Newcastle to Gold Coast road trip: Best stops, distance & time
Newcastle to Gold Coast drive: Staying in Port Macquarie
On the drive from Taree to Port Macquarie, the Cattai Wetlands in Coopernook make for a pleasant stop, but diverting east for Crowdy Bay National Park is more rewarding. The Diamond Head campground is a cracking place for spotting kangaroos.
Stay near the Pacific Highway for Middle Brother National Park, home to the enormous 69 metre Bird Tree.
The drive then continues past Queens Lake, with Lake Cathie an optional coastal diversion.
If stopping in Port Macquarie – a logical overnighter on the journey – turn east at the junction with the Oxley Highway.
Things to do in Port Macquarie include the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, riding camels on Lighthouse Beach and taking scenic helicopter flights.
Port Macquarie accommodation picks
The best Port Macquarie accommodation options are…
- For a great value motel: East Port Motor Inn.
- For families: NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park.
- For quality apartments with a heated pool: Northpoint Apartments.
- For beachside location: Flynns Beach Resort.
- For overall quality: The Mid Pacific.
Driving from Newcastle to the Gold Coast: Divert to South West Rocks?
From Port Macquarie, there’s yet again a choice between the coast and the highway.
The coast brings Limeburners Creek National Park, Goolawah National Park and surfing paradise Crescent Head,
Stick to the ocean, and you’re then blessed with Hat Head National Park and holiday town South West Rocks. Highlights here include Horseshoe Bay Beach and the historic Trial Bay Gaol in Arakoon National Park.
South West Rocks accommodation picks
The best South West Rocks accommodation options are:
- For families: NRMA South West Rocks Holiday Park.
- For an indulgent villa: Salt.
- For charm and character: Heritage Guesthouse.
- For great value: Ingenia Holidays South West Rocks.
- For good location, a pool and free parking: Rockpool Motor Inn.
Attractions between Kempsey and Nambucca Heads
Stay with the Pacific Highway, though, and Billabong Zoo and Cassegrain Wines are the main attractions of interest before reaching Kempsey.
Here, the Slim Dusty Centre celebrates Australia’s most-loved country music star.
Kempsey accommodation choices include the Park Drive Motel by the river and the pool-blessed Motel Kempsey. It’s 106km from Kempsey to Coffs Harbour.
The Yarriabini Lookout, a short detour off the Pacific Highway, offers great views over the Macleay River Valley. But otherwise continue to Macksville, where you can spot birds at the Valley of the Mist wetland and get a heritage fix at the Mary Boulton Pioneer Cottage.
The Mandarin Motel is your best choice for overnight accommodation in Macksville, although most will continue to Nambucca Heads where the highway meets the coast.
Things to do in Nambucca Heads include whale-watching at the Captain Cook Lookout and kayaking through the serene Gaagal Wanggaan National Park.
Nambucca Heads accommodation picks include the family-targeted Ingenia holiday park, the charming Riverview Boutique Motel and the pool-boasting Beach Rooms.
Click through for the next section: Nambucca Heads to Arrawarra.