Coffs Harbour to Caloundra road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Coffs Harbour to Caloundra 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.

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.

Gold Coast accommodation is mainly apartments, but top Surfers Paradise hotels include the luxurious Q1 Resort and Spa and the budget-friendly Vibe Hotel.

Staying near and you can enjoy the David Fleay Wildlife Park on Tallebudgera Creek or Nerang National Park.

But most travellers will probably be more interested in the Gold Coast theme parks.

Warner Brothers Movie World, Paradise Country, Australian Outback Spectacular and Wet N Wild Gold Coast are around Oxenford. Dreamworld and Whitewater World are further north in Coomera.

Rollercoaster action at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Coffs Harbour to Caloundra road trip: Gold Coast to Glass House Mountains

The Gold Coast and Brisbane merge into each other somewhat. But on the way into the Queensland capital, attractions worth considering include the Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum, plus the Logan River Parklands, Springwood Conservation Park and Mt Gravatt Lookout.

For things to do in Brisbane itself, try the Streets Beach, the Museum of Brisbane, the public art trails and City Botanic Gardens.

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.

Other top options include a Moreton Island day trip, climbing the Story Bridge and visiting native wildlife at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Great Brisbane accommodation choices include the swaggering W Brisbane, the heritage-lavished Treasury and the buzzy, photogenic Ovolo.

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.

Coffs Harbour to Caloundra drive: Brisbane to Caloundra

From Brisbane, the Coffs Harbour to Caloundra drive passes Burpengary and Caboolture. You can take in some impressive from the Wild Horse Mountain scenic lookout next to the Bruce Highway. But if you have time, take a short diversion towards Mount Ngungun, Mount Tibrogargan and Australia Zoo in the Glass House Mountains.

The motorway threads between the Glass House Mountains and Beerburrum East State Forest. But the turn-off for Caloundra is at the Jowarra section of Mooloolah River National Park.

On the Caloundra Road into town, you’ll pass the Queensland Air Museum.

Caloundra checklist: 5 fab experiences to book in advance

1. Kayak hire or paddleboard rental at Golden Beach. 2. Self-guided scavenger hunt. 3. Half day Pummicestone Passage jetski tour. 4. Waterways cruise. 5. Two hour Efoil lesson.

Once in Caloundra, there’s a choice of beaches to enjoy. Bulcock Beach is closest to the centre. Kings Beach and Dicky Beach are well known for their surfing. Moffat Beach is home to the Moffat Beach Brewing Co and you can go kayaking or jetskiing around the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage from Golden Beach.