Sydney to Surfers Paradise road trip: Distance, time & best stops
Attractions between Sydney and Surfers Paradise: Newcastle to Port Stephens
After Newcastle, you may wish to steer off towards all-action Port Stephens. If so, drive towards Williamtown, which brings fighter jets at Fighter World and a quad biking tour across the Worimi Sand Dunes.
Further towards Nelson Bay are several wildlife attractions – Oakvale Wildlife Park, the Shark, Ray and All Creatures Rescue Centre and Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters.
6 fantastic Port Stephens experiences worth going for.
- 4WD dunes tour with sandboarding – whizz down the Sahara-style dunes
- Dolphin-watching cruise with fun boom nets 🐬.
- Quad-biking over the Worimi sand dunes – learning about local Aboriginal culture along the way.
- Snorkelling with wild dolphins – the ultimate dolphin experience
- Port Stephens koala sanctuary admission tickets 🐨.
- Shallow water shark and ray encounter 🦈.
Near Anna Bay, try riding camels on Birubi Beach, clothing-optional bathing at Samurai Beach and koala-watching at the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary.
Things to do in Nelson Bay include dolphin-watching cruises, snorkelling with dolphins and taking on the Tomaree Head Summit Walk.
For Nelson Bay accommodation, take a look at the golf course-centric Landmark Resort, the wallet-friendly Peninsula Motel and Serviced Apartments or the apartment-style Mantra Nelson Bay.
Sydney to Surfers Paradise road trip: Newcastle to Taree
If ignoring Newcastle and Port Stephens, stick to the Pacific Highway as it goes past the Hunter Wetlands National Park and Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.
The Newcastle to Taree leg of the Sydney to Surfers Paradise road trip heads through Raymond Terrace, Wallaroo National Park and Karuah National Park.
You may wish to dip towards the coast, however. Jimmys Beach or Bennetts Beach in Hawks Nest are gorgeous. Then you can aim towards Seal Rocks and Myall Lake.
The Pacific Palms area is just to the north, with Blueys Beach, Boomerang Beach and Elizabeth Beach the highlights.
The coastal route then stays whips east of Wallis Lake, passing through Booti Booti National Park towards Forster and Tuncurry.
Road trip essentials that many travellers forget
Search on the web, and you’ll find ludicrously long lists of equipment to take on a road trip. Australia Travel Questions isn’t going to do that to you. But it is worth buying the following road trip items before setting off. Click through for a good range of options.
- Charging cables – yes, you’ll probably need a spare at some point.
- Car charger adaptor – in case your rental car has the old-fashioned cigarette lighter rather than a USB.
- Multi USB charger – for those hotel rooms that don’t have enough power sockets.
- Fold-up chairs – to make anywhere a picnic spot.
- A really good water bottle – go for a bigger one than usual to last the longer drives.
- Packing cubes – save space but, more importantly, avoid unpacking everything every night.
Here, choose One Mile Beach or nine mile-long Tuncurry Beach for surfing, or Burgess Beach for the photogenic fairy pools.
There are many impressive accommodation options in Forster. Pick the Hotel Forster for a big pool, the Forster Motor Inn for convenient location and the Dorsal Boutique Hotel for charm.
The inland route is quicker but less enticing. You can stop for walking trails and Aboriginal heritage and walking trails at Bulahdelah Mountain or native wildlife at the O’Sullivans Gap Picnic Area in Myall Lakes National Park.
Turn off along Manning River drive for Taree, another feasible overnight stop.
Taree attractions include the walking trail along the Dawson River and scenic flights from Taree Airport.
Best Taree accommodation
Taree accommodation is available for from $105 per night. But the best choices are…
- For central location: In Town Motor Inn.
- For good value and a pool: Caravilla Motor Inn.
- For charm and warmth: Birches B&B.
- For distinctive character: A Railway Lodge.
Click through for the next section: Taree to Nambucca Heads.