Sydney to Brisbane road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops

Sydney to Brisbane road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops

Sydney to Brisbane by car: The Gold Coast

Coolangatta is the first town on 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.

Currumbin Surf Club balcony view
The balcony view from the Currumbin Surf Club ain’t half bad… Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland

Most of the things to do on the Gold Coast, such as jet boat ridessunset cruisesparasailing 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 WorldParadise CountryAustralian 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: Brisbane.