Grafton to Brisbane road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
The best stops on a Grafton to Brisbane road trip itinerary include Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads and the Gold Coast. By car, the distance from Grafton to Brisbane is 315km, with a driving time of around 3h17m.
Planning a Grafton to Brisbane road trip itinerary
A Grafton to Brisbane road trip connects one of the hub cities in New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region to the capital of Queensland.
Grafton has an impressive cathedral and is known for its gorgeous jacaranda trees.
For Grafton accommodation picks, head here.
When you reach Brisbane, top options include a Moreton Island day trip, climbing the Story Bridge and visiting native wildlife at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. To browse the collection of Brisbane tours and experiences, step this way. For the best value Brisbane hotels, pick here.
However, there is plenty to see along the way. A Grafton to Brisbane road trip strings together waterfalls, beach towens, national parks and glorious coastline.
This guide should help you plan out the best stops on a Grafton to Brisbane road trip itinerary. Click through on the individual places and attractions for more detailed, specific information.
Grafton to Brisbane distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Grafton to Brisbane is 315km. That makes for a driving time of around three hours and 17 minutes.
The best stops to add to a Grafton to Brisbane road trip itinerary include Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads and the Gold Coast.
Top Grafton accommodation options
The best places to stay in Grafton are:
- For central location: Civic Motel.
- For charm and personal touch: Andavine House Bed and Breakfast.
- For a relatively cheap, good quality motel with a pool: Grafton Lodge Motel.
The initial stretch 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.
Best stops on the Grafton to Brisbane drive: Clarence River to Ballina
Further along, Bundjalung National Park is worth a look. For a photo stop, try the Iluka Bluff Lookout. For something more involving, opt for the 6km Jerusalem Creek Peninsula track from the Black Rocks campground.
At Woodburn, there’s a possible branch-off to Evans Head and Broadwater National Park.
Here, Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum tells the tale of the town’s huge WWII pilot training base. But the real highlight is the stunning 30km beach that stretches to the north. Accommodation is available at the Evans Head caravan park.
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.
The Pacific Highway, however, runs just west of Ballina. This is one of the major towns in the Northern Rivers region. Ballina activities include 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.
Click through to the next section: A stop in Byron Bay.