Coffs Harbour to Lismore road trip: Distance, time & best stops
The Coffs Harbour to Lismore drive covers a 202km distance in around 2h13m. The best road trip stops are the Coffs Coast beaches, Yamba and Bundjalung National Park.
The drive from Coffs Harbour to Lismore connects the biggest city on the North Coast of New South Wales to one of the main hubs of the Northern Rivers region. Realistically, this is not a drive that most overseas tourists will encounter, as they’ll be heading for coastal spots such as Lennox Head and Byron Bay.
Coffs Harbour to Lismore distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Coffs Harbour to Lismore is 202km. This makes for a driving time of around two hours and 13 minutes. You can, however, add a few road trip stops to the itinerary.
The Coffs Harbour to Lismore road trip starts by following the Coffs Coast. Coming out of Coffs Harbour, you’ll go past the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, the Clog Barn and the Big Banana.
6 fab Coffs Harbour experiences to book in advance
- Glide through nature – on a Boambee Creek kayaking tour guided by a marine scientist.
- Jump out of a plane – with tandem skydives that land on the beach.
- Go kayaking and wildlife-spotting – on a coastal adventure.
- Head into the hinterland – on a rainforest and waterfalls day tour.
- Test your nerve and agility – at the Treetops Coffs Harbour adventure course.
- See migrating humpbacks up close – on a whale-watching cruise.
Also just off the highway are Diggers Beach and the Solitary Islands Aquarium at Charlesworth Bay Beach, plus the Forest Sky Pier and Treetops Adventure in Korora.
Coffs Coast beaches
There are several excellent beaches along the Coffs Coast, linked by the 60km Solitary Islands Coastal Walk.
Sapphire Beach and Moonee Beach are both good choices while the Look At Me Now Headland just south of Emerald Beach is a fantastic place to see kangaroos, whales and dolphins.
The Pacific Highway then goes west of Woolgoolga to surf hotspot Arrawarra. The Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre is just to the north, and covers local Indigenous culture.
Click through for the next section: Maclean and Yamba.