Byron Bay to Tweed Heads: Distance, drive time & road trip stops
The Byron Bay to Tweed Heads drive covers a 66km distance in a driving time of around 45 minutes. Good road trip stops include Brunswick Heads Beach and Tropical Fruit World.
The Byron Bay to Tweed Heads drive takes you from the most popular tourist town in the Northern Rivers region to the most northerly town on the New South Wales North Coast. It’s a relatively short drive by Australian standards, but there are a few good attractions along the way if you fancy a mini road trip.
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.
Byron Bay to Tweed Heads distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Byron Bay to Tweed Heads is 66km. That makes for a driving time of around 45 minutes.
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.
The Byron Bay to Tweed Heads drive leaves Byron Bay past Belongil Beach and the Tyagarah Nature Reserve. You’ll join the Pacific Highway in Ewingsdale, then skirt west of several excellent beaches. Brunswick Heads Beach is probably the best of these.
Here’s why you should stay in Brunswick Heads – four fantastic experiences
- Take a snorkelling tour to the protected subtropical paradise – at the marine life-packed Julian Rocks.
- Take an eco-cruise through the rainforest – in the day time or on a sunset cruise.
- Watch migrating humpback whales between June and October – on a whale-watching cruise with a marine biologist guide.
- Take a nature kayaking tour along the river – choose from sunrise, daytime and sunset tours.
Byron Bay to Tweed Heads road trip attractions
Further along, Mooball National Park is to the west of the highway, while Pottsville, Hastings Point and Cabarita Beach are on the coast.
Just off the highway, Tropical Fruit World in Duranbah is good fun. It showcases all manner of weird and wonderful fruits, while the farm tour includes an animal park and boat cruise.
Alternatively, head slightly inland for rum tasting at the Husk Distillery in Tumbulgum.
Byron Bay to Tweed Heads drive: Kingscliff and Tweed Heads
The highway heads back towards the coast at Kingscliff. Here, Watersports Guru hires out kayaks that you can paddle as far south as Cudgen Lake.
Top Kingscliff accommodation options
The best places to stay in Kingscliff are:
- For a Balinese-style resort: Oaks Santai Casuarina Resort.
- For a kid-friendly holiday park: Ingenia Holidays Kingscliff.
- For suites with a lagoon pool: Mantra on Salt Beach.
- For good value by the beach: The Blue Water.
You’ll then cross the Tweed River and drive into Tweed Heads.
Five fabulous Tweed Coast experiences to at least consider booking
- Tweed River lunch cruise – with wildlife viewing in the rainforest.
- Crab-catching tour in Tweed Heads.
- Farm tour at Tropical Fruit World – with wildlife spotting cruise.
- Progressive four course meal across four top Kingscliff restaurants.
- Husk Distillers distillery tour – with tastings.
Things to do in Tweed Heads include Tweed River cruises and crab-catching experiences.
Top Tweed Heads accommodation picks include the well-reviewed Tweed Heads Vegas Motel and the waterside Arabella Motor Inn.
More New South Wales drives
How long is the drive from Leeton to Griffith?
Where to stop on the Coffs Harbour to Grafton drive.
The best stops on the Coffs Harbour to Yamba drive.
Where to stop on the Newcastle to Taree drive.
Where to stop on the Grafton to Lismore drive.