Yamba to Brisbane road trip: Distance, time & best stops
The best stops to add to a Yamba to Brisbane road trip itinerary include Ballina, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. By car, the distance from Yamba to Brisbane is 279km and the driving time around 3h7m.
A Yamba to Brisbane road trip connects two of the most popular spots on the east coast of Australia.
Yamba is a fabulous New South Wales beach town.
Top options in Brisbane, meanwhile, include a Moreton Island day trip, climbing the Story Bridge and visiting native wildlife at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. To browse the collection of Brisbane tours and experiences, step this way. For the best value Brisbane hotels, pick here.
9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
- Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
- Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
- Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
- Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
- Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
- XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
- Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
- See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.
However, there are several excellent attractions between Yamba and Brisbane. This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Yamba to Brisbane road trip itinerary.
Yamba to Brisbane distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Yamba to Brisbane is 279km. This makes for a driving time of around three hours and seven minutes.
Excellent road trip stops between Yamba and Brisbane include Ballina, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.
Turners Beach, Yamba Main Beach and Pippi Beach are among the top spots for swimming and surfing in Yamba. You can also try cliff-jumping at Angourie Blue Pool.
Yamba accommodation worth looking at
Strong Yamba accommodation choices you should take a look at include…
- For a budget stay by the beach: Pacific Hotel.
- For really well equipped apartments by Pippi Beach: The Sands Resort at Yamba.
- For romance and overall quality: The Surf.
- For a holiday park with a water park kids will love: Big4 Saltwater.
Yamba to Brisbane road trip: Bundjalung National Park
It’s a short drive from Yamba to the Pacific Highway and the crossing of the Clarence River. Once north of the river, Bundjalung National Park covers the gap between the coast and the highway.
You can go kayaking along the Esk and Evans rivers, or walking along one of the park’s trails. The ten minute walk to the Iluka Bluff Lookout is a winner for a photo stop, while the 6km Jerusalem Creek Peninsula track from the Black Rocks campground is a more serious leg stretch.
Yamba to Brisbane drive: Woodburn to Ballina
Later on at Woodburn, there’s a possible branch-off to Evans Head and Broadwater National Park.
Here, Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum tells the tale of the town’s huge WWII pilot training base. But the real highlight is the stunning 30km beach that stretches to the north.
5 Ballina experiences to book in advance
- Go on a dolphin watching cruise – sightings are very reliable.
- Take a guided coastal walk – learning about the natural environment on the way.
- Clink glasses as the sun goes down – on a Richmond River sunset cruise.
- Take a cruise to the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve – with a marine biologist pointing out the dolphins, turtles and dramatic cliffs.
- Learn to surf – on a private surfing lesson.
The Pacific Highway, however, runs just west of Ballina. The home of the Big Prawn is one of the major towns in the Northern Rivers region. Ballina activities include private surfing lessons and half day coastal walking tours.
Where to stay in Ballina
The top Ballina accommodation options are:
- For charm and personality: Ballina Manor Boutique Hotel.
- For a holiday park with family-sized cabins and lots kid-friendly facilities: Discovery Parks Ballina.
- For a relatively cheap, good quality motel: Almare Tourist Motel.
- For riverside location: Ramada Hotel and Suites.
Click through to the next section: A stop in Byron Bay.