Gold Coast to Yamba road trip: Distance, drive time & attractions
Gold Coast to Yamba drive: Byron Bay and Ballina
Byron Bay is a little further to the south, and it has become an activity-packed beach town that still maintains an alternative vibe.
The best Byron Bay activities include brewery tours, art and wine classes and hot air balloon rides from The Farm Byron Bay.
For Byron Bay accommodation, plump for the coastal Cavvanbah, the Bayview Beachfront Apartments or the kid-pleasing Ingenia Byron Bay holiday park.
The Gold Coast to Yamba road trip route then continues south to Ballina. On the way, the likes of Arakwal National Park, the Broken Head Reserve, Kings Beach, Whites Beach and Lennox Head make for worthy coastal escapes.
Inland, meanwhile, Macadamia Castle has a kid-friendly wildlife park and Killen Falls just north of Tintenbar is a stunning waterfall.
5 Ballina experiences to book in advance
- Go on a dolphin watching cruise – sightings are very reliable.
- Take a guided coastal walk – learning about the natural environment on the way.
- Clink glasses as the sun goes down – on a Richmond River sunset cruise.
- Take a cruise to the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve – with a marine biologist pointing out the dolphins, turtles and dramatic cliffs.
- Learn to surf – on a private surfing lesson.
In Ballina, you can enjoy private surfing lessons and half day coastal walking tours.
Where to stay in Ballina
The top Ballina accommodation options are:
- For charm and personality: Ballina Manor Boutique Hotel.
- For a holiday park with family-sized cabins and lots kid-friendly facilities: Discovery Parks Ballina.
- For a relatively cheap, good quality motel: Almare Tourist Motel.
- For riverside location: Ramada Hotel and Suites.
Next section: To the Clarence River.