Adelaide to Byron Bay road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time

Adelaide to Byron Bay road trip: Dubbo to Coolah

Leaving Dubbo along the Golden Highway/B84, the first realistic stop is an hour away in Dunedoo. There’s nothing to get massively excited about here, but there are a few places to eat, plus a swimming pool and golf course. The highlight for visitors is likely to be the silo art – massive murals have been painted on Dunedoo’s grain silos.

The Dubbo to Tamworth leg of the Adelaide to Byron Bay drive then continues towards Coolah along Black Stump Way.

From Coolah, you can potentially make a detour into Coolah Tops National Park a potential detour from here. There are several waterfalls, lookouts, walking trails and campgrounds to enjoy.

Adelaide to Byron Bay drive: Coolah to Tamworth

Otherwise, continue along the uneventful Black Stump Way before eventually turning right down Purlewaugh Road. This becomes Coonabarabran Road and passes the Spring Ridge Rifle Range.

Just after the Mooki River crossing in Caroona, you’ll need to branch left onto Waverley Road, cross the Kamilaroi Highway and continue east along Gap Road.

This will take you to Werris Creek, arguably the most interesting town between Dubbo and Tamworth.

The Rail Journeys Museum here is devoted to all things train travel. There’s also the Australian Railway Monument, which pays tribute to 2,700 railway workers who died in the course of duty.

Werris Creek Road will take you north-east into guitar-twanging Tamworth.

Things to do in Tamworth include the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Tamworth Powerstation Museum, which explores electricity and electronics. For natural beauty in the vicinity, try Chaffey Dam near Nundle.

Click through to the next section: Tamworth to Uralla.