Sydney to Coolangatta road trip: Distance, time & best stops
The best stops to add to a Sydney to Coolangatta road trip itinerary include Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Byron Bay. By car, the Sydney to Coolangatta distance is 810km and driving time around 8h33m.
A Sydney to Coolangatta road trip heads from the New South Wales capital to just over the Queensland border
Sydney’s enormous collection of experiences includes all-inclusive sunset dinner cruises, behind-the-scenes tours of the Opera House, jet boat thrill rides and historic walking tours. To get the best deals on Sydney accommodation, book here. To find Sydney tours and experiences that suit your tastes, step this way.
Coolangatta on the Gold Coast brings surfing lessons and a range of helicopter flights. For Coolangatta accommodation, browse the options here.
However, there are several excellent attractions between Sydney and Coolangatta. This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Sydney to Coolangatta road trip itinerary.
Sydney to Coolangatta distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Sydney to Coolangatta is 810km. This makes for a driving time of around eight hours and 33 minutes.
Excellent road trip stops between Sydney and Coolangatta include Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.
You might, however, get more joy from smaller spots such as Forster, South West Rocks and Nambucca Heads.
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.
Sydney to Coolangatta road trip: Sydney to Popran National Park
The first section of the Sydney to Coolangatta road trip is the 170km drive from Sydney to Newcastle.
Some stops in Sydney’s northern suburbs are worth considering. These include Lane Cove National Park, Cumberland State Forest in West Pennant Hills and the architecturally-dazzling Rose Siedler House in Wahroonga.
Also mull over short detours to the gorgeous Bobbin Head picnic ground in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park or Galston Gorge in Berowra Waters National Park.
Before crossing the Hawkesbury River in Brooklyn, you might wish to join the Riverboat Postman cruise. This postal boat brings tourists along as it delivers mail to small river communities like Dangar Island.
The Central Coast is on the other side of the Hawkesbury Bridge, although beach towns such as Terrigal or The Entrance require a hefty detour.
Stay near the Pacific Motorway, though, and the Broken Bay Pearl Farm in Mooney Mooney shows how pearls are cultivated on its pearl farm tour.
3 experiences to book in Gosford
- Australian Reptile Park day pass – learn (safely) about Australia’s snakes and spiders.
- Try your hand at flying with a jetpack – or try flyboarding instead.
- Soap-making experience – make your own smellies.
Nearer Gosford, you’ll find the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, Australian Reptile Park and Girrakool Loop walking track.
Glenworth Valley near Popran National Park, meanwhile, runs activities such as abseiling, horse-riding and quad biking.
Sydney to Coolangatta drive: Central Coast to Newcastle
Pleasant photo stops before hitting Newcastle include Somersby Falls, Strickland Falls and the Jilliby Lookout. Treetops Adventure Central Coast and Amazement Farm and Fun Park will eat a bit more of your time.
The Sydney to Coolangatta drive continues between Morriset and Cooranbong, veering west of Lake Macquarie and near the southern end of Watagans National Park.
The motorway goes around the second largest city in New South Wales – Newcastle. But you might wish to make an overnight stop here.
If so, pay a visit to the magnificent ocean baths, such as Merewether Baths.
Other things to do in Newcastle include watching wildlife at Blackbutt Reserve, whale-watching tours and visiting several good quality museums.
Newcastle also offers coastal boat tours, street art walks and evening true crime tours.
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.
Newcastle accommodation heroes include the lavish Crystalbrook Kingsley, the peppy QT Newcastle and the heritage-drenched Grand Hotel.
Click through for the next section: Newcastle to Port Stephens.