7 Beautiful Stops on Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip (+Map, Tips)

Post Updated on January 21, 2024

Explore the beauty of NSW in this epic Sydney to Gold Coast road trip

Australia brims with endless sunshine, idyllic beaches, dramatic landscapes, quaint coastal-side towns, and excellent cuisine. The more you explore this country, the more you find adventures within it. It’s a country one can always enjoy, as it presents endless opportunities for you to unravel. And well, if you want to experience a bit of everything in Australia, then there’s no better exploration than Sydney to Gold Coast road trip.

As we continue our set of the Australian Road Trip series, it’s time to discover what Sydney to Gold Coast really offers. This road trip is a part of our ultimate Melbourne to Gold Coast, where we have listed all the possible activities, adventures, and family-based excursions. But, considering that the journey to Gold Coast from Melbourne is pretty long (1704 km), we thought of breaking down this journey into shorter trips. Explore this page to find out more about shorter Australian road trips.

Sydney to Gold Coast road trip is perfect for families who want to see the best of Australia. You’ll find plenty of spectacular stopovers, from classic Sydney highlights to NSW’s most acclaimed wine regions and beaches. The drive from Sydney makes you want to stop at every place to admire the serene beauty of New South Wales. In addition to the places you visit, the accommodation in the region makes it perfect for relaxing your tired body.

And that’s what I am going to cover in this article!

To help you plan a better Sydney to Gold Coast road trip, I’ve listed all the compatible excursions, must-see places to visit, popular things to do, and insider tips. You’ll also find a list of recommended hotels throughout your trip.

Contents hide

1 Planning Tips for Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip

1.1 Driving Times for Sydney to Gold Coast

1.2 How to Rent a Car in Australia

1.3 Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip Map

2 The Best Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip Stops

2.1 Explore Highlights of Sydney

2.2 Discover Hunter Valley

2.3 Visit Palm Beach

2.4 Explore Newcastle

2.5 Go Adventurous at Port Stephens

2.6 Spend a Full Day at Byron Bay

2.7 Explore Gold Coast Highlights

3 Lonely Planet Guidebooks

5 Further Readings & Resources

Planning Tips for Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip

Driving Times for Sydney to Gold Coast

The drive from Sydney to Gold Coast is a total of 845 km. If you were to drive non-stop without any stopovers, then the approximate time to reach Gold Coast is 8hr 55mins. However, a direct journey is not recommended, and it’s best to include stops throughout your entire road trip.

There are multiple routes to Gold Coast: Pacific Highway, New England Highway, and M1. We prefer the Pacific Highway route for this journey and most of our NSW road trips. This stretch is more scenic and offers more viewpoints and better attractions and experiences compared to the other two.

Here’s a quick glance at suggested & alternative routes & their times:

Via New England Highway/A15: 11hr 09mins (954kms) – alternative driving route for Sydney to Gold Coast.
Via the Pacific Highway/A1: 8hr 55mins (845kms) – the recommended route.
Via M1: 11hr 15mins (977kms) – longest route

How to Rent a Car in Australia

For road trips within any country, you’d need a car or a suitable campervan. And ideally, you’d want to ensure that you choose the right vehicle for your entire road trip. For visitors who tour Australia, I highly recommend Rentalcars.com. I’ve booked my rental cars from them and their service is remarkable. You get a good variety of cars to choose from, so you can always handpick the one most suitable for your journey. Furthermore, their rental rates are much more reasonable compared to other operators.

Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip Map

Here’s a direct driving route map to reach Gold Coast:

The Best Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip Stops

Explore Highlights of Sydney

Sydney – home to some of Australia’s most iconic settings – truly sets the tone for having a perfect Aussie trip. The charming beauty of its natural and man-made attractions impulses the vibe for all tourists visiting this city for the first time. The city has been a playground for families, bachelors, backpackers and all tourists alike – making it an ideal spot to start any Australian road trip.

The cosmopolitan city of Sydney is surrounded by beaches, towering skyscrapers, unique architecture, acclaimed wine regions, award-winning restaurants & bars and designer boutique shops. The diversity of experiences this city holds is genuinely magnificent, giving every visitor their purpose to discover the city independently.

Sydney’s endless list of experiences enables you to dive right into the action of exploring the best activities & tours. From visiting landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House to hopping onto new rooftop bars and pubs – the city spoils you with everything it has!

Some of the best recommended activities to do in Sydney includes:

Explore Sydney’s famous beaches: Undoubtedly, the best thing to do in Sydney is to relax on one of the beaches. The glistening blue waters splashing up against the golden sand stretches make you want to hit the waters. Swimmers and adventure junkies often find themselves enjoying a variety of water sports in Sydney. Since surfing is so prevalent in Australia – you’ll find tons of surfing coaching classes on these beaches. If this is your first time exploring Sydney and you need to decide which ones to visit, check out Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, and Palm Beach.

Try this adventure | Manly and Shelly Beach Snorkelling Tour

Visit the Rocks: The Rocks are one of the most beautiful parts of the city. Being the oldest region, this area features small narrow lanes, striking architecture, sandstone churches, and old colonial buildings. Even if you stroll between these lanes, you’ll find a unique display of souvenir shops and some of Sydney’s oldest pubs. The Rocks are also known for its weekend markets. So, do check out their local stalls and artisan products.

Explore Sydney’s Museums: Like any other city, Sydney also has many museums. Interestingly, all the Sydney museums are free, so you could spend an entire day browsing through the collection at each museum. Some of the notable ones which you should definitely visit include the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia at The Rocks.

Where to stay in Sydney, Australia

Luxury Hotel | Rydges World Square
Mid-range | The Bayswater Sydney

Discover Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley in Sydney is one of Australia’s most premier wine regions. It’s the ultimate day-trip destination that rewards you with award-winning wineries, sample wine-tasting, classic Australian cuisine, luxurious accommodation, and magical events & festivals. All you got to do, is travel two hours north of Sydney to experience the beauty of Hunter Valley.

Exploring Hunter Valley needs time, as you could spend hours and hours browsing through the cellar doors yet feel you’ve barely scratched the surface. Consider spending at least one or two days exploring all of the region’s highlights.

You should definitely be trying out these activities in Hunter Valley –

Wine tasting: Wine tasting is the essence of visiting any acclaimed wine region in Australia. At Hunter Valley, you’ll find more than 150 cellar doors to visit. Of course, it’s challenging to cover all of them over a weekend. Still, you could explore some of the well-known ones – Usher Tinkler Wines, Scarborough on Hermitage (popular wines offered with cheese platter), and Audrey Wilkinson cellar door (you’ll need to book this in advance).

Note: Some of the cellar doors in Hunter Valley charge a small fee for tasting wines. Read more about Hunter Valley and its charges.

Explore the beautiful gardens: Apart from the wineries, Hunter Valley boasts 14 hectares of splendid manicured gardens. To explore them, you have a designated 8km walking track. Most of these gardens are themed so that each individual differs in showcasing their artistry.

Glamping at Hunter Valley: Glamping in Australia is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful yet underrated experiences. Hunter Valley is home to unique eco-friendly houses with a fully-equipped kitchens, open glass windows, and pretty decor. You can book a couple of nights here to witness the charismatic beauty of Hunter Valley.

Take a scenic helicopter flight: Flying over Hunter Valley is one of the most incredible things you’d ever do! Although these aerial tours are expensive, they are literally worthwhile. From above, you can catch amazing sights of the structured vineyards amidst the rolling slopes of the valley.

Where to stay in Hunter Valley, Sydney

Mid-range Hotel | Hunter Oasis
Budget Stays | Cumberland Motor Inn, Abermain Hotel

Visit Palm Beach

I specifically included Palm Beach in our Sydney to Gold Coast road trip stops because it really needs a special mention. Considering that most tourists always prefer to visit Bondi or Manly Beach, Palm Beach could be a great alternative for those who want to beat the crowd.

Palm Beach, or ‘Palmy’ commonly called by locals, is located at the northernmost point of Sydney. Located at the end of a peninsula, the beach has been a favourite homestay point for wealthy business people and celebrities. Around Palm Beach, plenty of attractions are worth checking out – Barrenjoy Lighthouse, Whale Beach, Avalon Beach, and North Bilgola Lookout. The one which I enjoyed the most was Mona Vale Beach. Featuring a rock pool overlooking jaw-dropping the Pacific Ocean, the spot has become an Instagram-worthy stop point.

The last thing you want to do at Palm Beach is to take lunch at the Boathouse. Located near Governor Phillip Park, the Boathouse has become a landmark for localities living near Palm Beach. This place has also been featured in many TV shows and series. Hence, the popularity.

Accommodation Guide | The best beach-facing accommodation in Palm Beach

Explore Newcastle

It’s time to say goodbye to Sydney finally! We move ahead with our journey to our first stop-over point – Newcastle. Surrounded by golden beaches, breathtaking suburbs, and a vast coastline, Newcastle is one of the best weekend getaway spots from Sydney. Located just two hours north of Sydney, this place is fantastic for those willing to spend a few nights.

Newcastle offers a perfect blend of laidback coastal life with a suburb that’s bustling with lively restaurants & cafes. The open-air markets, weekend street events, calendar festivals, and unique outdoor activities make Newcastle a must-visit place in NSW.

Furthermore, the outdoor experiences and attractions that Newcastle boasts are simply astounding! There’s so much to do here that you ultimately need an itinerary to plan your schedule.

Below I have recommended some of the top things to do (especially for first-time visitors) in Newcastle –

Checkout Newcastle Breakwall: You’ll often find visitors taking a stroll along the Newcastle Breakwall, as it gives a full panoramic view of the coastline. Just be mindful of the weather and avoid this place during high tide, as the waves can slam the rocks aggressively.

Explore Bathers Way Coastal Walk: No trip to Newcastle is complete without exploring its famous 5km trail – Bathers Way Coastal Walk. It’s one of the most beautiful stretches in NSW, offering some of the best coastline views. If you start your walk from Nobby Headland, it will take approximately 2 hours to reach Glenrock Reserve. But I recommend breaking your journey into several parts to admire the viewpoints.

Visit Blackbutt Nature Reserve: There’s nothing more peaceful than experiencing Australian native wildlife in their natural habitat. If you love doing that, head to Blackbutt Nature Reserve – home to plenty of unique animal species like kangaroos, emus, koalas, wombats, and snakes. Overall, it’s a decent experience for visitors travelling with kids.

Where to stay in Newcastle, NSW

Luxury Hotel | Crystalbrook Kingsley
Budget Hotels | Aspire Newcastle, Fern Bay Motel

Go Adventurous at Port Stephens

Port Stephens is a culmination of giant moving dunes, a unique range of wildlife experiences (including the rarest Australian species), striking long coastlines, gorgeous hiking trails, and picturesque beaches. It’s a perfect seaside getaway for those looking to experience the best activities in a single day.

Visiting Port Stephens is one of the highlights of our Sydney to Gold Coast road trip. There’s a plethora of things to do here, and it could overwhelm you if you’re visiting this place for the first time. For starters, below are some of the ‘must-do’ activities in Port Stephens –

Try sandboarding in Port Stephens: The diversity of landscapes in Australia can be found right here in Port Stephens as you discover the most extensive dune in Southern Hemisphere. The Birubi Beach in Port Stephens offers a mini-dessert arena to enjoy sandboarding and quad-biking. You can also kick off your journey from Stockton Sand Dunes, which offers even more enjoyable activities.

Book a guided tour | Port Stephens: Unlimited Sandboarding & 4WD Sand Dune Tour

Try local cuisine at Murray’s Brewing Co: With all the sandboarding in Port Stephens, you might have a worked-up appetite. I recommend visiting Murray’s Brewing Co. It’s one of the best places in Port Stephens to try out local seafood, woodfire pizzas, and delicious ciders.

Stroll around at Stockton Beach: Port Stephens is home to many amazing beaches that look absolutely jaw-dropping during sunsets. Each beach has its peculiarity. But then comes Stockton Beach, which tops the chart in many ways. Known for its exceptional 32km stretch, Stockton Beach harbours giant dunes, wrecked ships, and fantastic walking trails. Even if you had to explore, this beach makes it an excellent place to stroll.

Spend a Full Day at Byron Bay

Byron Bay truly defines the word ‘coastal paradise’. Being one of Australia’s most important tourist towns, Byron Bay has genuinely shaken off the hipster culture in the country. With millions of travellers flocking to this place annually, the town has become widely popular among all age groups to come and make unforgettable memories.

Located to the north of NSW, Byron Bay is surrounded by golden beaches, a remarkable coastline, great vantage points, scenic walking paths & trails, and adventurous outdoor experiences. The amount of things you can do in Byron Bay is limitless. And honestly, it doesn’t matter if you spend a whole day or an entire week – you’ll never get enough of Byron Bay.

Byron Bay packs an abundance of natural beauty in its tiny-sized town. You need a reasonable amount of time to explore everything within Byron Bay. But, even if you’ve got a whole weekend to spend – you could get familiarized with this town’s amazing highlights.

Featured Blog | Byron Bay Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days in Byron Bay

Below are some of my favourite things to do in Byron Bay:

Visit Arakwal National Park: Just a 5-minute drive from the town leads you to one of the stunning places of Byron Bay – Arakwal National Park. Surrounded by hills, bushes, dunes, and a coastline – a park is a heavenly place for those looking to unwind from a bustling crowd. The national park is constantly maintained by the state of New South Wales and by the Arakwal Aboriginal Community. While exploring the park, remember to visit Tallow Beach – one of the underrated beaches of Byron Bay. The sunset views from the coastline of this beach are genuinely striking.

Visit the Iconic Lighthouse: Cape Byron Lighthouse stands as a recognized landmark of New South Wales. Perched atop the edge of Cape Byron, this Lighthouse marks the easternmost point of Australia. You could only imagine the views from here, overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. On one side of the Lighthouse, you’ll often spot dolphins and turtles popping out of the water, while on the other side, you get to see the vastness of Byron Bay Hinterland.

Explore the Farmers’ Market: Every Thursday from 8-11 AM, the town hosts weekly farmers’ market for travellers and locals to explore. The focus is primarily on local goods the farmers produce, but there are other items that you can browse through. However, what’s more exciting is that these markets also produce epic events and live music shows. Overall, the market is a great way to meet locals and enjoy great music.

Explore Gold Coast Highlights

From surf breaks to theme parks and wild rainforests to towering skylines, Gold Coast is purely known for its laidback, subtropical climate. Often, you’ll see tons of backpackers on Gold Coast basing themselves to travel to other regions with Australia. Commonly, Surfers Paradise is well-known amongst these backpackers and is often crowded with general tourists. Yet, despite the buzzing crowd – Gold Coast primarily makes up to visitors with its sublime beauty and charming attractions.

And with Gold Coast, you’ve finally reached the end of this road trip. However, there’s a lot to see and do – so ensure that you stay atleast an overnight to explore what Gold Coast is all about.

Our top picks for Gold Coast include –

Visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: Ideal for families travelling with their children, a visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary will immerse you into the Australian native wildlife the country boasts. It’s one of the exciting ways to get up close and watch these natural habitats doing their activities. With over 70 acres of land, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to unique Australian natives, including dingos, emus, wombats and aviaries.

Book now | A guided tour to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Explore Surfers Paradise: As the name suggests, it’s a place where people surf or learn to surf. This area might be jammed with tourists, but you can’t deny that you’ll find the best surfing spots here. If you’re a beginner or want to learn surfing, you can start immediately! You’ll be able to find cheap surfing lessons up and down the coast, where the group teaches you basic foundations. The prices for these lesson starts from 65 AUD.

Visit SkyPoint Climb: Only if you dare to venture, Gold Coast has got adrenaline activities stored for you. Located on top of the Q1 building, the SkyPoint Climb offers a thrilling experience of standing 270 meters above sea level. The best part? You get the best viewing experience of the entire coastline.

Where to stay in Gold Coast, Australia

Luxury Hotels | Meriton Suites Surfers Paradise, Meriton Suites Broadbeach
Budget | Burleigh Gold Coast Motel, Sunshine Beach Resort

Lonely Planet Guidebooks

Lonely Planet is a leading pioneer in curating travel guides for various destinations. I simply love the in-depth content they publish in their guidebooks, which ultimately makes it easy for travelers to read. I have been using their guidebooks for all my travel-related essentials, and it has helped me to a great extent. I highly recommend using the below books for reference during your Sydney to Gold Coast road trip.

Popular Sydney to Gold Coast Guided Tours

The below-guided tours & excursions will add an extra bit of adventure to your travels. With our partnership with GetYourGuide, we bring out exclusive activities that will totally elevate your road trip experience. Furthermore, their day-trip packages & entrance fees are discounted to help your travel in a budget-friendly way.

7 Beautiful Stops on Sydney to Gold Coast Road Trip