Drive Sydney To Brisbane: The Ultimate 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary

New South Wales, on the east coast of Australia, is one of the world's most beautiful destinations. In this post, I highlight my drive from Sydney to Brisbane along the Pacific Highway on the last leg of my six-week holiday to Australia.

We had already spent eight nights in the Sydney CBD, Bondi Beach, and the Blue Mountains and were ready to embark on one of the best road trips from Sydney, exploring the attractions on Australia's East Coast.

During our New South Wales road trip, we stayed in three different towns: Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, and Byron Bay, for a total of seven nights. It allowed us to get an authentic feel for this world-renowned coastal area.

The driving distance from Sydney to Brisbane is 917 kilometres and takes approximately 12 hours (with no stops), so I wouldn't recommend it. Spread the drive out over three days instead.

I wanted to take my time and drive from Sydney to Brisbane along the coast at a leisurely pace. This proved to be the best thing we could have done, as it allowed us enough time to visit all the best places between Sydney and Brisbane without feeling rushed or missing out on anything.

So if you are looking for the perfect one-week Sydney to Brisbane itinerary, you just found it!

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Quick Guide: 3 stops on your Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip

Port Stephens - Best for a relaxed holiday resort feel.

Port Macquarie - Best for history and wildlife conservation.

Byron Bay - Best for bohemian surfer vibes.

Driving in Australia

From my experience, if you have a driver's license, I recommend renting a car in Australia. The roads are wide and long, and a breeze to drive along compared to the UK!

Like the British, the Australians drive on the left-hand side, so I felt at ease on the roads. Based on my overall experience of driving in Australia, the roads are wide and nowhere near as congested as they are in my home country.

Driving yourself and being on the open road allows you the freedom to see the country on your terms, making any Australian trip an unforgettable experience.

Helpful tips for your drive to Brisbane from Sydney

Driving from Sydney to Brisbane by car, you'll find local drivers travelling faster than you are comfortable with when on some of the more narrow and windy coastal roads. Don't worry about it; there are plenty of pull-ins along the side of the road (which I used frequently) to allow other drivers a chance to pass you safely.

Don't drive faster than the speed limit; be aware that speeds can change quickly. In Australia, there are hefty fines for speeding, so follow the road rules.

I recommend booking a hire car before arriving at your pick-up destination to ensure you get the perfect vehicle. We booked our car from Discover Cars and picked it up in the Sydney CBD. We then dropped off our hired vehicle in central Brisbane.

Remember that when you drive only one way, from Sydney to Brisbane or in reverse from Brisbane to Sydney, you won't be able to return your hired car to its point of origin, which may result in increased rental costs.

Sydney To Brisbane Drive

The massive distance from Sydney to Brisbane is 917km, but it was not the first time I had driven such a long distance on this trip. I had previously undertaken a road trip from Adelaide to Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road.

In that instance, I had planned the route over three days to experience three different towns. I found it to be the perfect way to explore the highlights of the Victoria region of Australia, which is why I followed the same strategy in New South Wales, planning seven nights over three days this time.

The drive time from Sydney to Brisbane is approximately 12 hours if you make the journey in a single day without any overnight stops. If you do that, you would miss out on so much; so follow my travel itinerary to enjoy all the fabulous places along the route.

Sydney to Brisbane Coastal Drive Map

This road trip from Sydney to Brisbane was longer than any drive I've ever done in the UK, but the reward of the incredible scenery as we passed through some of Australia's stunning coastal towns was worth every minute of the long journey.

Is New South Wales worth visiting?

New South Wales is undoubtedly worth visiting! This famous stretch of the Pacific coastline runs for 2137 km and is Australia's oldest state. It borders Queensland to the north (think Great Barrier Reef and Cairns) and Victoria to the south (think Melbourne).

Sydney is the capital of New South Wales, and Australia's most easterly mainland point is north-east of the state at Cape Byron, where you will find the famous Byron Bay lighthouse.

When you think of golden beaches, sun-kissed surfers, Chris Hemsworth (sorry, I'm just dreaming!), the Gold Coast, and bohemian towns, that’s New South Wales. This coastal stretch of Australia tends to feature on most travellers' itineraries as it is just fabulous. And can you even say you've been to Australia if you haven't stepped onto a New South Wales beach? I think not.

Places to stop on the drive from Sydney to Brisbane

Port Stephens - Port Macquarie - Byron Bay

When choosing where to stop on my weeklong itinerary for my Sydney-to-Brisbane drive, I planned each stop based on distances and driving times between towns.

I also needed all my hotel stops to be close to or on the beach (because who wants to visit NSW and stay in the centre of town!). I’m glad to say finding lovely accommodation along the route was easy, as it is a popular tourist destination.

I found three great places to stay during my road trip.

I chose Nelson Bay in Port Stephens (because it was small and had a lovely beach), Port Macquarie (because I liked the look of the river, the harbour, and the beach), and Byron Bay (because you can't come to Australia and not experience the surfer town of Byron). Each place turned out to be perfect for my visit to NSW.

I recommend booking your accommodation before arriving in New South Wales. It is a very popular part of Australia, and nice places are in high demand year-round.

The Start Of Our New South Wales Self-Drive Adventure

After spending an amazing few nights in Sydney CBD, Bondi Beach and then the Blue Mountains, we jumped in the car and drove from Katoomba in the Blue Mountains to Port Stephens.

One Week Sydney To Brisbane Itinerary

Day One - Drive from Sydney to Port Stephens

Driving Time From Sydney (Blue Mountains) to Port Stephens - 2 hours and 45 minutes

Directions: Take A32 from Katoomba and change to M4 at Jamisontown. Join the M7 by Sydney Zoo and continue onto the M2 (Toll Road). You will then transfer to the M11 just before Pennant Hills Golf Club. Continue until you reach the M1 Pacific Highway, which takes you to Port Stephens.

If you are driving from Sydney CBD, the time will be slightly less, at 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Directions: Take the M1 motorway from the Sydney CBD to Port Stephens

Port Stephens - Days 1 and 2

Arriving at Marty's at Little Beach in Port Stephens

Port Stephens is a vibrant town boasting 26 beautiful, golden beaches. We chose to stay at Marty's Apartments in Little Beach, one of the smaller beach areas in Port Stephens, a short walk from the beach. We planned a few days of relaxation at the beach to balance all the sightseeing we had done in Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

Little Beach Reserve is a sheltered bay with a sloping entrance to the sea. It features a golden-sand beach with a grassy area perfect for kids to play or to set up a beach BBQ. The beach also has a lovely restaurant/cafe called Little Beach Boathouse right by the water's edge - the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset.

We spent most of our time in Port Stephens on the beach, swimming and sunbathing. We especially enjoyed watching the pelicans follow the boats out and then back in again, waiting to be fed some of the day's catch.

Apart from chilling out, we drove just outside Nelson Bay one afternoon to walk along Fingal Beach and stock up on groceries at the nearest supermarket.

If you want to be a little more active than we were during your Port Stephens stay, here are some suggestions of activities you may like:

Driving Time From Port Stephens to Port Macquarie along the A1 Highway - 2 hours 15 minutes

Port Macquarie - Days 3 and 4

Exploring Port Macquarie

Our next stop in New South Wales was the coastal town of Port Macquarie. Famed for its picturesque location, it offers visitors a range of fun river and beach activities. The harbour area boasts a variety of restaurants and bars, catering to those seeking a quiet meal or a lively pub atmosphere.

I had read about its rock art trail near Town Beach and, as a lover of street art, wanted to see it for myself. I also really liked the look of Sails Port Macquarie at Rydges, which was set in a prized location overlooking the Hastings River in Pelican Bay.

A stroll from the resort into town led us to the much-anticipated Breakwall art walk, where locals and visitors have left their artworks on rocks for others to enjoy.

For beach lovers, Town Beach is the epitome of an Australian beach. The sand is golden, and the surf rolls in while bronzed bodies wander along the water's edge on their morning walks. It also features an adjacent camping site for those who prefer the great outdoors to a hotel room.

Sunset evenings are not to be missed and are quite a spectacle. During our visit, we loved watching the flying foxes (bats) glide across the sky on their evening hunt. It turns out a nearby cave is home to thousands of them!

For an in-depth look at what Port Macquarie offers a visitor to New South Wales and whether it is what you are looking for, you can click on this link to learn more: 8 Great Things to Do in Port Macquarie, New South Wales.

Byron Bay - Days 5 to 7

A visit to Surfers Paradise

Our final three-day stop on our Sydney drive to Brisbane was the surfer's capital, Byron Bay. No matter where you come from, I challenge you not to have heard of this legendary Australian destination!

If the bohemian vibe of wandering barefoot along the beach, shopping in vintage clothes stores and eating vegan food whilst sipping on ultra-healthy smoothies appeals to you, everything you are looking for is in Byron Bay. And let's not forget that this is one of Australia's meccas for surfers, as evidenced by the numerous surf schools and surf apparel stores along the bay.

One Byron Bay attraction that you have to see is the sunset from the lighthouse. It's where everyone congregates at the end of the day to watch the sky turn a vibrant yellow, orange, and red. Arrive early to secure your spot - it's quite a spectacle!

You can't fail to be impressed by the accommodation available in Byron. Staying at Elements of Byron was quite out of the ordinary. Despite staying in many excellent resorts worldwide, this resort remains one of my favourites. With its Olympic-sized family pool, adults-only pool and cocktail bar, chalet suites hidden in the rainforest and a beach that will make your jaw drop, this is somewhere you won't want to miss.

Oh, and don't miss riding the solar-powered train. It runs from North Beach, just by Elements, to Byron CBD. It's a fun way to get to the hub of Byron Bay.

Arriving in Brisbane

After a two-hour drive from Byron Bay, we arrived in Brisbane for a three-night stay. This would be the last stop of our six-week Australian adventure.

We thoroughly enjoyed our self-drive road trip through New South Wales. This coastline is also home to the Gold Coast, renowned for its vibrant party atmosphere and stunning beaches. Although we didn't want to visit it, you could quite easily stop there on the way to Brisbane from Byron Bay.

After dropping off the hire car and checking into our accommodation at The Point, we explored some of Brisbane's sights.

It was great to take a riverside walk along the South Bank, which reminded us of London's South Bank, see the famous 'man-made Brisbane beach', and take a boat ride on the Brisbane River. On day two of our stay, we took a river cruise to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a highlight of our time in Brisbane that I highly recommend.

Please PIN for future travel to Australia.