Canberra to Gold Coast road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
Canberra to Gold Coast road trip itinerary: Brunswick Heads and the Tweed Coast
It’s another 45 minutes from Byron Bay to Tweed Heads, NSW’s most northerly town.
The drive initially goes past Belongil Beach and the Tyagarah Nature Reserve.
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.
Further along, Brunswick Heads has a tremendous beach. You can also kayak or cruise on the Brunswick River and enjoy a snorkelling tour to Julian Rocks.
Brunswick Heads accommodation picks include the stylish Brunswick and the pool-centred Sails Motel.
Mooball National Park, Pottsville, Hastings Point, Cabarita Beach and Tropical Fruit World in Duranbah present more exploration options. The latter offers a farm tour and boat cruise.
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.
Rum-tasting at the Husk Distillery in Tumbulgum is another option before the motorway rejoins the coast at Kingscliff. Here, Watersports Guru hires out kayaks.
Things to do in Tweed Heads include crab-catching adventures, Tweed River cruises, and brewery and distillery tours.
Tweed Heads accommodation favourites are the well-rated Tweed Heads Vegas Motel and Arabella Motor Inn.
Canberra to the Gold Coast by car: The Gold Coast
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.
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.
The Pacific Motorway, however, runs west of Coolangatta, Kirra Beach, the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Currumbin and Palm Beach.
If continuing to Surfers Paradise, leave the motorway at Exit 87 and drive along the Southport-Burleigh Road. This runs parallel to the coast past Burleigh Heads, Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach before you reach Surfers Paradise.
Best day trips from the Gold Coast – 7 ways to improve your stay
The Gold Coast is a destination in its own right, but there are several excellent day trips you can do while using it as a base.
- Deluxe Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Full day Springbrook National Park tour – with waterfalls and bush tucker tasting.
- Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island.
- Evening glowworm-viewing experience – with guided stargazing.
- Lady Elliot Island day trip – with glass bottom boat & guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
- Hopping between microbreweries – with lunch included.
- Northern Rivers fruit & distillery tour – with Tropical Fruit World and Husk Distillers.
Things to do on the Gold Coast include jet boat rides, sunset cruises, parasailing and amphibious vehicle tours. You can also go whale-watching during whale season.
Gold Coast accommodation is mainly apartments, but top Surfers Paradise hotels include the luxurious Q1 Resort and Spa and the budget-friendly Vibe Hotel.
More Canberra travel
Where to stop on a Canberra to Tamworth road trip.
Stay at the Alivio Tourist Park.
Where to stop on a Canberra to Brisbane road trip.
The best stops on the Canberra to Byron Bay drive.
How long is the drive from Canberra to Ballina?