Byron Bay to Noosa road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops

Byron Bay to Noosa stops: Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast

Departing north from Brisbane, the Byron Bay to Noosa drive passes Burpengary and Caboolture. The formidable views from the Wild Horse Mountain scenic lookout are next to the highway, but a short detour towards Mount Ngungun and Mount Tibrogargan in the Glass House Mountains brings more rewards. Australia Zoo is also nearby.

12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now

Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour.
Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades.
Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour.
Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight.
Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour.
Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour.
Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.

The Sunshine Coast region offers a wealth of attractions. Dicky Beach, Bulcock Beach, Kings Beach and the Pumicestone Passage may lure you to Caloundra. Mooloolaba, meanwhile, offers submarine tours, HMAS Brisbane wreck dives and the Sea Life Aquarium.

The Pumicestone Passage at Golden Beach, Caloundra, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Bruce Highway to Noosa

The turn off the Bruce Highway for Noosa, however, comes just after the Aussie World theme park.

There are plenty of possible stops just off the Sunshine Motorway. The Cotton Tree Pool, Mudjimba Beach, Marcoola and Mount Coolum National Park are all tempting.

Turn off the motorway at Peregian Springs, then head along the coast via Peregian Beach, Sunrise Beach and Sunshine Beach into your destination – Noosa Heads.

Get the best out of Noosa – 6 sensational experiences to look into

Cruise the mirror-like waterways of the Noosa Everglades – a glorious glide through stunning natural landscapes.
4WD along the beaches – AND kayak with dolphins on a day tour full of easy adventure.
Take a dolphin-watching safari down the Noosa River.
Have a go at kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or waterbiking.
Take a tasting tour of the local craft breweries and distilleries – find out how the locals have devoted themselves to quality.
Get standing on your board by the end of a beginners’ surfing lesson.

Things to do in Noosa include shopping on Hastings Street, surfing at Little Cove or spotting koalas in Noosa National Park.

If I can do just one thing in Noosa, what should it be?

The Great Beach Drive – a four wheel drive adventure up Teewah Beach towards Double Island Point – is fantastic on its own. To go kayaking with dolphins as part of the same trip makes for a genuinely superb day out.

Take it as a massive personal recommendation – the Great Beach Drive plus Kayaking With Dolphins day tour should be at the top of your Noosa wishlist.

For other activities, try taking a cruise through the Noosa Everglades, a whale-watching tour, a beginners’ surfing lesson or viewing aquatic life from a speedboat.

Top Noosa accommodation choices include Seahaven Noosa, Habitat Noosa and Sofitel Noosa.