Sydney to Longreach road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
The best stops to add to a Sydney to Longreach road trip itinerary are Newcastle, Moree and Barcaldine. By car, the distance from Sydney to Longreach is 1,695km, with a driving time of around 18h35ms.
Planning a Sydney to Longreach road trip itinerary
A Sydney to Longreach road trip takes you from Australia’s most famous city to arguably the most appealing town in outback Queensland..
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.
Longreach offers evocative cruises along the Thomson River, adventures on an old-fashioned stagecoach and an outback sheep station experience. To investigate the best Longreach tour and activity options, head this way. To pick the right Longreach accommodation, nosey around here.
There’s an awful lot to see along the way, though. This expert-researched guide should help you plan your perfect Sydney to Longreach road trip itinerary.
Sydney to Longreach distance and driving time
Using the quickest route by car, the distance from Sydney to Longreach is 1,695km. That makes for a driving time of around 18 hours and 35 minutes.
The best road trip stops to add to a Sydney to Longreach road trip itinerary include Newcastle, Moree and St George..
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 Longreach road trip: Sydney to Gosford
Leaving Sydney through the northern suburbs, worthwhile stops include the Lane Cove National Park, Cumberland State Forest in West Pennant Hills and Rose Siedler House in Wahroonga.
It’s also not much of a detour to the gorgeous Bobbin Head picnic ground in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park or Galston Gorge in Berowra Waters National Park.
Just before crossing the Hawkesbury River Bridge at Brooklyn, you can hop aboard the Riverboat Postman cruise. This quirky take on a Hawkesbury River boat trip see visitors join the local post crew as they deliver mail to river communities such as Dangar Island.
On the other side of the Hawkesbury at Mooney Mooney, the Broken Bay Pearl Farm runs a pearl farm tour which shows how pearls are cultivated.
The Pacific Motorway continues north from here, running considerably to the west of the Central Coast’s beach suburbs. The likes of Forresters Beach, Toowoon Bay and Wamberal require a significant detour.
Sydney to Longreach drive: Gosford to Newcastle
However, there are some attractions nearer the route. These include the Walkabout Wildlife Park, Australian Reptile Park and Girrakool Loop walking track near Gosford.
For more action, try abseiling, horse-riding and quad biking at Glenworth Valley near Popran National Park.
Before reaching Newcastle, you can stop at Somersby Falls and Strickland Falls, and a few attractions near Alison. The Jilliby Lookout offers views, Treetops Adventure Central Coast is all-action and Amazement Farm and Fun Park has cute animals and mazes.
The motorway then continues between Morriset and Cooranbong. It goes west of Lake Macquarie and near the southern tip of Watagans National Park.
Close to the Mount Sugarloaf Lookout, you have a decision to make – leave the Pacific Motorway and head east into Newcastle? Or keep going towards New England?
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.
Good things to do in Newcastle include enjoying wildlife at Blackbutt Reserve, whale-watching tours, swimming at Merewether Baths and browsing the city’s museums.
You can also try boat tours along the Hunter coast, street art walks and after dark true crime tours.
Newcastle accommodation highlights include the luxurious Crystalbrook Kingsley, the buzzy QT Newcastle and the heritage-stuffed Grand Hotel.
Click through to the next section: Newcastle to Scone.