The Ultimate Brisbane To Sydney Road Trip

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.

The Gunshop Cafe, Ballina — 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 Pavilion 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.

Burleigh Pavillion, Ballina beach — 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 scenic Killen Falls, Tintenbar — 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. 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 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.

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

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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, Bean Scene Cafe — Al fresco dining at the Bean Scene Cafe.

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

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.

Salt Crew Kiosk, Port Macquarie — 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.

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: Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat – treehouses that tread lightly on the natural environment without compromising on luxury.

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

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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, 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.

cold brew, Hubro Cafe — 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 and the unique temporary exhibits at the Newcastle Museum.

Wayfinder at Newcastle Museum, Newcastle — 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.

chic exterior, The Lucky Hotel — 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.

city views at Darling Harbour, Sydney — 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 trip pit stops.

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba, where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park. Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards. Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery.

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores. Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House, then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

The ultimate Brisbane to Sydney road trip

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