Grafton to Lismore: Road trip stops, distance & driving time

The Grafton to Lismore drive in New South Wales covers a 132km distance in a driving time of around 1h33m. Road trip stops to add to an itinerary include Maclean and Bundjalung National Park.

The drive from Grafton to Lismore connects two of the biggest towns in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. Neither is a massive tourist hub, but both have something to offer visitors.

There are several possible routes from Grafton to Lismore but the quickest follows the Pacific Highway for the bulk of the route.

For Grafton accommodation picks, head here.

Grafton to Lismore distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Grafton to Lismore is 132km. That makes for a driving time of around one hour and 33 minutes.

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 route follows the Clarence River along the Big River Way until it meets the Pacific Highway just south-east of Lawrence.

Grafton to Lismore road trip: Stop in Maclean

The first town of any real note on the Grafton to Lismore road trip is the distinctly Scottish-flavoured Maclean. You can learn about that Caledonian tang at the Bicentennial Museum, or check out the local art scene at the Ferry Park Gallery.

The Waterview Motel and Club Maclean are among the best-reviewed Maclean accommodation options.

Grafton to Lismore drive: Bundjalung National Park

Just out of Maclean comes the Harwood Bridge over the Clarence River. Turn east to reach the highly attractive coastal town of Yamba.

On the northern side of the Clarence River, Bundjalung National Park lies between the highway and the coast. Highlights here include kayaking and canoeing along the Esk and Evans rivers, and a series of walking trails. The ten minute walk to the Iluka Bluff Lookout offers a quick fix, and the 6km Jerusalem Creek Peninsula track from the Black Rocks campground is more substantial.

Grafton to Lismore road trip: Off the highway

The turn-off for Evans Head, another lovely beach town, is at Woodburn. But if you’re heading towards Lismore, you need to leave the highway and pass north through Woodburn. Continue on the largely uneventful Wyrallah Road, past the Tucki Tucki Nature Reserve.

North of Wyrallah, you’ll pass the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens and enter the town from the south.

Things to do in Lismore include swimming in the 1920s-style Lismore Memorial Baths and taking the miniature train in Heritage Park.

Lismore accommodation options include the solid Lismore City Motor Inn and the smartly refurbished Sherwood Hotel.