Brisbane to Byron Bay: How long does the drive take?

The Brisbane to Byron Bay drive takes just under two hours. It’s 166km from Brisbane CBD, and 174km from Brisbane Airport to Byron Bay – but the journey takes roughly the same time.

This independent, Australia travel expert-researched guide is aimed at travellers planning a road trip itinerary from Brisbane to Byron Bay in New South Wales. To just book Byron Bay accommodation, go here, and to look for the best tours and activities, go here.

If you can do just one thing in Byron Bay, make it kayaking with dolphins. The scenery’s beautiful, and you can get much closer to the dolphins than you would on a boat tour. BOOK HERE.

To learn more about the Brisbane to Byron Bay drive, including the distance, driving time and the best stops along the route, read on…

Planning a Brisbane to Byron Bay road trip

Popular resort town Byron Bay may be in the same state as Sydney, but it’s much closer to Queensland capital Brisbane.

Book in advance for the best Byron Bay accommodation deals.
and reserve your place on the top byron bay tours and experiences.

If the plan is to holiday in Byron Bay, you’re far better off flying into Brisbane Airport than driving up from Sydney. The drive from Sydney to Byron Bay takes at least seven hours.

Brisbane to Byron Bay drive: Distance and driving time

The Brisbane to Byron Bay drive is 166km long, if measured from Brisbane CBD. That means a Brisbane to Byron Bay driving time of around one hour and 52 minutes.

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.

The drive from Brisbane Airport to Byron Bay is slightly longer in distance, as the airport is to the north of the city centre. That Brisbane Airport to Byron Bay drive is 174km long, but takes approximately the same time as going from the city. This is due to faster roads and less traffic.

Brisbane to Byron Bay bus

Of course, you don’t need to drive from Brisbane from Byron Bay at all. There are shuttle bus services connecting the two destinations. Byron Easy Bus runs direct buses from Brisbane Airport to Byron Bay, costing $62 at time of writing.

The Brisbane 2 Byron Express Bus also does the Brisbane to Byron Bay drive. This costs $45 from Brisbane city, and $60 from Brisbane Airport. This service takes about two hours from the city, but longer from the airport as it stops in the city en route. Expect the drive from Brisbane to Byron Bay to take three hours from Brisbane domestic airport, or two hours and 45 minutes from Brisbane international airport.

The vast bulk of the driving time from Brisbane to Byron Bay is spent on the M1. The route goes past the Gold Coast, then passes through Tweed Heads and Burleigh Heads on the way. You can detour to Tweed Coast beach towns such as Cabarita Beach if you so desire.

Cape Byron Lighthouse in Byron Bay - the most easterly point in Australia — Walking to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, at the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, is one of the best things to do in Byron Bay. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

There are plenty of things to do in Byron Bay once in location. For starters, you can learn to surf, chill out on Belongil Beach, take a night vision wildlife tour or go kayaking with dolphins. The latter is bookable online.

8 amazing Byron Bay experiences worth booking today

Experience the region’s glorious natural landscapes from above – on a hot air balloon ride.
Go kayaking with dolphins – and get much closer to them than on a boat tour 🐬.
Learn to surf – on a half day surf lesson 🏄‍♀️.
Discover the local secrets – let a guide show you the hidden beaches and waterfalls 🏖️.
Go on a three habitat wildlife safari – spotting koalas, kangaroos and flying foxes 🐨🦘.
See glowworms light up the World Heritage-listed rainforest.
Explore the Byron Bay hinterland – including the rainforest walk to Minyon Falls.
Taste craft beers and spirits – on a tour of Byron’s breweries and distilleries 🍻.
Also try… Skydives | Sea-kayaking | Whale-watching.

9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.