There are so many amazing road trips you could choose to experience in Australia. This particular road trip is perfect if you want to experience the best that the East Coast has to offer. It takes you along stunning coastlines, via lush National Parks and through three great Australian States. Here’s a rundown of our suggested route, things to see and places to stop on the way.
Brisbane to Byron
Stop 1
Time: 2 hours
Distance: 160 km
Pick up your campervan or car hire out of Brisbane and hit the road. Get ready to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and hit the beach at Byron via the Gold Coast.
Byron is Australia’s easternmost town, famous for its great surfing and scuba diving spots, excellent beaches, lush rainforests, great regional dining and new-age retreats. You won’t want to leave. Â
Byron to Port Macquarie via Coffs Harbour
Stop 2 & 3
Time: 4 hour 45 mins drive time
Distance: 380 km
However, leave you must – but don’t worry there are plenty more amazing beaches waiting for you! Head south down the coast in the direction of Port Macquarie. This large coastal town is a great to place to stock up on essentials and park up for a few nights.
From here make your way down the coast via the coastal city of Coffs Harbour, another great beach destination. Check out the Big Banana monument and amusement park or visit Solitary Islands Marine Park located in the waters of Coffs Harbour, it’s home to abundant wildlife, seasonal whales and coral reefs.
Port Macquarie to Sydney via Port Stephens
Stop 4 & 5
Time: Â 5 – 6 hours
Distance: 300 km
The drive down to Sydney via the Central Coast is an easy one. If you want to stop off on the way then consider pulling off the highway to visit some of the local beaches towns such as Avoca, Terrigal and The Entrance.
When you arrive in Sydney there is lots to do – so find your nearest campsite and park up.
Here are some suggestions of places to stay that are close to the city. If you’re looking for a true Sydneysider experience check out our guide on how to explore the city like a local here.
Sydney to Canberra via the Southern Highlands
Stop 6 & 7
Approx drive time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Distance: 286 km Â
The traffic heading south out of the city can be heavy so avoid travelling onwards at peak times. As the buildings thin out and you start to see more green settle back into the journey as you travel through the beautiful southern highlands.
Some of the best places to stop in this area are the quaint traditional country towns of Berrima, Bowral and Mittagong. But there’s more to the Southern Highland than antique shops and coffee shops. The Southern Highlands is also home to some stunning natural landscapes and things to see, like the Fitzroy Falls, Kangaroo Valley, Wombeyan Caves and the Carrington Falls. There’s also lots of wildlife around so keep your eyes open for kangaroos and wallabies.
Plan to spend a day or two in Canberra soaking up the culture at one of the many national galeries, or book yourself on a tour of Parliament House.
Canberra to Falls Creek
Stop 8
Approx drive time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Distance: 457 km
The next stop after Canberra is Falls Creek. This alpine town in North Eastern Victoria is located in the Alpine National Park and offers visitors an activity packed stay all year round. There’s skiing and snowsports in the winter, or mountain biking, kayaking, hiking in the summer.
There are lots of campgrounds in this area with a variety of facilities – however, they do get booked up in summer if you can try to book in advance.
Falls Creek to Melbourne
Stop 9
Approx drive time: 4 hours 45 minutes
Distance: 386 km
The M31 Highway will take you to your final destination on this trip, Melbourne. The coastal capital of Victoria does not disappoint. Melbourne has been voted as the world’s most livable city multiple times, so make sure you plan in some time when you arrive to discover its combination of world-class dining, art galleries, home grown fashion and sports events. Â
Explore other popular road trips around Brisbane
Check out some of our other popular road trips from Brisbane
- See Our Brisbane to Dubbo Road Trip Itinerary
- See Our Brisbane to Canberra Road Trip Itinerary
- See Our Brisbane to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary
- See Our Brisbane to Darwin Road Trip Itinerary
- See Our Brisbane to Sydney Coastal Road Trip Itinerary
- See Our Brisbane to Sunshine Caost Road Trip Itinerary
Looking for more? Check out other Brisbane road trips. Find a huge range of different routes and road trip itineraries across Australia.
Get the cheapest rates on Campervan hire in Brisbane for your next road trip
For an affordable road trip, securing a cheap campervan rental in Brisbane early is key. As demand rises, so do the prices -so book sooner rather than later!
FAQs about Brisbane to Melbourne road trip
The journey from Brisbane to Melbourne is roughly 2100 km in distance, which would take between 17 and 23 hours depending on the route you take. We suggest taking an 8-day trip down the coast, stopping at some of the best towns and cities along the way and making the most of your trip.
There are loads of places to stop along the way to Melbourne from Brisbane. From hitting the beach in Byron Bay via the Gold Coast to checking out the whales in Coffs Harbour, there’s a lot that can keep you busy for 8 days. If you’re wanting a stop further away from Brisbane, Sydney has a ton of attractions and some epic beaches that you can spend time on.
Yes, you can pick up your campervan from our Brisbane pick-up facility and drop it off at our Melbourne facility.
There are many excellent free campgrounds along the Brisbane to Melbourne Route. These are our guides to some of the free campgrounds near Brisbane, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Sydney, Canberra, Shepparton, and Melbourne.
Usually, the best time to take a trip down to Melbourne from Brisbane would be in Autumn or Spring when the weather is milder and more pleasant, and there are fewer crowds.
Absolutely, we always suggest reserving your campervan ahead of time since there are usually great deals available during the off-peak season. This not only saves you money but also guarantees that you’ll get the campervan you prefer.
You might hit a toll in and around the Brisbane metro area, like the Gateway Motorway or Logan Motorway. However, once you’re out of Brisbane, there won’t be any tolls for the rest of the trip unless you go through Sydney. If you take the inland route (via Newell or New England Highways), the drive to Melbourne is toll-free after leaving Brisbane.
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