Sydney to Tweed Heads road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
The Sydney to Tweed Heads drive covers a distance of 810km in a driving time of approximately 8h25m. Top road trip stops include Newcastle, Forster, Coffs Harbour and Yamba.
A Sydney to Tweed Heads road trip takes you from the New South Wales capital to the Queensland border. But it’s not really about the start and end points. This epic adventure up the New South Wales coast is about the stops you choose to make along the way.
Sydney brings harbour cruises on romantic tall ships, historic pub tours and behind-the-scenes visits to the world’s most famous Opera House. To get the best deals on Sydney accommodation, book here. To find Sydney tours and experiences that suit your tastes, step this way.
This guide should help you plan your journey. Click through on links for more detailed information on the destinations. And, if the guide is helpful/ interesting, feel free to book accommodation and experiences through our tour booking and hotel booking partners. Australia Travel Questions will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, that helps fund the site.
Sydney to Tweed Heads distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Sydney to Tweed Heads is 810km. This makes for a driving time of around eight hours and 25 minutes.
The best road trip stops between Sydney and Tweed Heads include Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.
There are, however, smaller spots such as Seal Rocks, Crescent Head and Yamba that may provide the happiest memories.
Sydney to Tweed Heads road trip: To the Hawkesbury River
The first section of the Sydney to Tweed Heads road trip is from Sydney to Newcastle. This is a 170km drive.
There are some stops in Sydney’s northern suburbs that are worth a look if you’ve got time. Lane Cove National Park, Cumberland State Forest in West Pennant Hills and the architecturally-important Rose Siedler House in Wahroonga are all worthy of consideration.
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.
Also consider short detours to the beautiful 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 can hop on board the Riverboat Postman cruise. This postal boat invites tourists along as it delivers mail to river communities such as Dangar Island.
Sydney to Tweed Heads drive: Central Coast
After crossing the bridge, you’re on the Central Coast. However, the beach towns such as Terrigal or The Entrance require a significant detour.
There’s plenty to do near the Pacific Motorway, though, starting at Mooney Mooney. Here the Broken Bay Pearl Farm shows how pearls are cultivated on a pearl farm tour.
A little further north near Gosford are the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, Australian Reptile Park and Girrakool Loop walking track.
Meanwhile, Glenworth Valley near Popran National Park offers activities such as abseiling, horse-riding and quad biking.
Photo stops before reaching Newcastle include Somersby Falls, Strickland Falls and the Jilliby Lookout. Treetops Adventure Central Coast and Amazement Farm and Fun Park will take a bit more time.
Build in a Newcastle stopover?
The Sydney to Tweed Head drive then threads between Morriset and Cooranbong, while gliding west of Lake Macquarie and close to the southern end of Watagans National Park.
The motorway goes round Newcastle, New South Wales’ second largest city. But you might wish to pay a visit to the famous ocean baths, such as Merewether Baths.
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.
Other things to do in Newcastle include wildlife-viewing at Blackbutt Reserve, whale-watching tours and visiting multiple museums.
Newcastle also offers boat tours along the coast, street art walks and evening true crime tours.
Newcastle accommodation superstars include the plush Crystalbrook Kingsley, the sassy QT Newcastle and the heritage-ladled Grand Hotel.
Click through for the next section: Port Stephens activities.