The Pacific Highway from Sydney to Brisbane is also known as The Legendary Pacific Coast. It’s by far one of the most popular and sought-after road trips in Australia. The 1000km long scenic drive takes you on an adventure through lush national parks, stunning beaches, rolling green hills of the hinterland, and small yet vibrant off the beaten track towns full of charisma and authentic Australian culture.
Sydney
Stop 1
Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and Circular Quay are hubs of waterside life, with the towering, arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Gardens nearby. Sydney Tower’s 268m glass viewing platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city, harbour and suburbs.
Bouddi National Park
Stop 2
Small secluded beaches fringed by rainforests, sandstone cliffs, and coastal heaths blanketed in wildflower colour make this park one of the most diverse and delightful reserves accessible to Sydney. Camping is available at Putty Beach, Little Beach and Tallow Beach. Discover picturesque Maitland Bay and the wreck of the PS Maitland at the heart of the park’s marine protected area. Explore the spectacular Bouddi Coastal Walk with its breathtaking views along the windswept coastline.
Photo via iCentalCoast.com
Port Stephens
Stop 3
Port Stephens is known for its wonderful beaches. There are 26 golden sandy beaches, some sheltered bay beaches that are perfect for families as well as swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. Ocean beaches are sublime, great for surfing and beach walks. Don’t miss One Mile Beach, Box Beach and Fingal Spit if you’re an experienced surfer.
Port Stephens is home to around 150 bottlenose dolphins; you’ll find plenty of tours departing from Nelson Bay that offer dolphin-watch cruises or even kayak trips.
Port Macquarie
Stop 4
Port Macquarie is surrounded by beautiful waterways – the Hastings River, canals, creeks, bays and the Pacific Ocean. The city also has a five-star collection of golden-sand beaches stretching from Port Macquarie Beach to Town Beach and north along the 16-km swathe of North Beach.
Coffs Harbour
Stop 5
Coffs Harbour, in Australia, is a coastal city located on the north coast of New South Wales about 540 km north of Sydney, and 390 km south of Brisbane. The coastal city is home to stretches of golden beach flanked by rainforests. Stop by the iconic Big Banana for a photo, as well as rides, puppet shows and delicious choc-banana sticks.
Lennox Head
Stop 6
Lennox Head is a seaside village in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia, situated on the stretch of coast between Byron Bay and Ballina. with spectacular coastal scenery including a gorgeous lake for kayaking and the beautiful Seven Mile Beach.
Photo by @kirrapendergast (via IG)
Byron Bay
Stop 7
Pristine blue beaches and rolling countryside are what places Byron Bay so high on every tourist’s wish list. Byron is also known for its art, entertainment and locals, with a steady stream of international travellers, especially backpackers, attracted by the laidback atmosphere and the beauty of the location. One of the most popular highlights of the area would have to be the famous lighthouse, where you may spot some of the migrating whales famous in the area. An easy walk to the Cape will allow you to experience the coastal scenery at its best.
Photo by @olivecooke (via IG)
Brisbane
Stop 8
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is a cosmopolitan and lively city that is home to many different types of scenery, including skyscrapers, parkland and even an artificial beach. Brisbane is a river city, although close to the coast, with Brisbane River running through it.
It is surrounded by hills and full of bridges. Brisbane also gives easy access to a number of attractions as well as the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
TIPS
Highways
The highway is partially converted to a motorway and dual carriageway, but some parts are just a single carriageway. Please keep to the speed limit as there are plenty of speed cameras along this highway and also Police patrol. Speed limit is mostly 100 or 80km/hour (110 on Motorways/Freeways)and through towns/villages 50 – 70km/hour.
Stop, revive, survive.
The best places to stop and have a break is at the local pubs and cafes, there are many of these in the small towns. They offer excellent lunches and dinners at very reasonable prices, plus you get to meet the locals with all their personalities and warm characters.
Explore other popular road trips around Sydney
Check out some of our other popular road trips from Sydney
- See Our Sydney to Perth Road Trip Itinerary
- See Our Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip Itinerary
- See Our Sydney to Adelaide Road Trip Itinerary
- See Our Sydney to Byron Bay Road Trip Itinerary
- See Our Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip Itinerary
- See Our Sydney to Cairns Road Trip Itinerary
Looking for more? Check out other Sydney road trips. Find a huge range of different routes and road trip itineraries across Australia.
Get the cheapest rates on Campervan hire in Sydney for your next road trip
Sydney makes for a fantastic starting location for a campervan trip. Ensure you get the lowest price by arranging your affordable campervan hire in Sydney in advance.
FAQs about Sydney to Byron Bay to Brisbane road trip
If you drive through without stopping, a trip from Sydney to Byron Bay and Brisbane takes around 11 hours and 30 minutes. Taking a few days would make this trip more enjoyable. Consider taking a 14-day road trip, stopping at some of the attractions along the route and making the most of your journey.
Many great places to stop, rest, or explore during a road trip from Sydney through Byron Bay to Brisbane. With some epic beaches along the way, bush walks, beach hikes, botanical gardens, and some incredible lakes, you can treat yourself to some of the most beautiful areas on Australia’s East Coast.
Yes, we have facilities in Sydney and Brisbane. So, you can pick up your campervan in Sydney and drop it off in Brisbane when you’re done.
The route from Sydney to Brisbane has some amazing free camping areas for those who want to factor them into their journey. Take a look at some of our guides to free camping areas near Sydney, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, and Brisbane.
For a trip covering both Byron Bay and Brisbane, go between May and September. You’ll get sunny days without the sticky heat, and the coastal drive is much more enjoyable with fewer people on the road.
Yes, we always suggest booking ahead when it comes to campervans. Early bookings often come with better prices, especially outside of peak periods, and it gives you a better shot at getting the setup you want.
You’ll start off with a few tolls leaving Sydney, depending on your route out. But once you’re northbound on the Pacific Highway, there are no toll roads all the way to Byron Bay. If you continue on to Brisbane, you won’t see any until you’re entering the Brisbane area.
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