Taree to Brisbane road trip: Distance, time & best stops
The best stops on a Taree to Brisbane road trip itinerary include Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. By car, the Taree to Brisbane distance is 606km and driving time around 6h10m.
A Taree to Brisbane road trip heads from the Manning River in New South Wales to the capital of Queensland.
For the best Taree accommodation deals, search here.
Top options in Brisbane include a Moreton Island day trip, climbing the Story Bridge and Segway tours through the botanic gardens. To browse the collection of Brisbane tours and experiences, step this way. For the best value Brisbane hotels, pick here.
This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Taree to Brisbane road trip itinerary.
Click through on the links for more detailed links about individual towns and attractions – and remember to stock up on your road trip essentials before setting off.
Taree to Brisbane distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Taree to Brisbane is 606km. This makes for a driving time of around six hours and 10 minutes.
Excellent road trip stops between Taree and Brisbane include Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.
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.
Taree to Brisbane road trip: Taree to Port Macquarie
The leg from Taree to Port Macquarie brings the Cattai Wetlands near Coopernook, although veering coastward for Crowdy Bay National Park is more rewarding. The Diamond Head campground is a famously good place for seeing kangaroos.
Meanwhile, near the Pacific Highway, you can see the enormous Bird Tree in Middle Brother National Park, drive past Queens Lake and maybe pay a visit to Lake Cathie a visit.
Port Macquarie is an obvious overnight stop. Turn east at the junction with the Oxley Highway to go into the city.
Things to do in Port Macquarie include the Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, riding camels on Lighthouse Beach and taking scenic helicopter flights.
Port Macquarie accommodation picks
The best Port Macquarie accommodation options are…
- For a great value motel: East Port Motor Inn.
- For families: NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park.
- For quality apartments with a heated pool: Northpoint Apartments.
- For beachside location: Flynns Beach Resort.
- For overall quality: The Mid Pacific.
Beyond Port Macquarie, the slower coastal route brings Limeburners Creek National Park, Goolawah National Park and surfing mecca Crescent Head,
Plough on for Hat Head National Park and amiable holiday spot South West Rocks. Top attractions here include Horseshoe Bay Beach and the heritage-oozing Trial Bay Gaol in Arakoon National Park.
South West Rocks accommodation picks
The best South West Rocks accommodation options are:
- For families: NRMA South West Rocks Holiday Park.
- For an indulgent villa: Salt.
- For charm and character: Heritage Guesthouse.
- For great value: Ingenia Holidays South West Rocks.
- For good location, a pool and free parking: Rockpool Motor Inn.
Taree to Brisbane drive: Kempsey to Nambucca Heads
Stay with the Pacific Highway instead, and Billabong Zoo and Cassegrain Wines are the main attractions before reaching Kempsey.
Kempsey pays tribute to the nation’s most adored country musician at the Slim Dusty Centre.
Kempsey accommodation picks include the riverside Park Drive Motel and the pool-equipped Motel Kempsey.
It’s another 106km from Kempsey to Coffs Harbour. You might want to make a short detour to the Yarriabini Lookout for wonderful Macleay River Valley views.
The next town up is Macksville, which offers birdwatching at the Valley of the Mist wetland and local history at the Mary Boulton Pioneer Cottage.
The Mandarin Motel is your best bet for overnight accommodation in Macksville, but you may as well keep going to coastal Nambucca Heads.
Things to do in Nambucca Heads include land-based whale-watching from the Captain Cook Lookout and gentle kayaking through Gaagal Wanggaan National Park.
Find the best Nambucca Heads accommodation
If spending a night or two in Nambucca Heads, here are the best options:
- For an excellent kid-friendly holiday park: Ingenia Holidays White Albatross.
- For a high standard motel with a pool: The Beach Rooms.
- For charm and character: Riverview Boutique Motel.
Click through for the next section: The Coffs Coast