Sydney to Brisbane Pacific Coast

The classic east-coast run from Sydney to Brisbane follows the Pacific Highway through Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay, then on to the Gold Coast. Most of it is dual carriageway, so you can drive fast between stops and take the old coast roads to quiet villages. Four days is comfortable.

The stops

1. Start

   Sydney

2. City

   Newcastle

   Surf beaches and the baths

3. Beach

   Port Stephens

   Dolphin cruises and sand dunes

4. Town

   Port Macquarie

   Koala Hospital and coastal walk

5. Town

   Bellingen

   Short detour inland

6. Town

   Coffs Harbour

   Big Banana, jetty and whale watching

7. Town · Overnight

   Yamba

   Quiet beach town at the Clarence River

8. Town

   Byron Bay

   Cape Byron lighthouse and beaches

9. City

   Gold Coast

   Beach and theme parks

10. City

    Brisbane

    End of the run

11. Finish

    Brisbane

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Port Macquarie

  Holiday parks near the beach

• Night 2

  Coffs Harbour

  Beachside holiday parks

• Night 3

  Byron Bay

  Holiday parks and hostels in town

When to go

Year round; avoid summer holiday peaks and whale season in Jun to Nov is a bonus

On the road

Mostly dual carriageway. Flooding in northern NSW can cut the highway; check Live Traffic NSW before you travel.