The Ultimate Sydney to Byron Bay Road Trip Guide
For adventure lovers—there is no better feeling than hitting the open road. A road trip from Sydney to Byron Bay has all the makings of an unforgettable journey— beautiful landscapes, charming beachside towns, and must-visit pit stops dotted along the way.
Journey with us along Australia’s east coast with the ultimate Sydney to Byron Bay road trip guide.
Sydney to Newcastle
Starting in the bustling metropolis of Sydney, head north on the Pacific Motorway (M1) toward Newcastle. The first leg of your Sydney to Byron Bay road trip is a 2.5 hour journey that will take you through national parks and over scenic bridges, before arriving in Newcastle. Book a night at luxury boutique hotel Crystalbrook Kingsley, spend a lazy afternoon exploring the city’s galleries and historic sights, and take your pick of restaurants in the ultimate foodie destination.
PIT STOP: DISTILLERY BOTANICA
Make sure to make a pit stop at Distillery Botanica in Erina—just one hour from Sydney. The award-winning distillery is set amongst three acres of tranquil gardens and offers the perfect spot to sample and purchase Moore’s Dry Gins, Mr Black and Distillery Botanica’s Vodka and liqueurs.
Image credit: Destination NSW
PIT STOP: MEREWETHER OCEAN BATHS
As you make your way into Newcastle, stop off at nearby Merewether Ocean Baths for a quick dip. The bath, the largest in the South Hemisphere, is a hit amongst road trippers and the perfect place to cool off after a long journey.
Image credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle to Port Macquarie
The second leg of your Sydney to Byron road trip will take you from Newcastle to Port Macquarie in just under three hours. The route again will take you through some of the coast’s most picturesque nature reserves with plenty of spots to help break your journey.
PIT STOP: BLUEYS BEACH
While you might be spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches between Newcastle and Port Macquarie, Blueys Beach is one of the best. Located in Pacific Palms just south of Forster, Blueys is a famous surfing and swimming beach with beautiful headland views.
Image credit: Destination NSW
PIT STOP: BILLABONG ZOO KOALA & WILDLIFE
Located just outside of Port Macquarie, Billabong Zoo Koala & Wildlife Park gives road-tripping animal-lovers the chance to get up close and personal with over 80 species of mammals, reptiles and birds.
Image credit: Destination NSW
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour
The next leg of the road trip will take you from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour—a quaint seaside town known for its beaches, Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve and surrounding banana plantations. The journey is under two hours, allowing plenty of time to stop and take in the area's natural beauty, as well as a few unusual sights.
PIT STOP: URUNGA BOARDWALK
Urunga Boardwalk is located 30-minutes south of Coffs Harbour and is a NSW East Coast highlight. The 600m boardwalk begins in Urunga and passes along the banks of the Kalang River, to the junction with the Bellinger River and out to the sea, offering beautiful river valley views.
PIT STOP: DORRIGO NATIONAL PARK
Although Dorrigo National Park requires a short detour, it provides the perfect nature fix before making your way to Coffs Harbour. The World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest features breath-taking waterfall walks through lush wilderness, plenty of BBQ and picnic spots and excellent birdwatching.
Image credit: Destination NSW
PIT STOP: BIG BANANA
A trip to Coffs Harbour is not complete without a pit stop at the iconic Big Banana. Not only is the Big Banana a tourist attraction, but a fun park featuring mini golf, laser tag, ice skating and a range of water slides and rides.
Image credit: Destination NSW
Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay
The last stretch from Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay is a 2.5-hour journey. As you reach your final destination, take a wander through Byron Bay’s charming town centre, enjoy the views from the lighthouse, and soak up some rays at Wategos Beach before relaxing in the lap of luxury at Crystalbrook Byron.
PIT STOP: PIPPI BEACH
Located in Yamba, 1.5 hours from Coffs Harbour, Pippi Beach is one of the area's most popular surf beaches. With a stretch of sand spanning 1.6km, Pippi Beach is the perfect spot to stretch your legs, and take a dip before ending your journey in Byron Bay.
Image credit: Destination NSW