Newcastle to Brisbane road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops

Newcastle to Brisbane road trip itinerary: Byron Bay to Brunswick Heads

It’s another 45 minutes from Byron Bay to Tweed Heads, NSW’s most northerly town.

The drive initially goes past Belongil Beach and the Tyagarah Nature Reserve.

Here’s why you should stay in Brunswick Heads – four fantastic experiences

Take a snorkelling tour to the protected subtropical paradise – at the marine life-packed Julian Rocks.
Take an eco-cruise through the rainforest – in the day time or on a sunset cruise.
Watch migrating humpback whales between June and October – on a whale-watching cruise with a marine biologist guide.
Take a nature kayaking tour along the river – choose from sunrise, daytime and sunset tours.

Further along, Brunswick Heads has a tremendous beach. You can also kayak or cruise on the Brunswick River and enjoy a snorkelling tour to Julian Rocks.

Brunswick Heads accommodation picks include the stylish Brunswick and the pool-centred Sails Motel.

Canoeing on the Brunswick River, Brunswick Heads, NSW. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Brunswick Heads to Tweed Heads drive

Mooball National Park, Pottsville, Hastings Point, Cabarita Beach and Tropical Fruit World in Duranbah present more exploration options. The latter offers a farm tour and boat cruise.

Five fabulous Tweed Coast experiences to at least consider booking

Tweed River lunch cruise – with wildlife viewing in the rainforest.
Crab-catching tour in Tweed Heads.
Farm tour at Tropical Fruit World – with wildlife spotting cruise.
Progressive four course meal across four top Kingscliff restaurants.
Husk Distillers distillery tour – with tastings.

Rum-tasting at the Husk Distillery in Tumbulgum is another option before the motorway rejoins the coast at Kingscliff. Here, Watersports Guru hires out kayaks.