Tamworth to Gold Coast road trip: Distance, time & stops
The best stops on a Tamworth to Gold Coast road trip include Armidale, Grafton, Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads. By car, the distance from Tamworth to the Gold Coast is 545km. That makes for a driving time of around 6h32m.
The Tamworth to Gold Coast drive is a very scenic road trip in Australia. It passes through the Great Dividing Range, taking in some of New South Wales’ national parks, rainforests and waterfalls before reaching Queensland’s most famous beach strip.
Tamworth is the country music capital of Australia. You can look at the Tamworth accommodation options here.
When you finally reach the Gold Coast, top experience options include kayaking and snorkelling tours, buffet dinner sightseeing cruises and jetboat adventures.
Use this guide to help you plan out the perfect Tamworth to Gold Coast road trip. Click through on the links for more detailed information on the towns and attractions.
Tamworth to Gold Coast distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Tamworth to the Gold Coast is 545km. That makes for a driving time of around six hours and 32 minutes. This is assuming that Surfers Paradise is the final destination on the Gold Coast – for other areas of the Gold Coast, it’ll be a few minutes either side of that figure.
Top stops to add to a Tamworth to Gold Coast road trip itinerary include Armidale, Grafton, Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads.
The best places to stay in Tamworth
There are several Tamworth accommodation options. These, however, are the best picks…
- For excellent value and a pool: Roydons Motor Inn.
- For design flair: CH Boutique Hotel.
- For central location: City Sider Motor Inn.
- For spacious apartments: Cadman Motor Inn and Apartments.
- For heritage and charm: Quality Inn Ashby House.
Tamworth to Gold Coast road trip: Tamworth to Uralla
On the way north out of Tamworth, you’ll go past the Oxley Scenic Lookout and the city’s Botanical Gardens.
Before joining the New England Highway, it’s worth pulling over at the Moonbi Lookout, a massive granite outcrop with great views over the New England countryside.
There are more such outcrops further along, including Captain Thunderbolt’s Rock. This picnic site and photo stop was where a notorious bushranger was shot by police in 1863.
Tamworth to Gold Coast road trip: Uralla to Armidale
The town of Uralla is somewhat obsessed with Captain Thunderbolt, who is buried in the Old Uralla Cemetery on John Street. You’ll find out more about the story in the McCrossin’s Mill Museum – a converted flour mill.
Also in Uralla, you can try your luck panning for golf at the Wooldridge Recreation and Fossicking Area. Don’t expect too much of the shiny stuff to be left behind, though.
The next worthwhile stop is the New England town of Armidale. Things to do in Armidale include helicopter flights over the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, visiting the Saints Mary and Joseph Catholic Cathedral and browsing the New England Regional Art Museum.
The best rated Armidale accommodation is the Tattersalls Hotel, although the Moore Park Inn and Rydges run it close.
Click through to the next section: The Waterfall Way scenic drive.