Byron Bay to Noosa road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Byron Bay to Noosa drive: Kingscliff to Coolangatta
Things to do in Tweed Heads, a little further along, include crab-catching adventures and Tweed River cruises.
Tweed Heads accommodation favourites are the well-rated Tweed Heads Vegas Motel and Arabella Motor Inn.
Coolangatta is the first town on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
Things to do in Coolangatta include walking from Point Danger to Snapper Rocks and throwing yourself into surfing lessons.
Gold Coast sights and attractions
The Pacific Motorway, however, runs west of Coolangatta, Kirra Beach, the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Currumbin and Palm Beach.
Most of the things to do on the Gold Coast, such as jet boat rides, sunset cruises, parasailing and amphibious vehicle tours, require a short deviation towards the coast.
7 Gold Coast experiences worth booking in advance
- See waterfalls and natural wonders – on a full day Springbrook National Park tour.
- Be awed by massive migrating humpbacks – on a great value whale-watching cruise.
- Feast as you explore the Gold Coast waterways – on a dinner cruise.
- Kayak with dolphins and snorkel with hundred of sub-tropical fish – on the same tour.
- Enjoy high speed thrills along the waterways – on a jet boat adventure.
- Glide above the beautiful hinterland – on a serene hot air balloon flight.
- Taste the best Scenic Rim wines – on an indulgent Tamborine Mountain wine tour, with lunch.
Gold Coast accommodation is mainly apartments, but top Surfers Paradise hotels include the luxurious Q1 Resort and Spa and the budget-friendly Vibe Hotel.
Stay near the motorway and you can enjoy the David Fleay Wildlife Park on Tallebudgera Creek or Nerang National Park.
Click through to the next section: Oxenford to Brisbane.