Sydney to Gold Coast road trip: Stops, distance & driving time
Sydney to Gold Coast via Byron Bay
On the way from Ballina to Byron Bay, you can enjoy Killen Falls just north of Tintenbar and the kid-friendly wildlife park at Macadamia Castle.
Alternatively, you can detour to the coast for several excellent surf spots. Lennox Head, Whites Beach, Kings Beach, the Broken Head Reserve and Arakwal National Park would all be top drawer attractions anywhere else.
Otherwise, the route continues through charming Newrybar and food-centric Bangalow. But if going into Byron, leave the highway at Ewingsdale. Byron Bay hot air ballooning tours take off from here, at The Farm Byron Bay.
The best Byron Bay activities include brewery tours, art and wine classes and turtle snorkelling tours.
For Byron Bay accommodation, try the seaside Cavvanbah, the Bayview Beachfront Apartments and the Ingenia Byron Bay holiday park.
8 amazing Byron Bay experiences worth booking today
- Experience the region’s glorious natural landscapes from above – on a hot air balloon ride.
- Go kayaking with dolphins – and get much closer to them than on a boat tour 🐬.
- Learn to surf – on a half day surf lesson 🏄♀️.
- Discover the local secrets – let a guide show you the hidden beaches and waterfalls 🏖️.
- Go on a three habitat wildlife safari – spotting koalas, kangaroos and flying foxes 🐨🦘.
- See glowworms light up the World Heritage-listed rainforest.
- Explore the Byron Bay hinterland – including the rainforest walk to Minyon Falls.
- Taste craft beers and spirits – on a tour of Byron’s breweries and distilleries 🍻.
- Also try… Skydives | Sea-kayaking | Whale-watching.
Next section: The Tweed Coast.