Sydney Brisbane Road Trip Planner

Don’t miss this road trip if you want to enjoy the most beautiful beach relaxation along the east coast from Sydney to Brisbane. This article will share my experience & itinerary with you, especially driving from Sydney to Newcastle and Hunter Valley.

Before You Take Action

I must say that I haven’t been to every attraction on this road. So here I just tried some practical recommendations for road trips by my friends & residents and wrote itineraries using my experience as suggestions.

You don’t need to follow my whole plan; arrange it, add and remove some places in your mind and consider your limited day & budget. Then, hopefully, you will enjoy a fun fill & unforgettable road trip of your own!

Sydney Brisbane Drive Route Map Overview

Sydney Brisbane drive route map Australia
Sydney Brisbane drive route map

How Many Kilometers Is This Route?

The fastest way is a 945 km coastal drive, also is the one way through Gold Coast. However, driving to Gold Coast from the Sydney coast should be better if you want more surf.

How Many Days Are Best For A Road Trip?

It takes 10 hours and 8 mins for the fastest route, a similar length to Sydney Melbourne. But I suggest you take at least two days for the drive. In addition, there are many beautiful attractions in midway Sydney Brisbane that are worth to stay. Indeed 3-5 days is much better for most people who take short trips or work holiday experiences.

>>Get Navigation.

Best Attractions Between Sydney & Brisbane

  • Palm Beach
  • West Head Lookout
  • Long Jetty
  • Pelican Feeding
  • New Castle (Susan Gilmore Beach, Bogey Hole, Newcastle Memorial Walk, Strzelecki Lookout)
  • Fort Scratchley

The highlight of this route plan will focus on two places; the first one is Gold Coast, second is Hunter Valley.

Check Over 45 Up Attractions between Sydney & Brisbane>>

9 Days Itinerary Sydney Brisbane Road Trip

Head north From Sydney to Brisbane in this trip plan. Now, let’s get started.

Day1 – Sydney Around

Palm Beach NSW Australia
Palm Beach
  • Estimated Distance – 128 km
  • Estimated Drive Time – 3 hr

>>Get Navigation on Google Map

In this part route, you have these places drive-through:

  • Palm Beach
  • West Head Lookout
  • Manly

Drive from Sydney to Palm Beach, then to West Head Lookout and enjoy the excellent sea view. Then stay over near Palm Beach or Manly, there’s Manly beach in front of you.

Day 2 – Manly to Newcastle

Pelican Feeding NSW Australia
Pelican Feeding
  • Estimated Distance – 170 km
  • Estimated Drive Time – 3 hr

>>Get Navigation on Google Map

In this part route, you have these places drive-through:

  • Long Jetty Foreshore Reserve
  • Pelican Feeding
  • Susan Gilmore Beach
  • Newcastle Memorial Walk
  • Strzelecki Lookout
  • Bogey Hole

Drive to Long Jetty, see Pelican Feeding, a show at The Entrance town, then go to Newcastle. Finally, you can get to a park and hit attractions like Susan Gilmore Beach Bogey Hole, Newcastle Memorial Walk, Strzelecki Lookout, etc.

Day 3 – Newcastle to Anna Bay

Anna Bay Camel Riding Tour NSW Australia
Anna Bay Camel Riding Tour
  • Estimated Distance – 55 km
  • Estimated Drive Time – 1 hr

>>Get Navigation on Google Map

In this part route, you have these places drive-through:

  • Nobbys Beach
  • Fort Scratchley
  • Anna Bay

You can surf at Nobbys Beach, visit Nobbys Lighthouse, and visit Fort Scratchley Museum. Or go to Anna Bay taking sandboarding or a camel riding tour in the sunset. Both these beaches are great for surfing.

Day 4 – Anna Bay to Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley Gardens NSW Australia
Hunter Valley Gardens
  • Estimated Distance – 92 km
  • Estimated Drive Time – 1 hr 10 min

>>Get Navigation on Google Map

In this part route, you have these places drive-through:

  • Hunter Valley Zoo
  • Hunter Valley Gardens
  • Hunter Distillery

Go to Hunter Valley to taste great wine, and enjoy the vast vineyards around Hunter Valley Gardens.

Day 5 – Hunter Valley to Coffs Harbour

The Big Golden Guitar NSW Australia
The Big Golden Guitar
  • Estimated Distance – 534 km
  • Estimated Drive Time – 6 hr 40 min

>>Get Navigation on Google Map

In this part route, you have these places drive-through:

  • The Big Golden Guitar
  • Ebor Falls
  • Coffs Harbour

If you drive the inland highway through the town of Tamworth, rest at The Big Golden Guitar; there are many Big kinds of Stuff in the many cities, Big Guitar is just one of them. I know others like Big Banana, Big Sheep, etc. Australian like BIG? Whatever. Then, go to visit Ebor Falls, for hiking & play water. Stay over near Ebor Falls or drive to Coffs Harbour straightly.

Day 6 – Coffs Harbour Around

Forest Sky Pier Coffs Harbour NSW Australia
Forest Sky Pier near Coffs Harbour
  • Estimated Distance – 20 km
  • Estimated Drive Time – 31 min

>>Get Navigation on Google Map

In this part route, you have these places drive-through:

  • Forest Sky Pier
  • The Big Banana Fun Park
  • Dolphin Marine Conservation Park
  • Coffs Harbour Jetty
  • Solitary Islands Aquarium
  • National Cartoon Gallery @The Bunker, Coffs Harbour
  • Beacon Hill Lookout
  • Time Out Adventures & Segway Tours Coffs Harbour

Tour at Forest Sky Pier & BIG Banana, walking on the top of the tree, what excellent vast viewing if you drive to Coffs Harbour.

Day 7 – Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay

Byron Bay lighthouse NSW Australia
  • Estimated Distance – 245 km
  • Estimated Drive Time – 3 hr 12 min

>>Get Navigation on Google Map

In this part route, you have these places drive-through:

  • Byron Bay
  • Captain Cook Memorial
  • Gold Coast

Leave Coffs Harbour, head to Gold Coast, rest at Lake Ainsworth & Byron Bay, walking around at Cape Byron Lighthouse. It’s the Most Easterly Point on the Australian Mainland; you can stay overnight or keep going to Gold Coast.

Day 8 – Byron Bay to Gold Coast

Captain Cook Memorial NSW/QLD Australia
Captain Cook Memorial NSW/QLD Australia
  • Estimated Distance – 106 km
  • Estimated Drive Time – 1 hr 50 min

>>Get Navigation on Google Map

In this part route, you have these places drive-through:

  • Warner Bros. Movie World
  • Sea World
  • Jet Boat Extreme
  • Infinity Attraction
  • Surfers Paradise
  • Dracula’s Cabaret Gold Coast
  • SkyPoint Observation Deck
  • Mick Schamburg Park Lookout
  • Burleigh Head National Park
  • Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Point Danger & Snapper Rocks
  • Springbrook National Park

Keep going, rest at Captain Cook Memorial (border QLD / NSW), surf at Surfers Paradise, and visit SkyPoint Observation Deck. Enjoy the waterfront day tour!

Day 9 – Gold Coast to Brisbane

Surfers Paradise Gold Coast QLD Australia
Surfers Paradise Gold Coast QLD Australia

>>Get Attraction List on Google Map

You have some places worth being:

  • Brisbane City Botanic Garden
  • The Wheel of Brisbane
  • Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
  • Roma Street Parkland
  • Museum of Brisbane
  • Gallery of Modern Art
  • Story Bridge
  • Brisbane Sign
  • Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout
  • Streets Beach
  • Moreton Island (Optional)

Go to Brisbane City by train, and you don’t need to drive a camper cause there are many cars & tolls around the city. Tour complete.

With this 9-10 days itinerary, you can arrange any place.

Want to know more attractions?

Check Over 45 Up Attractions between Sydney & Brisbane>>

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy this road trip, and you already know the best route between Sydney and Brisbane. Now, get your belongings ready, get food and a map, turn on your car engine and start it! 

By the way, besides the Sydney Brisbane trip planner, I recommend these route planners for your next road trip:

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