Road Trip from Brisbane to Coffs Harbor

Plan your perfect road trip itinerary with best places to stop between Brisbane and Coffs Harbor, including a hidden gem - Sawtell Beach.

Coffs Harbor is a little paradise almost halfway between Brisbane and Sydney. It takes about 4 hr 30 min from Brisbane and about 5 hours from Sydney. So, if you are planning a road trip to Sydney from Brisbane or vice versa, this little coastal town can be your perfect overnight stop.

Total Driving Distance: 382.9 km via M1 and Pacific Hwy/A1

Brisbane - The Capital City of Queensland

Starting in Brisbane, we took a stroll along the South Bank, and took City Cat (water taxi) from South Bank to Kangaroo point. Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland with over 2 million people and glittering skyscrapers. You can read my another blog on Top 5 things to do in Brisbane.

Brisbane to Gold Coast

Driving distance: 77 km via M1

Driving from Brisbane to Gold Coast may take over 2 hours depending on the time of the day. We started from Brisbane at 1'o clock and it took us almost 1 hour 30 min to reach Surfers Paradise, one of the busiest yet stunning beach in Gold Coast.

Gold Coast - A Subtropical Heaven

Surfers Paradise offers a huge selection of restaurants, as well as gift shops, theme parks and adrenaline sports like indoor skydiving or extreme jet boating to keep you amused all day and even night. Gold Coast is famous for its nightlife and casinos'. Gold Coast is a perfect place to soak yourself in sun or dance all night with cocktails by the pool.

If you have an extra day, you can explore lush hinterland such as Mount Tambourine, walk among the rainforest canopy on O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walkway in Lamington National Park or enjoy the Natural bridge at Springbrook National Park.

Byron Bay - Most Easterly point of Australia

Distance from Gold Coast: 93.3 km via M1 (1 hr 30 min)

Byron Bay is a 'must-see' spot on your Brisbane to Coffs Harbour journey. It is a small coastal town with laid-back pace and beautiful beaches. When you are here don't miss to check out the Byron Cape lighthouse, most Easterly point of mainland Australia.

Pro Tip: Parking at the lighthouse is limited and expensive. Reach early morning to get a parking spot or take a short walk to the lighthouse.

Coffs Harbor - The Big Banana

Driving distance from Byron Bay: 228.1 km via Pacific Hwy

You journey wont be complete without stopping at this iconic place called - The Big Banana.

This place has plenty of stuff to do from indulging into banana delicacies, having a meal at the restaurant to adding a little fun trying ice skating, tobogganing or laser tag in the water park. whatever you pick to do but don't forget to take the 'obligatory' photo in front of the Big Banana.

Pro tip: Try Banana Split and you wont regret it.This place is always busy and very touristy.

Sawtell Beach - A Hidden Gem

We camped overnight at Big4 Park Resort at Sawtell. Sawtell is a small community town just 13 km south of Coffs Harbor. At the southern end of Sawtell Beach is an offshore island, which creates a sheltered position on the coast. Between the island and the headland is a bay/lagoon type area.

Big4 Sawtell Resort has a beautiful creek access to the beach and as it was very low tide we walked straight across to the island and explored the little rock pools. Next, we went to the Bonville Headlands View Point, which is famous for watching the migrating whales. We found a beautiful spot, Sawtell Memorial rock pool tucked away at the end of the headland, with glorious sands stretching out beyond the pool. Unfortunately, the pool was closed for renovations at the time.

Pro tip: There are no toilets close to the pool but at the top of the cliff with no showers.