Sydney to Brisbane road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
The best stops on a Sydney to Brisbane road trip include Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. The Sydney to Brisbane drive covers a 917km distance in a driving time of around 9h44m.
A Sydney to Brisbane road trip is the fun alternative to taking a flight, largely because there are so many enjoyable places to stop along the way.
Sydney brings harbour cruises on romantic tall ships, historic pub tours and behind-the-scenes visits to the world’s most famous Opera House. To get the best deals on Sydney accommodation, book here. To find Sydney tours and experiences that suit your tastes, step this way.
This guide should help you plan out that road trip – and work out which coastal towns are the best bet for an overnight stop.
Sydney to Brisbane distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Sydney to Brisbane is 917km. This makes for a driving time of around nine hours and 44 minutes.
6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday
- Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
- Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
- Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
- North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
- Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.
Good road trip stops along the Sydney to Brisbane driving route include Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.
However, you could also opt for quieter spots like Seal Rocks, Crescent Head, South West Rocks and Yamba.
Sydney to Brisbane road trip: Leaving Sydney
The first leg of the Sydney to Brisbane road trip is from Sydney to Newcastle, a 170km drive.
There are a few worthwhile stops on the route through Sydney’s northern suburbs. Lane Cove National Park, Cumberland State Forest in West Pennant Hills and the architecturally-striking Rose Siedler House in Wahroonga are all impressive if you’ve got the time.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
You may also enjoy small detours to the gorgeous Bobbin Head picnic ground in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park or Galston Gorge in Berowra Waters National Park.
The route leaves Sydney over the Hawkesbury River Bridge in Brooklyn. A fun tour option here is the Riverboat Postman cruise, which drops mail off at river communities such as Dangar Island.
Sydney to Brisbane drive: Central Coast
Once over the Hawkesbury River Bridge, you’re on the Central Coast. However, it’s a significant detour for any of the beach towns such as Terrigal or The Entrance.
The Pacific Motorway runs inland, reaching the Central Coast at Mooney Mooney. Here the Broken Bay Pearl Farm runs a pearl farm tour which shows how pearls are cultivated.
Further north come the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, Australian Reptile Park and Girrakool Loop walking track near Gosford.
There are also plenty of activities on offer, including abseiling, horse-riding and quad biking, at Glenworth Valley near Popran National Park.
Continuing towards Newcastle, Somersby Falls, Strickland Falls and the Jilliby Lookout are solid photo stops. Treetops Adventure Central Coast and Amazement Farm and Fun Park may detain you a little longer.
A stopover in Newcastle?
The Sydney to Brisbane drive next passes between Morriset and Cooranbong, skirting west of Lake Macquarie and close to the southern tip of Watagans National Park.
If you’re not planning to visit Newcastle, the motorway goes round New South Wales’ second largest city.
But Newcastle has a lot to offer, including its famous ocean baths, such as Merewether Baths.
9 cool Newcastle experiences you need to book in advance
- An Adventure boat cruise along the Hunter coast – with thrills and scenery.
- A mobile phone-based scavenger hunt – explore the city differently.
- An architecture and street art walking tour – see all the best murals.
- A whale-watching tour – get close to the migrating humpback whales.
- A two hour city highlights tour by bus – get orientated when you first arrive.
- A scenic helicopter flight – see the spectacular coastline from above.
- A three hour craft beer and food-matching tour – get a taste of the drinking and dining scene.
- A food, drink and history walking tour – hear stories and indulge at the same time.
Other things to do in Newcastle include wildlife-spotting at Blackbutt Reserve, whale-watching tours and museum-hopping.
Newcastle also offers boat tours along the Hunter coast, street art walks and after dark true crime tours.
Newcastle accommodation favourites include the fancy Crystalbrook Kingsley, the hip QT Newcastle and the heritage-oozing Grand Hotel.
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