eat out at the Jetty Strip, the locals favorite spot for cafes and restaurants
• Go whale watching !
• Visit the Sawtell Memorial Rock Pool
• Budget/Midrange : Pier Hotel Coffs Harbour, in the center and close to the jetty (from US$ 76 per night for a double room)

Nambucca Heads

• 46.9kms (29 miles), 37 minute drive
• Pacific Highway and Giinagay Way

Located at the mouth of the Nambucca River, Nambucca Heads is a perfect jumping-off point to explore Gaagal Wanggaan (South Beach) National Park. When making a road trip from Brisbane to Sydney you definitely want to get out of the car every now and then. Nambucca Heads is a perfect place to stretch your legs and chill out!

• Have a BBQ at Shelley Beach
• Look for humpback whales at Captain Cook Lookout
• Kayak in Warrell Creek
• Read some inspiring texts at the colorful V wall, or leave your own quote behind!
• Hike in the forests of Gaagal Wanggaan National Park
• Budget/midrange : Big 4 Nambucca Heads Campsite , close to the swimming creek and the beach (from US$76 for a studio that sleeps 5 with shared amenities, also campsites available)
• Midrange : Marcel Towers Holiday Apartments , close to Captain Cook lookout and the V wall (from US$108 for an apartment)

Port Macquarie

• 211kms (131 miles), 2 hour, 20 minute drive

Port Macquarie is one of Australia’s most popular vacation destinations and it’s easy to see why. This coastal town has 17 beaches, tons of accommodation options and unusual attractions like the Koala Hospital. Worth visiting at any time of year. 

• Splash out on a scenic helicopter flight
• Visit the Koala Hospital for a Walk and Talk tour
• Up the pace of your trip by hiring a jet ski
• Take a drive out to nearby hinterland villages and enjoy a long hike through the Wauchope, Byabarra, Comboyne, Ellenborough, Wingham, or Taree regions
• Finish up your trip in Port Macquarie’s famous luxury day spa
• Budget : Ozzie Pozzie Backpackers , close to the center (from US$41 for a twin room with a shared bathroom, also rooms with private bathroom available)
• Midrange : Flynn Beach Ocean Gateway , close to the Koala hospital and Flynns beach (from US$105 for a double room)

There are also campsites located on the coastline of Limeburners National Park, a short drive from Port Macquarie 

• 117 kms (72.7 miles), 1 hour 36 minute drive
• Ocean Drive and Pacific Highway
• Overnight stay

Forester is a hidden gem on your Brisbane to Sydney road trip. This town is home to some of the emptiest and most beautiful beaches in Australia! So, make sure to bring your swimsuit and arrive on time in this cozy town to be able to enjoy all the beauty it has to offer. And don’t forget to pass by the Forester Ocean Baths for a dip in the ocean while the waves are crashing over the walls of the pool.

• Take the 25km Wallingat Forest Drive through Wallingat National Park  
• Visit the Golf and Tennis clubs at Forster-Tuncurry for an afternoon of sporting action
• Dip in the Forester Ocean Baths to cool off
• Take an Oyster Farm boat tour then eat the famous local Wallis Lake Oysters for dinner
• Budget/Midrange : Bali Hi , close to 9 mile beach (from US$55 for a double room)

Port Stephens & Nelson Bay

• 165 kms (103 miles), 2 hours and 5 minutes
• The Lakes Way and Pacific Highway

Port Stephens is a vast, gorgeous bay known for its incredible biodiversity. The sunny weather lasts all year round here. The beaches here are among the nicest on this list but nearby Tomaree National Park, with its Koala colonies and gorgeous vistas, is the real draw.

• Take an ultimate sandboarding and 4WD dune tour at Port Stephens of Stockton Bight 
• Hike the Tomaree Headland for the best 360-degree view in the area
• Head to the Hunter Valley (a 1.5 hour drive), Australia’s premier wine-growing region. As well as visiting wineries, you can take a hot air balloon ride!
• While you’re out there, spend a peaceful afternoon at Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
• Visit Shoal Bay, a 2.5km stretch from Nelson Headland to Tomaree Headland, to swim, kayak, and sunbathe.

Where to stay 

• Budget/Midrange : Peninsula Nelson Bay , close to Nelson Bay lighthouse (from US$81 per night for a double room)

• 60 kms (37 miles), 56 minutes 
• Nelson Bay Rd

A fascinating city located an hour south of Nelson’s Bay and a few hours from Sydney, Newcastle is well worth a few days of your trip. Popular surfing beaches and laid-back coastal life compete with city attractions like museums, microbreweries, and heritage sites. Visitors to Newcastle will find tons to explore. 

• Get your bearings early with a 2.5 hour Newcastle harbor and sightseeing cruise
• Get your culture fix with an afternoon spent wandering around Newcastle Museum and Newcastle Art Gallery
• Take a dip in the Bogey Hole, an ocean rock pool hand-cut by convicts in the 1820s
• GO hiking in Hunter Wetlands National Park, an area of stunning biodiversity
• Take your adventure travel to the next level with a Newcastle Beach tandem skydive
• If you haven’t yet had your fill of surfing, visit Mereweather Beach, home of international surfing competition, Surfest.
• Budget : Newcastle Beach YHA , close to Newcastle Beach and Newcastle Ocean Pools (from US$71 for a twin room, also dorms available)
• Midrange : Terminus Apartment Hotel , close to foreshore park (from US$124 for a double room)

• 169 kms (105 miles), 3 hour drive
• Pacific Highway, A49 and Central Coast highway

Sydney! The end of your road trip all the way from Brisbane. You might be happy, you might be sad. But either way I hope you’ve saved some energy to explore one of the most iconic cities in the world. Sydney’s world-class cultural venues host a busy calendar of events and the city’s restaurants pull in tourists from around the world. Lush national parks are only a short drive away and, of course, Sydney’s beaches are spectacular. Dive in! 

• Explore the city on arrival with a group cycle tour , one of our favorite ways to get our bearings. 
• You can’t visit Sydney without a tour of the Sydney Opera House
• Walk one of the many Sydney walks to explore the city on foot
• Skywalk the Sydney Tower Eye
• Spend a peaceful afternoon at the Royal Botanic Gardens with great views on the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge
• Escape the crowds at Bondi Beach by visiting Bronte Beach and its outdoor swimming spot, Bronte Baths. 
• Budget : Original backpackers , close to the city center (from US$36 for a double room, also dorm rooms available)
• Budget/midrange : Grand hotel , in the city center and close to the Harbour Bridge and Opera House (from US$54 for a double room)
• Budget/Midrange : The village Bondi Beach hostel , close to Bondi Beach (from US$70 for a double room, also from rooms available)
• Budget/midrange : Boardrider Hostel, Backpacker & Budget Motel , close to Manley beach (from US$59 for a double room, also dorm rooms available)

Optional detour on your Brisbane to Sydney road trip: Blue Mountains National Park

• 80 km (50 miles), 1 hour 45 minute drive
• Western Motorway

If you’re not quite ready to let your road trip from Brisbane to Sydney come to an end, consider this optional detour to Blue Mountains National Park. A World Heritage area, Blue Mountains National Park is one million hectares in size. Visitors to this area of New South Wales find it hard to leave without exploring the cliffs, canyons, waterfalls and forests that make up this enchanting national park. There are endless hiking trails to explore and camping available, so you can easily spend a couple of days or even weeks here.

Are you ready to discover more about Australia? Check out more of our Australia posts !

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The PERFECT Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip Itinerary [2024]

• Last Updated: January 5, 2024

This ultimate Sydney to Brisbane road trip itinerary will touch on the travel logistics and the best stops between these two Australian cities. 

One of the best ways to experience Australia is by doing a road trip. And one of the most popular Australian road trips is from Sydney to Brisbane on the east coast.

Both of these capital cities are packed with entertainment and excitement. But there is so much natural beauty and authentic Australian culture nestled in between the two.

You’ll pass charming surf towns, stunning beaches, and national parks rich with greenery and wildlife on this Sydney to Brisbane road trip. 

Driving from Sydney to Brisbane is also very straightforward and easy. 

The majority of the drive takes place on the highway, with small detours here and there for certain attractions. 

The roads are all well-paved and well-marked. So you don’t need a 4X4 and you shouldn’t have any trouble with navigation.

So if you’re wondering “Where should I stop between Brisbane and Sydney?”, then this post is for you!

READ MORE: Click here to read our Australia travel guide to help you plan your trip!

Table of Contents

Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip Quick Facts

Port stephens, booti booti national park, port macquarie , crescent head, south west rocks, dorrigo national park, coffs harbour, lamington national park, burleigh heads, day 7: gold coast to brisbane, sydney to brisbane drive – wrapping it up.

7-Day Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip Itinerary

This ultimate Sydney to Brisbane road trip itinerary will list all the most amazing places to stop along the east coast. 

Keep in mind, this is just a rough guideline. So feel free to add any other stops to the list or swap things out for your own road trips! If you have more time in the Sydney Area definitely check out Blue Mountains National Park and the Sydney Opera House before heading up the legendary Pacific Coast.

You can definitely enjoy all the attractions and stops along the way in 5 days. 

But certain places are so beautiful that you may want to stay for a few days before continuing on towards Brisbane. 

So ideally, you would have a week or 8 days to allow you to spend longer in stunning places like Byron Bay, Crescent Head, or any national parks. 

There is so much fun stuff to do on a Sydney to Brisbane road trip, so take your time and really enjoy it!

And don’t worry, if you are looking to do it in reverse, this itinerary can be done as a Brisbane to Sydney drive too!

If you have a bit of time before hitting the road, check out our guide to all the top free things to do in Sydney .

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Day 1: Sydney to Port Stephens

• Time: 3 hours
• Distance : 219 km

The first portion of driving on your road trip will be relatively quick and easy.

Depending on where you start driving in Sydney, you may have to spend some time in city traffic. 

But once you leave Sydney, it’s smooth sailing along the M1 Pacific Highway until you reach Newcastle on the Central Coast.

Newcastle is the second biggest city in NSW, and it’s just over 2 hours from Sydney.

Spend an hour or two here walking, swimming, surfing, and relaxing before you get back on the road. 

Definitely stop by one of the sandy beaches near the city centre, like Newcastle Beach, Bar Beach, or Nobbies Beach . The beaches are all free and have lots of free parking. 

Another highlight of Newcastle is the Anzac Memorial Walkway . 

This short but steep walkway next to Bar Beach commemorates Australian soldiers and offers spectacular views of the Newcastle coastline. Get a bit of exercise and enjoy the views of the coastline with this activity!

For lunch, there are endless cafes and restaurants all over the city. 

If you’re passing through on the weekend, grab some fresh local food at the Newcastle City Farmer’s Markets at Newcastle Showground .

They have lots of small local businesses selling the best, high-quality food. This is a great place to buy snacks for the road as well!

After exploring Newcastle for a few hours, drive a bit further north until you reach the gorgeous region of Port Stephens.

This stunning part of New South Wales is a must-see on any drive from Sydney to Brisbane, and while you could easily spend a week checking out all the amazing things to do in Port Stephens , we recommend spending at least one night here.

First up you could book into an excellent sandboarding experience along the Stockton Dunes , the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere! Or surf at One Mile Beach, enjoy a coastal walk, or snorkel in search of some marine life.

Have an enjoyable dinner in Nelson Bay, and then the next morning you can head off on an awesome whale watching or dolphin cruise!

We recommend staying in Nelson Bay or Shoal Bay during your time in the area.

READ MORE: Want to spend longer here? Check out our recommended Port Stephens itinerary !

Day 2: Port Stephens to Forster

• Time: 2.5 hours
• Distance: 185 km

It’ll be a bit of a late start to hit the road today, mainly because you’ll have an epic breakfast at a cafe in Port Stephens, then book onto a whale watching cruise!

After lunch though it’s time to hit the road and make your way towards Seal Rocks.

After leaving Port Stephens, the Pacific Highway name changes from M1 to A1. But it’s still the same major road. 

You’ll drive on this road for just under 2 hours before reaching the turnoff towards Seal Rocks.

Seal Rocks is a small town close to Forster, near Myall Lakes National Park.

There isn’t a lot to do, but it’s on the way so it makes for a nice, quick stop. When you first arrive, there are some lovely coastal lookout points. 

The highlight is walking along the shady, woodland path that winds uphill towards the Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse . 

Listen for kookaburras cackling in the gum trees and enjoy the view of the rugged rocks from the top of the lighthouse. 

You could also go for a quick bushwalk or fishing session in Myall Lakes National Park.

Boat Beach is a quiet and secluded spot for swimming. You’ll most likely have the whole beach to yourself!

This lush national park lies directly south of Forster. 

If you are camping or have a van, The Ruins Campground is a beautiful place to spend the night. 

I recommend heading to the nearby Wallis Lake to watch the sunset.

The natural colours reflecting on the glassy lake looks absolutely surreal. 

If you plan on staying overnight in accommodation, continue driving for 15 minutes until you reach the town centre of Forster. 

Forster doesn’t have that many attractions, but it has some highly-rated hotels, motels, and inns. 

So for the second night of your Sydney to Brisbane road trip, Forster or Booti Booti National Park are the perfect places to stay. 

If you’re looking for an awesome place to stay in the area, we personally love using Airbnb. If you’ve never used the platform before, sign up using this link to get USD$35 off your first booking .

Day 3: Forster to Crescent Head

• Time: 2 hours
• Distance: 160 km (105 miles)

Day 3 of your Sydney to Brisbane drive itinerary has little driving and lots of time for fun activities. 

You’ll spend a couple of hours driving along the A1 Pacific Highway. 

There is an exit for Port Macquarie if you’re looking for somewhere to stop. 

Or you can just continue until you reach the exit for Crescent Head. 

All the roads are straightforward, easy, and well-paved. 

After leaving Forster, you’ll reach Port Macquarie in just over an hour. 

This coastal town is a nice spot to stop for lunch, and there are a few attractions here for those who are interested! 

You can check out Tacking Point Lighthouse , which was built in 1879.

Then walk along the coastal track and try to spot dolphins or whales in the ocean. 

You don’t need to spend too much time here. The next destination on this Sydney to Brisbane road trip itinerary is one of the best, so you’ll want lots of time there. 

Just one hour north of Port Macquarie lies Crescent Head. 

NOTE: We recommend following the tourist route. You’ll see signs for it.

As one of the most popular holiday destinations among locals in New South Wales, Crescent Head is heavenly. 

The town of Crescent Head is tiny. But it has some lovely local cafes and a few nice hotels and motels. 

Most people come to the area for the stunning coastal scenery and amazing beaches. 

Spend the entire day swimming or surfing in the crystal clear waves, or go for a walk along the beach and collect shells. 

There is also a small golf course and a caravan park right next to the beach. 

Be sure to walk up to the small headland, known as Little Nobby, for sunset or sunrise.

Then walk up the grassy hill to an even bigger headland, known as Big Nobby , for panoramic views.

Day 4: Crescent Head to Bellingen

• Time: 1.5 hours
• Distance: 120 km

On the fourth day of your Sydney to Brisbane drive itinerary, you’ll jump back on the A1 Pacific Highway for around an hour before heading inland.

While most people think it’s worth just sticking to the coast (we get it, it’s beautiful!), one of Australia’s best attractions is found nearby.

It’s a short drive to South West Rocks, but you’ll love the lush farmland, huge trees and meandering river along the way.

Once you get to the village, stop by the Trial Bay Gaol to learn about the history of the prison, and keep an eye out for all the kangaroos around the campground!

The Smoky Cape Lighthouse is well worth the hike too.

Now it’s time to hit the road again and make your way to Bellingen.

This bucolic, historic and quaint town is one of the real highlights of this road trip Sydney to Brisbane itinerary, and we highly recommend grabbing lunch here and walking around.

Once you’ve taken your snaps, jump back in the car and drive up to one of the most beautiful places in the country!

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park is home to the Gondwana Rainforest, the oldest trees in the entire world, and it really feels like you’re stepping into Jurassic Park.

There are plenty of great hikes you can do in the area, but before you tackle any of them make sure you visit the Rainforest Centre to get some information on the unique flora and fauna in Dorrigo.

If you just have time for one hike, we recommend walking to Crystal Falls.

This glorious waterfall tumbles out of the rainforest and into a gorgeous pool, with a pathway leading into a small overhand so you can see the falls from behind.

You can continue the Rainforest Loop if you’re feeling up for it, or drive back down to Bellingen for the night.

Day 5: Bellingen to Byron Bay

• Time: 4 hours
• Distance: 290km

It’s a big day of driving today, and if you’d rather split it up we recommend spending the night in Yamba.

Otherwise pack the car, have a nice breakfast in Bellingen, and hit the road to one of the best places to visit in Australia ; Byron Bay!

Once you leave Bellingen, you’ll reach Coffs Harbour in about 30 minutes.

The city isn’t much to look at, but there’s a huge shopping centre near the highway where you can use the bathroom and grab some food. 

The biggest attraction in Coffs Harbour is the Big Banana Fun Park .

Coffs Harbour is famous because there is an actual giant big banana at the entrance!

You can see the Coffs Harbour Big Banana from the highway, so you don’t even have to stop if you’re short on time. 

If you do stop, another Coffs Harbour attraction is the Forest Sky Pier. It’s a long pier that offers panoramic views of the ocean, coastline, and surrounding hinterland.

Yamba is a beautiful seaside town, that must have been what Byron Bay was like 20 years ago.

It’s a wonderful place to stop off for lunch, or if you have more time when driving to Brisbane from Sydney, spend the night.

Visit some of the coastal walks and beaches before continuing the drive north.

Byron Bay is a laid-back coastal town near the northern border of New South Wales. 

The town is super popular among backpackers, so there are tons of hostels, campgrounds, and fun bars and restaurants. 

There are also lots of amazing cafes and health food shops, as well as some interesting vintage stores and trendy shops. 

READ MORE: Check out our Bryon Bay Visitors Guide to plan your time there!

Surrounding the town centre of Byron Bay is so much natural beauty as well. 

Be sure to walk along the coastal track up to the Cape Byron Bay Lighthouse. Other fun things to do include surfing at the Pass, going whale-watching, or kayaking with dolphins .

You may want to spend a few days in Byron Bay before continuing on your Sydney to Brisbane road trip. There are so many incredible things to do here!

Day 6: Byron Bay to Gold Coast via Lamington National Park

• Distance: 175km

After leaving Byron Bay, drive north on the M1 (the A1 has now changed back to the M1), and you will cross the border into Queensland !

The next three destinations on this Sydney to Brisbane road trip form a triangle, so you can visit them in any order you want. 

Lamington National Park is located about an hour inland from the coast.

You don’t need a 4×4 to drive here, although the terrain gets really hilly. 

So if you’re driving a huge van and are nervous about winding cliffside roads, maybe skip this part. 

I recommend heading straight to Lamington National Park after Byron Bay. 

For nature lovers, this is a great opportunity to do some hiking and spend time in the forest. 

Lamington National Park is full of towering trees, hills and valleys, walking tracks, and scenic views. 

A highlight of the park is Moran Falls .

Drive up into the mountains, park your car, and set out on a 1-2 hour easy bushwalk that brings you to the top of a massive waterfall. 

Watching the sunset over the valley from the top of Moran Falls is one of the best things to do in the park!

Visit the official Queensland government website for more information on what to do in Lamington National Park. 

After hiking and exploring in the forest, head back to the coast to Burleigh Heads. 

This laid-back and beautiful coastal town has a massive beach, a bushwalk along the headland, a beachfront walking/jogging track, an amazing lookout point, and more. 

If you want to camp, I recommend staying here for the night instead of the Gold Coast.

It’s much quieter and there are some nice campgrounds with great facilities right next to the beach. 

If you prefer to stay right in the hustle and bustle of the city, you can spend the night in the Gold Coast. 

It’s really up to you where you spend most of day 4 on your road trip.

The Gold Coast is a lively city with lots of wonderful restaurants, bars, shops, and nightlife. 

Don’t believe me? You can check out our post on all the epic things to do in the Gold Coast here .

Burleigh Heads is more relaxed, and the two are only a 20-minute drive apart. 

Surfer’s Paradise is another famous Australian beach that is just a 10-minute drive north of the Gold Coast city centre. 

If you feel like treating yourself, you can book a river cruise along Surfer’s Paradise and the Gold Coast.

Sunbathe on the boat deck and eat snacks while sailing past the skyscrapers and fancy yachts of the area. 

• Time: 1 hour
• D istance: 80km

On the final day of your Sydney to Brisbane drive, you don’t need to spend much time on the road. 

The Gold Coast and Brisbane are only a 1-hour drive apart. 

Head over whenever you feel like it. Then your Sydney to Brisbane road trip is done!

Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland, so there is plenty to do here when you arrive . 

Hopefully, this road trip itinerary will inspire you to experience more of Australia’s east coast outside Sydney. 

Lots of people just stay in the city or only visit the touristy areas.

It’s amazing to experience these popular areas, like Sydney, The Gold Coast, and Byron Bay. 

But quiet, less touristy areas like Crescent Head or Lamington National Park are amazing ways to see the real Australia!

READ MORE ROAD TRIP GUIDES:

• Brisbane to Cairns Drive itinerary
• Best Road Trips in Queensland

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Gabby Boucher

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Sydney to Brisbane Train

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• Qantas and American collectively have 42% of flights.
• Two routes are served double daily, the highest frequency to date.

There are 20 routes between the US and Australia from December to March . Among other developments, it is thanks to United Airlines ' brand-new route between Los Angeles and Brisbane and the June 2023 launch of Qantas from Sydney to New York JFK via Auckland. They build on the late 2022 start of United's San Francisco-Brisbane (which the above photo celebrates) and Qantas' Melbourne-Dallas Fort Worth.

Six airlines, 20 routes

The network is summarized in the following table in alphabetical order of airline name. While Qantas has the most extensive network, partly helped by serving fellow one world partner American Airlines hubs, United has the most flights in the examined four months.

United would still have more services than Qantas even if that airline's lower-cost unit, Jetstar, was included, although not if Qantas and American were combined. Indeed, the two giants collectively have about 42% of all Australia-US services.

The Most Notable New Airline Routes This Week

United's record on san francisco-sydney.

Only two routes are served twice daily: United between San Francisco and Sydney and Delta from Los Angeles to Sydney. Both now are at the highest regular frequencies, based on Cirium data.

According to US Department of Transportation T-100 data, United launched the long, 7,417-mile (11,937 km) non-stop route in 1994. It deployed the Boeing 747-400 for many years. The 777-200ER materialized on the route in 2014, followed by the 787-9 in 2016. Three years later, it was the turn of the 777-300ER; flights are now entirely by the large type.

Cirium shows that United has had daily service on the route for many years. While it has had more services at particular times, it has never had a double daily operation every day – until now.

Frequencies rose to twice daily on October 28th, 2023. This was the day before airlines in the Northern Hemisphere, like United, switched to winter schedules. It will run twice daily from the US until March 28th, 2024, just before United switches to summer schedules. For now, it is as follows, with all times local:

• San Francisco-Sydney : UA829 (20:00-06:20+2), UA863 (22:50-09:15+2)
• Sydney-San Francisco : UA830 (12:10-06:55; same day), UA870 (14:00-08:45; same day)

Want to fly? Get tickets here .

132,000+ passengers

Using T-100 data indicates that United carried 132,363 roundtrip passengers between San Francisco and Sydney from January to August 2023. With 183,400 seats for sale, it achieved an average load factor of just 72%.

While certainly low in itself, it should not be considered in isolation. Given it has increased frequency to the highest yet, it must be very confident, partly because of its Virgin Australia partnership. In those eight months, data shows that approximately :

• 56% of passengers transited to other flights in San Francisco to/from Sydney
• 25% were point-to-point (they only flew between the two cities)
• 14% 'bridged' Sydney and San Francisco (e.g., Melbourne-Sydney-San Francisco-Denver)
• 5% transited Sydney to/from San Francisco (e.g., Adelaide-Sydney-San Francisco)

Will you be flying across the Pacific soon? If so, let us know in the comments section.

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The View From Here: Solina, Ettalong Beach, NSW

Experience a weekend on the waterfront less than 90 minutes’ drive from Sydney. Solina, meaning “little sun”, is a mid-century-modern oasis overlooking Brisbane Waters. The striking house by architect Richard Neutra is an Aussie interpretation of iconic Southern California beach houses. Its clean, bright lines frame a view of beautiful Ettalong Beach.

There is quick access to the beach. Local shops, restaurants and cafes are just a stroll away, so you could spend the whole day outside soaking up the waterfront lifestyle. If you fancy a moment out of the sun, the house is equipped with cutting edge modern luxury: cooled and heated concrete flooring, a sunken living room with a wall-mounted TV and Sonos sound system, and a spacious kitchen.

There are three bedrooms with a king, a queen and two bunk beds, so there is space for the whole family. Book in and enjoy a relaxing holiday in classic beach-house style.

Book now @yellowdoorexperiences

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Arts & entertainment, design & style, travel & leisure, search concrete playground, uptown is the new sydney precinct that's been established behind circular quay to help revitalise cbd life.

The part of town in the CBD's north now has a new name as part of a $38-billion renewal, which is transforming the area into a thriving cultural hub.

If you've been searching for new ways to explore Sydney but have come up short, the launch of UpTown is here to help. Thanks to the New South Wales Government's plan to encourage locals to uncover the best of the CBD's north, this new precinct is being positioned as the city's latest hotspot for nightlife, dining, celebrating the city's history and everything in-between.

Located behind Circular Quay — spanning from Bridge Street to the harbourfront and Macquarie Street to George Street — this newly named district is an initiative supported by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner's Uptown Program. The scheme aims to breathe new life into the northern district of the CBD, making it a must-visit spot for Sydneysiders and tourists alike.

"UpTown Sydney CBD comprises some of Australia's oldest streets and buildings, as well as incredible new developments like Sydney Place and the award-winning Quay Quarter Tower," said Laura Southcombe, UpTown Sydney's District Coordinator.

The project also wants to redefine the northern area of the CBD as a cultural hub and bring visibility to its diversity, rather than retaining its current reputation as Sydney's go-to for corporate life. Wondering what's on offer? UpTown Sydney CBD's website serves as a reference point for the district's venues and upcoming events.

Currently, the outlined district comprises an array of varying venues, from the lavish likes Besuto , Lana and Intercontinental Sydney 's luxe rooftop bar Aster, plus casual diners in Quay Quarter such as Belles Hot Chicken , to art-centred institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art — and also local watering holes like Jacksons on George , Double Deuce Lounge and Maybe Sammy .

"This juxtaposition of old and new is only one element why this energetic district should be front and centre in locals' minds when deciding not just where to eat and drink, but where to visit museums and catch live music," continued Southcombe.

To launch UpTown Sydney, the NSW Government contributed a $200,000 grant back via the Uptown Program, which was established in 2022, to assist with getting the initiative off the ground. Not only is the program set to encourage local businesses to promote the best the area has to offer, but it also hopes to help transform Sydney's nightlife.

"With both our website, which is a great resource for those looking for a night out or planning how to spend a few hours in the city, and our local community of businesses and cultural institutions coming together as one recognisable district, we're hoping to  reinvigorate this part of the CBD, and help Sydneysiders reimagine it beyond its corporate and 'touristy' reputation," said Justin Newton, President of UpTown Sydney CBD and Director of House Made Hospitality.

For more information about UpTown, head to the precinct's website . 

Images: Steve Woodburn, Tom Ferguson, Leigh Griffith and James Horan. 

Australia's Biggest-Ever Yayoi Kusama Retrospective Is Coming to the NGV with a Brand-New Infinity Mirror Room

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Smart ticketing launches as alternative to go cards on Brisbane ferries but not yet activated on buses

Smart ticketing will begin on Brisbane ferries from today following delays in the rollout of the new payment method.

The new scheme allows commuters to tap on and off their public transport services using a debit card, credit card or smart device — making it an alternative to go cards.

In addition to ferries and CityCats, commuters can already use smart ticketing on South-East Queensland trains and trams but it is yet to begin on buses.

The activation of smart ticketing on ferries will only initially apply to full-paying adult fares, with people travelling on concession fares urged to still use their go cards.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish said the beginning of smart ticketing on ferries was an "exciting milestone" for the new system.

"Whether you're a tourist exploring Brisbane from the river or you're a commuter getting to and from work every day, it is now easier than ever to pay for your journey on one of our iconic ferries," he said.

"Customers have told us they have enjoyed the ease of paying for their journey on trains and trams in the same way they might pay for a coffee with tap-and-go on their bank card, mobile phone or smart watch.

"That same ease of payment is now available to adults catching a Brisbane River ferry."

'We are taking our time to get it right'

Smart ticketing began on Gold Coast light rail in late 2020 before a staged rollout on trains commenced in mid-2022 – more than 13 million trips have been taken using the new technology.

The government had previously indicated that smart ticketing would be operational on buses and ferries from 2023 but it did not meet the time frame.

All buses now have smart ticketing technology installed on board, with the government promising that trials will begin operator by operator later this year.

Acting head of Translink Pete Milward thanked customers for their patience as the ticketing system was deployed across the South-East.

"We know bus users are keen to trial the technology as well, but we are taking our time to get it right and we look forward to announcing the first bus trials in due course," he said.

Last financial year more than 153 million trips were taken on South-East Queensland public transport, including 4.2 million ferry trips and 97.2 million bus journeys.

Adult commuters who want to use a go card on ferry, train and tram services can still do so.

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