Grafton to Gold Coast road trip: Distance, time & stops
The best stops on a Grafton to Gold Coast road trip include Ballina, Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads. By car along sealed roads, the distance from Grafton to the Gold Coast is 243km, with a driving time of around 2h44m.
The Grafton to Gold Coast drive takes you past some of the most impressive beach towns in New South Wales. Most travellers will be tackling this drive as part of a longer road trip – perhaps from Tamworth to the Gold Coast or Adelaide to the Gold Coast.
Grafton has an impressive cathedral and is known for its gorgeous jacaranda trees. For Grafton accommodation picks, head here.
When you finally reach the Gold Coast, top experience options include kayaking and snorkelling tours, buffet dinner sightseeing cruises and jetboat adventures.
Use this guide to help you plan out the perfect Grafton to Gold Coast road trip. Click through on the links for more detailed information on the towns and attractions.
Grafton to Gold Coast distance and driving time
By car along sealed roads, the distance from Grafton to the Gold Coast is 243km. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 44 minutes. This is assuming that Surfers Paradise is the final destination on the Gold Coast – for other areas of the Gold Coast, it’ll be a few minutes either side of that figure.
Top stops to add to a Grafton to Gold Coast road trip itinerary include Ballina, Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads.
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.
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.
Grafton to Gold Coast road trip: Grafton to Yamba
The first 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.