Sydney to Byron Bay road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
The Sydney to Byron Bay drive covers a distance of 774km in a driving time of approximately 8h12m. The best Sydney to Byron Bay road trip stops include Newcastle, Forster, Coffs Harbour and Yamba.
This independent, Australia travel expert-researched guide is aimed at travellers planning a road trip itinerary from Sydney to Byron Bay in New South Wales. To just book Byron Bay accommodation, go here, and to look for the best tours and activities, go here.
To learn more about the Sydney to Byron Bay drive, including the distance, driving time and the best stops along the route, read on…
Planning a Sydney to Byron Bay road trip
A Sydney to Byron Bay road trip heads from the New South Wales capital to the tourism hub of the Northern Rivers region.
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.
Byron Bay brings kayaking with dolphins, wildlife safaris, rainforest tours and a whole lot of alternative lifestyle energy.
If you can do just one thing in Byron Bay, make it kayaking with dolphins. The scenery’s beautiful, and you can get much closer to the dolphins than you would on a boat tour. BOOK HERE.
But half the fun is getting there – and there are several excellent road trip stops to add to the itinerary along the way.
Sydney to Byron Bay distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Sydney to Byron Bay is 774km. This makes for a driving time of around eight hours and 12 minutes.
Excellent road trip stops between Sydney and Byron Bay include Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.
You might, however, get more memories from smaller spots such as Seal Rocks, Crescent Head and Yamba.
Sydney to Byron Bay road trip: To the Hawkesbury River
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.
The first section of the Sydney to Byron Bay road trip is the 170km drive from Sydney to Newcastle.
Some stops in Sydney’s northern suburbs are worth considering. These include Lane Cove National Park, Cumberland State Forest in West Pennant Hills and the architecturally-dazzling Rose Siedler House in Wahroonga.
Also mull over short detours to the gorgeous 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 might wish to join the Riverboat Postman cruise. This postal boat brings tourists along as it delivers mail to small river communities like Dangar Island.
Sydney to Byron Bay drive: Central Coast
The Central Coast is on the other side of the Hawkesbury Bridge, although beach towns such as Terrigal or The Entrance require a hefty detour.
Stay near the Pacific Motorway, though, and the Broken Bay Pearl Farm in Mooney Mooney shows how pearls are cultivated on its pearl farm tour.
Nearer Gosford, you’ll find the Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, Australian Reptile Park and Girrakool Loop walking track.
Glenworth Valley near Popran National Park, meanwhile, runs activities such as abseiling, horse-riding and quad biking.
Pleasant photo stops before hitting Newcastle include Somersby Falls, Strickland Falls and the Jilliby Lookout. Treetops Adventure Central Coast and Amazement Farm and Fun Park will eat a bit more of your time.
Build in a Newcastle stopover?
The Sydney to Byron Bay drive continues between Morriset and Cooranbong, veering west of Lake Macquarie and near the southern end of Watagans National Park.
The motorway goes around the second largest city in New South Wales – Newcastle. But you might wish to make an overnight stop here.
If so, pay a visit to the magnificent 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 watching wildlife at Blackbutt Reserve, whale-watching tours and visiting several good quality museums.
Newcastle also offers coastal boat tours, street art walks and evening true crime tours.
Newcastle accommodation heroes include the lavish Crystalbrook Kingsley, the peppy QT Newcastle and the heritage-drenched Grand Hotel.
Click through for the next section: Port Stephens activities.