Sydney to Tweed Heads road trip: Distance, drive time & stops

Sydney to Tweed Heads road trip: Go via Forster?

If skipping Newcastle and Port Stephens, stick to the Pacific Highway as you go past the Hunter Wetlands National Park and the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.

The Newcastle to Taree leg of the Sydney to Tweed Heads road trip continues past heads through Raymond Terrace, Wallaroo National Park and Karuah National Park.

You’ll get more joy dipping towards the coast, firstly at  Jimmys Beach or Bennetts Beach in Hawks Nest, then towards Seal Rocks and Myall Lake.

The Pacific Palms area is lies just to the north, with three gorgeous stretches of sand in Blueys Beach, Boomerang Beach and Elizabeth Beach. 

The coastal route then stays east of Wallis Lake through Booti Booti National Park towards Forster and Tuncurry.

Here, choose One Mile Beach or nine mile-long Tuncurry Beach for surfing, or Burgess Beach for the much-Instagrammed fairy pools.

There are many good accommodation options in Forster. Pick the Hotel Forster for a large pool, the Forster Motor Inn for helpfully-located convenience and the Dorsal Boutique Hotel for charm.

Inland via Taree

The inland route is quicker but less exciting. However, you can stop for Aboriginal heritage and walking trails at Bulahdelah Mountain in Bulahdelah. There’s also plenty of native wildlife at the O’Sullivans Gap Picnic Area in Myall Lakes National Park.

Also on the menu are wine-tasting at Great Lakes Paddocks, cafés in Coolongolook and the National Motorcycle Museum in Nabiac.

Turn off for Taree along Manning River Drive, going around the of mountain bike trail-heavy Khappinghat National Park.

Reasons to visit Taree include the walking trail along the Dawson River and scenic flights from Taree Airport.

Click through for the next section: Port Macquarie.