Dubbo to Gold Coast road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Dubbo to Gold Coast road trip: Ebor to Grafton
Shortly after the village of Ebor, you need to branch off the Waterfall Way and head north along Armidale Road. This weaves around creeks and rivers, past the Mount Hyland Nature Reserve, towards Dundurrabin.
The road then weaves between Nymboi-Bunderay National Park and Chaebundi National Park. Unfortunately, the campgrounds and walking trails in both are best accessed from elsewhere.
The road then twists and turns towards Nymboida. The riverside Cartmill Park is a decent spot to stretch the legs.
If you want to visit Marengo Falls or go on a Nymboida River whitewater rafting trip with Exodus Adventures, you need to make a detour up Glens Creek Road.
Otherwise, stick to Armidale Road and you’ll come down through the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range, eventually reaching Grafton.
Grafton’s attractions are mainly handsome heritage buildings such as Schaeffer House and the Christ Church Cathedral, although it is also famed for its jacaranda trees.
Grafton accommodation picks include the marvellously central yet spacious Victoria Apartments, the Fitzroy Motor Inn, which has a large outdoor pool plus a bonus spa pool. There’s also the parkland-surrounded Jacaranda Motor Lodge.
Grafton to Yamba
The next stretch of the journey leaves Grafton along Big River Way, and continues until it joins the Pacific Highway. It veers past Woodford Island before reaching weirdly Scottish Maclean. The Bicentennial Museum explains that Scottish heritage, while the Ferry Park Gallery showcases local artists.
The Waterview Motel and Club Maclean are decent choices for an overnight stay, but it’s a far better idea to turn east for delightful beach town Yamba.
Turners Beach, Yamba Main Beach and Pippi Beach are among the top spots for swimming and surfing here. You can also try cliff-jumping at Angourie Blue Pool.
Yamba accommodation picks include the Calypso Yamba caravan park, the well-priced Aston Motel, the riverside Moby Dick and the gardens-surrounded Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort.
Click through to the next section: Clarence River to Ballina.