Selfdrive from Sydney to Brisbane

Eastcoast Popular (7 days, 965km / 2wd)
One of our most popular self-drive routes is the one along Australia's East Coast. It takes about 3 weeks and it is probably the best routing for "first time" visitors to Australia. We suggest you stay a few days before and after the self-drive in Sydney and Brisbane. Another possibility is combining this self-drive with another program.

Inclusive are car rental for the entire duration of the self-drive and all hotel accommodation along the route. 

You will enjoy the day to day driving program, as we have measured the driving distances per day for optimal sightseeing. This way you are sure to see all the highlights along the route and use your time in the most optimal way.

Sydney to Brisbane

  • Via Pacific Hwy (coastal route)
  • Distance: 965 km 
  • Non-stop travelling time: 14.5 hrs
  • Most direct route 
  • Optimal from June to December 
  • Watch for cane trains north of Grafton

Day 1: Sydney - Pokolbin (Lower Hunter Valley): (180km) You can pick up your rental car in the morning, either at the airport or in the city. Leave Sydney over the Harbour Bridge and follow the Pacific Highway. The first half hour you will drive through the northern suburbs of Sydney, but as soon as you have left the city, the scenery will change. Make some photo stops along the way and perhaps take even a swim at one of the many beaches. You'll probably arrive early in Pokolbin (near Cessnock). There is still time to visit some of the wineries nearby. A good choice is the Jacobs Creek Winery.

Day 2: Hunter Valley: Entire day to explore the Hunter Valley and its wineries. 

Day 3: Hunter Valley - Coffs Harbour: (ca. 450km). Today we're heading north! Get back to the Pacific Highway and head north. You may like to make some stops along the route, as there is enough to see. Take the detour to Elisabeth Bay (turnoff east at Bulahdelah). There are nice beaches and interesting towns on the way. Have lunch for instance in Port Macquarie. You'll arrive in Coffs Harbour in the afternoon, time for a stroll on the beach. Perhaps have a look at the Big Banana Leisure Park. Overnight: 1 night at All Seasons Premier Pacific Resort (MC) or Pelican Beach Resort (FC)

Day 4: Coffs Harbour - Tweed Valley: (ca. 295km): During today's drive you will see the landscape change, it gets warmer and more exotic. Head straight for Byron Bay, the most eastern point of the Australian continent. Climb the lighthouse, take a stroll on the beach and maybe spot some seals and dolphins. Byron Bay is also a pleasant town to have lunch. Continue in the afternoon to the Tweed Valley. If you are early enough, take a walk in the forest at Mount Warning (turnoff west at Murwillumbah). You will stay for the night in Tweed Valley, either before Tweed Heads (Treetops Lodge (FC)) or in Tweed Heads (Bayswater Motor Inn (MC)).

Day 5: Tweed Valley - Lamington NP: (ca. 100km). Take a leisurely morning swim in the Pacific Ocean. Today, there is only a short drive on the menu. Have a look at Surfers Paradise, the Miami Beach of Australia. There is some good shopping and dining in "Surfers". If you like the roulette, don't forget the Conrad Jupiters Casino. If wave-surfing is more your style, the beaches along the Gold Coast won't bore you a second. Just make sure you head in time to Lamington National Park, as your bungalow is waiting for you here. From Surfers Paradise to Binna Burra Mountain Lodge it is about a one hour beautiful, but curly drive.

Day 6: Lamington NP: Lamington National Park is one of the most beautiful parks of Australia. You can enjoy the day on your own pace. The Tempered rainforest hold many giant Kauri trees, but also plenty of other native Australian trees and flowers. There are many walking-tracks leading from the lodge deeper into the park, along waterfalls and overhanging rock faces, The area is quite mountainous, so take good walking shoes. For the non-walkers there is an interesting alternative, drive up and down to the O'Reilley's Mountain Lodge. This lodge lies on the western side of the park, about a one and a half hours drive from Binna Burra Lodge. But the drive is rewarding, between the two lodges is a deep gorge and the road offers many beautiful panoramas over the area.

Day 7: Lamington NP - Sunshine Coast: (ca. 150km): After you have left the Lamington mountains, take the Pacific Highway from the Gold Coast up to Brisbane. 

If you don't intent to stop in Brisbane, just follow the highway 1 up north to the Sunshine Coast (Caloundra). From Brisbane to Cairns the Highway 1 is named Bruce Highway. Around Brisbane it has become a real busy freeway, further from Brisbane there is a lot less traffic and the Bruce Highway will be more of a two-lane road across villages and towns. Generally you may count on a driving-speed of 100 km/hour. Click on Eastcoast Spectacular for a continued description of the selfdrive along the Australian eastcoast.
More Information: