7 Day Sydney to Brisbane Intinerary

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1 Week intinery From Sydney to Brisbane

Best Time to do a Sydney to Brisbane Roadtrip

Cost from Sydney to Brisbane Roadtrip

From Sydney to Brisbane:

The drive from Sydney to Brisbane is one of the best coastal road trips in Australia. Covering around 900 km, the route passes through beautiful beach towns, scenic lookouts, national parks, and relaxed surf spots.

This 7-day Sydney to Brisbane road trip itinerary includes the best places to stop, swim, hike, and stay along the coast.

What to expect:

Sydney → Newcastle → Forster → Port Macquarie → Coffs Harbour → Byron Bay → Yamba → Brisbane

Distance: ~900 km

Recommended trip length: 5–7 days

Best time to travel: September–April

1-Week Itinerary (7 Days): Sydney to Brisbane (Coastal Highlights)

Day 1: Sydney → Newcastle → Nelson Bay

Drive time: 2.5 hours
Distance: 170 km

Highlights

• Explore Newcastle’s waterfront

• Swim at Nelson Bay

• Coastal views from Tomaree Head

Where to Stay

• Newcastle hostels

• Beachside campgrounds

I would recommend to at least spend 3 days in Sydney. Refer to my post 10 iconic things to do in Sydney for more information.

After Sydney your first stop up the east coast will be Newcastle, about a 2.5hrs drive. In above mentioned post you will find things to do in newcastle. From Newcastle to nielson bay it is just a short drive to enjoy scenig views. This day brings you all the way up to Blueys Beach where you can camp for free and enjoy scenic views over the ocean. In total this is about a three hour drive.

On the next morning head up early to beat the heat

Day 2: Newcastle → Port Stephens → Seal Rocks → Forster / Pacific Palms

Drive time: ~3–4 hours
Distance: ~180 km

Highlights

• Visit the beaches and sand dunes of Port Stephens

• Coastal views at Seal Rocks

• Relaxed beach towns around Forster and Pacific Palms

Start your morning with a short drive north from Newcastle to Port Stephens, a beautiful coastal area known for its turquoise water, dolphin cruises, and massive sand dunes. If you have time, climb Tomaree Head Summit Walk for one of the best panoramic views on the New South Wales coast.

Continue up the coast toward the quiet village of Seal Rocks, one of the most underrated stops on this road trip. The beaches here feel remote and untouched, making it a great place for a swim or quick beach walk.

From here, continue north to the Forster and Pacific Palms area, where you’ll find beautiful coastal scenery and relaxed seaside accommodation.

Overnight: Forster / Pacific Palms

Day 3: Forster → Trial Bay Gaol → Port Macquarie → Shelly Beach

Drive time: ~3 hours
Distance: ~220 km

Highlights

• Historic ruins at Trial Bay Gaol

• Lunch stop in Port Macquarie

• Sunset at Shelly Beach

Leave Forster in the morning and head north along the scenic Pacific Highway. A great optional stop is Trial Bay Gaol, a historic 19th-century prison ruin located right beside the ocean inside Arakoon National Park. It’s a fascinating stop with incredible coastal views.

Continue to Port Macquarie, a vibrant coastal town known for its beaches, coastal walking track, and relaxed café scene. This is a perfect place for lunch or a walk along the waterfront.

Finish the day at Shelly Beach, a beautiful coastal spot popular with surfers and travellers. It’s also known as a budget-friendly overnight stop (always check local signage for current rules).

Overnight: Shelly Beach / Port Macquarie

Day 4: Port Macquarie → Nambucca Heads → Coffs Harbour

Drive time: ~2.5 hours
Distance: ~160 km

Highlights

• Scenic riverside views at Nambucca Heads

• Swimming at Jetty Beach

• Sunset from Boambee Headland Lookout

Today’s drive is shorter, giving you time to explore along the way. Stop in Nambucca Heads, a charming coastal town where the river meets the ocean. The V-Wall is a colourful breakwater covered in painted rocks left by travellers.

Continue north to Coffs Harbour, one of the main hubs on the New South Wales coast. Spend the afternoon swimming at Jetty Beach or walking along the marina.

For sunset, head to Boambee Headland Lookout, which offers sweeping views of the coastline.

Overnight: Coffs Harbour

Day 5: Coffs Harbour → Byron Bay

Drive time: ~3 hours
Distance: ~240 km

Highlights

• Quiet beach stop along the Northern Rivers coast

• Lighthouse views in Byron Bay

• Sunset at Cape Byron Lighthouse

Leave Coffs Harbour in the morning and continue north toward the famous surf town of Byron Bay. Along the way, stop at one of the many quiet beaches on the Northern Rivers coast for a swim or picnic.

Once you arrive in Byron Bay, head up to Cape Byron Lighthouse, the easternmost point of mainland Australia. The views from here are incredible and it’s one of the best sunset spots on the entire trip.

Spend the evening exploring Byron’s cafés, restaurants, and beachside atmosphere.

Overnight: Byron Bay

Day 6: Byron Bay → Yamba

Drive time: ~2 hours
Distance: ~130 km

Highlights

• Relaxed beach day

• Views from Yamba Lighthouse

• Coastal walks and riverside scenery

Enjoy a slow morning in Byron Bay before heading south to the laid-back coastal town of Yamba.

Yamba has a relaxed surf town vibe and is often considered a quieter alternative to Byron Bay. Walk up to Yamba Lighthouse for beautiful ocean views, or spend the afternoon swimming at Main Beach.

Grab dinner at one of the local seafood spots and enjoy the peaceful coastal atmosphere.

Overnight: Yamba

Day 7: Yamba → Surfers Paradise → Brisbane

Drive time: ~4–5 hours
Distance: ~300 km

Highlights

• Beach stop at Surfers Paradise

• Arrival in Brisbane

Start the final stretch of the trip heading north toward Queensland. A fun stop along the way is Surfers Paradise, located on the Gold Coast. Walk along the famous beach, grab lunch, or enjoy the lively atmosphere.

After your stop, continue the short drive to Brisbane, Queensland’s vibrant riverside capital.

Celebrate the end of your coastal road trip with dinner in the South Bank Parklands, one of the city’s most popular waterfront areas.

This 7-day itinerary is perfect if you want a relaxed coastal road trip with plenty of beach stops and scenic viewpoints.

If you have more time, continue north toward Airlie Beach, the Whitsundays, and Cairns to complete the full East Coast Australia road trip.

Best Time to Do a Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip

The drive between Sydney and Brisbane can be done year-round, but some seasons offer better weather and fewer crowds.

Spring (September – November)

One of the best times for this road trip. Temperatures are warm, beaches are quieter, and coastal towns like Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour are less crowded.

Summer (December – February)

Great beach weather but also peak tourist season. Expect busy towns, especially in Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.

Autumn (March – May)

Another fantastic time to travel. Warm water, fewer crowds, and perfect conditions for coastal walks.

Winter (June – August)

Milder temperatures but still pleasant along the coast. This is also the whale watching season along the New South Wales coast.

Cost of a Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip

One of the best things about travelling along Australia’s east coast is that the trip can fit many different budgets. Whether you're backpacking, travelling mid-range, or renting a campervan, there are plenty of ways to keep costs manageable.

Below is a rough estimate of what you can expect to spend on a 7-day road trip from Sydney to Brisbane.

Fuel Costs

The distance between Sydney and Brisbane along the coastal route is roughly 900 km.

For an average car using about 8L per 100 km, you can expect to use around 70–80 litres of fuel for the trip.

Estimated fuel cost:

• $120 – $180 total depending on fuel prices and vehicle type.

Sharing the cost with friends can make the trip even cheaper.

Accommodation Costs

Accommodation along the coast ranges from budget hostels to beachside resorts.

Budget traveller

• Hostels: $25–40 per night

• Campgrounds: $15–35 per night

Mid-range traveller

• Hotels or motels: $120–200 per night

Campervan travel

• Campervan rental: $70–150 per day

• Campgrounds: $20–40 per night

Many coastal towns such as Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and Yamba offer affordable holiday parks and campsites close to the beach.

Food and Daily Expenses

Food costs depend largely on whether you eat out or cook your own meals.

Average daily budget:

• Groceries: $15–30 per day

• Restaurants or cafés: $20–50 per meal

Many travellers mix both options by buying breakfast and lunch from supermarkets and enjoying dinner at local restaurants in places like Byron Bay or Surfers Paradise.

Total Estimated Cost for 7 Days

Budget traveller:
$400 – $600 total

Mid-range traveller:
$900 – $1,500 total

Campervan road trip:
$800 – $1,400 depending on rental costs.

Ways to Save Money on the Trip

• Travel with friends and split fuel costs

• Stay in campgrounds or hostels

• Cook some of your meals

• Visit free beaches and national parks along the route

Many of the best experiences on this road trip—like swimming, beach walks, and scenic lookouts—are completely free.

For more East Coast travel itineraries, see here: 2 Week Travel intinery from Brisbane to Cairns