Sydney to Port Douglas inland road trip: Best stops & distance
The best stops on a Sydney to Port Douglas inland road trip, following the Carnarvon Highway route, include Moree, Roma, Emerald, Townsville and Cairns. The distance from Sydney to Port Douglas is 2,479km, with a driving time of around 28 hours. The entire route is along sealed roads.
Planning a Sydney to Port Douglas inland road trip itinerary
Most travellers driving from Sydney to Port Douglas will do so along the well-trodden coastal route, stopping at several coastal towns and islands along the way. In all honesty, this is the most popular route for a region. It is not quite the quickest route from Sydney to Port Douglas, but there’s only a couple of hours in it.
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.
Port Douglas, meanwhile, brings Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tours, sailing at sunset and half day tours into the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. Check out the best Port Douglas accommodation options here.
If you’re in a hurry, however, or want to explore a different side to Australia, then the quickest route from Sydney to Port Douglas goes inland.
Use this guide to help you plan the perfect stops on a Sydney to Port Douglas inland road trip itinerary.
Sydney to Port Douglas road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
By car along sealed roads, the distance from Sydney to Port Douglas on the inland route is 2,479km. That makes for a driving time of around 28 hours.
The best road trip stops to add to a Sydney to Port Douglas road trip itinerary include Newcastle, the Hunter Valley wine region, Moree, Roma, Emerald, Townsville and Cairns.
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.
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.
Sydney to Newcastle road trip: Central Coast attractions
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.
However, there are some attractions nearer the route. These include the Walkabout Wildlife Park, Australian Reptile Park and Girrakool Loop walking track near Gosford.
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.
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.
Click through for next section: Newcastle accommodation and tours.