Self-drive road trip · Australia
Seven nights along Australia's iconic east coast: from the Sydney Harbour to subtropical Brisbane, via beaches, dunes, surf towns and headlands
Per person, estimatedUS$463
Australia's east coast is one of the world's great road-trip canvases, and this seven-night journey from Sydney to Brisbane captures the very best of it. You fly into Sydney, spend two nights soaking up the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the energy of one of the world's most celebrated cities — no car needed, no parking stress — then collect your rental on Day 3 and head north on the Pacific Highway.
Your first stop is Port Stephens, the broad blue bay north of Newcastle whose white sand dunes are among the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and whose sheltered waters are home to a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins. One night here is enough to ride a sandboard, take a dolphin-watching cruise and catch a spectacular sunset over the bay.
Day 4 continues north to Coffs Harbour, a relaxed coastal city where the hinterland meets the sea. The iconic Big Banana is nearby, Muttonbird Island sits just offshore, and Park Beach offers a long, easy swim after the drive from Port Stephens — the longest single leg of the trip at around 250 miles (400 km) and roughly 4½ hours.
Byron Bay gets two nights — and rightfully so. Australia's most easterly point draws surfers, yoga retreats, creative types and beach lovers in equal measure. Walk up to Cape Byron Lighthouse for panoramic views of the Pacific, swim at Wategos or The Pass, explore the village's independent shops and restaurants, and simply enjoy a pace of life that is almost impossible to rush.
The final night is in Brisbane, Queensland's vibrant river city. South Bank Parklands, the Gallery of Modern Art, Fortitude Valley's music scene and the Story Bridge all reward an afternoon's exploration before your flight home from Brisbane Airport the following morning.
Note: This is a one-way, point-to-point self-drive. You fly into Sydney and out of Brisbane, making this an especially clean and practical itinerary with no backtracking. Customers wishing to linger can easily add extra nights in Port Stephens, Coffs Harbour or Brisbane — the route is entirely flexible.
Sydney Harbour is genuinely among the world's great city arrivals — Opera House, Harbour Bridge and all
Port Stephens' Stockton Bight sand dunes are spectacular — among the largest coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere
Dolphin-watching on the calm waters of Port Stephens is one of Australia's most reliable wildlife experiences
Cape Byron Lighthouse walk delivers panoramic Pacific views and the thrill of being at mainland Australia's most easterly point
Byron Bay's beaches, surf culture and village energy give the trip a memorable two-night centrepiece
A clean, logical one-way route of around 1,000 km with no repeated roads and no unnecessary backtracking
Two internationally connected gateway airports — Sydney and Brisbane — make this easy to build into a longer trip
Every stop has a hotel already chosen for you. Open a stop to swap the hotel, add activities or stay longer. The price updates as you go.
Want more time somewhere? Open any stop and tap Add a night. Every day after it moves back, and your dates and price update automatically.
Stay longer or shorter in The Rocks
Your stay in The RocksDays 1–2
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Pick up your car at Sydney (SYD), from 10:00. It's yours for all 6 days.
Arrive at Sydney Airport and make your way into the city — no car required for these first two nights. Sydney rewards unhurried exploration on foot and by ferry. Walk across the Harbour Bridge or book a BridgeClimb for rooftop views across the city. Take a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly or Watsons Bay, passing the Opera House as you go. The Rocks precinct, just minutes from Circular Quay, has weekend markets, convict-era laneways and some of the city's oldest pubs. In the evening, Surry Hills and Newtown offer excellent dining.
No rental car on Days 1–2 — Sydney's CBD is best explored on foot, by Opal card or ferry.
Overnight: Wake Up Sydney Central
“Wake Up Sydney Central is a vibrant hostel perfectly located next to Central Station, offering spacious, spotlessly clean rooms and shared facilities. Guests ra”
Included in your trip1 night, 509 Pitt Street, Sydney
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let The Rocks surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Newcastle
Your stay in NewcastleDays 3–4
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Collect your rental car from Sydney Airport this morning and head north on the Pacific Highway. The drive to Port Stephens takes roughly 2½ hours (about 160 km / 100 miles) — a comfortable start to your road journey. Port Stephens is a broad, sheltered bay backed by the Tomaree National Park and bordered by some of New South Wales' finest sand beaches. The Stockton Bight sand dunes — among the largest coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere — are the area's most dramatic attraction: you can sandboard down them, take a quad-bike tour, or simply walk their crests at sunset. A resident pod of around 90 bottlenose dolphins makes the bay one of the most reliable spots in Australia for dolphin-watching; afternoon cruises depart from Nelson Bay Marina.
Note: Port Stephens accommodation inventory is served by the nearest gateway area. Guests staying closer to Nelson Bay may find additional local options on arrival.
Overnight: The Grand Hotel Newcastle
“This historic Australian hotel charms guests with its warm, welcoming staff, clean comfortable rooms, and exceptional on-site dining featuring fantastic cocktails and quality cuisine. Located perfectly for exploring Newcastle's Foreshore, The Grand Hotel offers great value, a vibrant atmosphere with live jazz nights, and memorable experiences that keep guests returning.”
Included in your trip1 night, 32 Church Street
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Newcastle surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in North Boambee Valley
Your stay in North Boambee ValleyDays 4–5
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Today is the longest drive of the itinerary: approximately 400 km (250 miles) along the Pacific Highway, taking around 4½ to 5 hours. It is a well-signed, largely dual-carriageway route with easy rest stops at Taree, Kempsey and Macksville. Coffs Harbour itself sits where the Great Dividing Range meets the sea, giving it a lush, subtropical hinterland that feels noticeably warmer than Sydney. The harbour area is pleasant for an evening walk, and Park Beach is a long, gentle stretch ideal for a post-drive swim. Nearby Muttonbird Island is accessible at low tide and home to short-tailed shearwaters between September and April.
Overnight: Banana Coast Caravan Park
“Banana Coast Caravan Park delivers exceptional value with spotlessly clean, comfortable cabins, full kitchen facilities, and genuinely warm staff who go the extra mile. Guests rave about its beautiful, well-maintained grounds, convenient beach access, family-friendly atmosphere, and pet-friendly policies—making it the perfect budget-friendly base for a relaxing stop or longer stay.”
Included in your trip1 night, 429 Pacific Highway
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let North Boambee Valley surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Ballina Byron Bay
Your stay in Ballina Byron BayDays 5–6
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
Continue north from Coffs Harbour (approximately 103 mi (165 km) / 1 hour 45 minutes) to Byron Bay, Australia's most easterly point and arguably its most beloved coastal village. Two nights here is the right call: one evening is never enough to settle into Byron's particular rhythm. The Cape Byron Lighthouse walk is the area's signature experience — a 2 mi (3.7 km) coastal path from the town's main beach to the lighthouse headland, with near-guaranteed whale sightings between June and November and dolphins year-round. The town itself is compact enough to walk everywhere: the main street, Jonson Street, has a lively mix of independent shops, cafés and restaurants. Wategos Beach, tucked below the lighthouse, is one of the prettiest in New South Wales.
Overnight: Bay Haven Lodge
“Guests rave about this charming boutique hotel's unbeatable location near Byron Bay town centre and beach, praising its beautifully decorated clean rooms, fantastic spa, and excellent value for money. The peaceful atmosphere and spacious suite options make it perfect for special occasions and relaxing getaways.”
Included in your trip1 night, 16 Shirley Street
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Ballina Byron Bay surprise you.
Stay longer or shorter in Brisbane
Your stay in BrisbaneDays 7–8
Each night you add pushes the rest of the trip back by a day. Your dates, hotels, car and price all update for you, and you can undo it anytime.
The final driving day is around 170 km (105 miles) north from Byron Bay into Queensland — about 2 hours on the M1. Drop your rental car at Brisbane Airport or a city depot, then check in for your last night in Queensland's subtropical capital. Brisbane has changed enormously in the past decade: South Bank Parklands (with its inner-city beach), the Gallery of Modern Art, the Eagle Street Pier precinct, and the pedestrian-friendly Kangaroo Point Cliffs all reward an afternoon's wandering. The Story Bridge, best admired at dusk from Howard Smith Wharves below, is a Queensland icon. Fortitude Valley — just a short walk from the CBD — is the place for dinner and live music.
Return your rental car at Brisbane Airport on the morning of Day 8. Fly home from Brisbane (BNE) — a second internationally connected gateway airport.
Overnight: Code Apartments
“Code Apartments offers spacious, well-maintained apartments with stunning city views in a prime central location, perfect for exploring the Valley and accessing nearby attractions. Guests rave about the comfortable beds, excellent cleanliness, fantastic pool and rooftop facilities, accommodating staff, and unbeatable value for money.”
Included in your trip1 night, 8 Jeays Street, Bowen Hills
No set plans here. Wander, linger over dinner and let Brisbane surprise you.
A rental car is included for all 6 days. Want more room or comfort? Upgrade below.
Pick up, day 1Sydney (SYD), from 10:00
Return, day 5Brisbane (BNE), by 10:00
Good to knowUnlimited miles. Rates assume a driver aged 30 or over.
Operated by AustraliaFlyDrive.
Download this tour's PDF brochure and plan offline: every day, your hotels, the car and our phone numbers.
Our travel experts know these roads. Call and we'll tailor the trip with you.
Estimated total, 2 travelersUS$926
How this road trip stacks up against similar self-drive tours, side by side.
| Tour | |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price, per person | ||||
| From | US$463 | US$436 | US$618 | US$452 |
| Per night | US$77 / night | US$62 / nightBest | US$77 / night | US$75 / night |
| The trip | ||||
| Duration | 7 days, 6 nights | 8 days, 7 nights | 9 days, 8 nights | 7 days, 6 nights |
| Stops | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Places | Sydney, Port Stephens, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Brisbane | Melbourne VIC, Apollo Bay VIC, Port Fairy VIC, Halls Gap Accom - Grampians Under the Stars, Ballarat VIC | Hobart TAS, Freycinet TAS, Launceston TAS, Cradle Mountain TAS, Strahan TAS | Milano, Verona, Lago di Garda Nord, Como |
| Start and finish | Sydney Airport (SYD) – Brisbane Airport (BNE) | Melbourne | Hobart – hOBART | Milan |
| On the road | ||||
| Total driving | About 965 km | About 695 km | About 525 km | About 370 km |
| Longest drive day | About 375 km | About 195 km | About 155 kmBest | About 175 km |
| Car included | Economy | Compact | Compact | Compact |
| Stays and extras | ||||
| Hotels included | 3 to 5-star hotels | 3 to 4-star hotels | 3 to 4-star hotels | 4-star hotels |
| Hotel choice | About 10 hotels per stopBest | About 9 hotels per stop | About 9 hotels per stop | About 9 hotels per stop |
| Airport transfer | Not included | Not included | Not included | Not included |
| You're viewing this tour | View tour | View tour | View tour |
"From" prices are per person for 2 travelers sharing, at the cheapest hotels. Driving is estimated from the stop locations.
FromUS$436per person
FromUS$618per person
FromUS$452per person
FromUS$1,931per person
FromUS$350per person
FromUS$2,355per person
FromUS$763per person
FromUS$640per person
FromUS$676per person
FromUS$434per person