Newcastle to Brisbane road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Newcastle to Brisbane by car: The Gold Coast
Coolangatta is the first town on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
Things to do in Coolangatta include walking from Point Danger to Snapper Rocks and throwing yourself into surfing lessons.
The Pacific Motorway, however, runs west of Coolangatta, Kirra Beach, the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Currumbin and Palm Beach.
7 Gold Coast experiences worth booking in advance
- See waterfalls and natural wonders – on a full day Springbrook National Park tour.
- Be awed by massive migrating humpbacks – on a great value whale-watching cruise.
- Feast as you explore the Gold Coast waterways – on a dinner cruise.
- Kayak with dolphins and snorkel with hundred of sub-tropical fish – on the same tour.
- Enjoy high speed thrills along the waterways – on a jet boat adventure.
- Glide above the beautiful hinterland – on a serene hot air balloon flight.
- Taste the best Scenic Rim wines – on an indulgent Tamborine Mountain wine tour, with lunch.
Most of the things to do on the Gold Coast, such as jet boat rides, sunset cruises, parasailing and amphibious vehicle tours, require a short deviation towards the coast.
Gold Coast accommodation is mainly apartments, but top Surfers Paradise hotels include the luxurious Q1 Resort and Spa and the budget-friendly Vibe Hotel.
Staying near the motorway and you can enjoy the David Fleay Wildlife Park on Tallebudgera Creek or Nerang National Park.
But most travellers will probably be more interested in the Gold Coast theme parks.
Warner Brothers Movie World, Paradise Country, Australian Outback Spectacular and Wet N Wild Gold Coast are around Oxenford. Dreamworld and Whitewater World are further north in Coomera.
Click through for the next section: Coomera to Brisbane.