1 Week Brisbane to Sydney: Road Trip

Day 1. Grafton

Head off from Brisbane. Your first stop is Byron Bay, a place full of tourists and expensive stays but well worth a 1hr visit. Highly recommend doing a quick wander before grabbing a bite from a local café and sitting on the beach for your time here.

Local Tip: Woolworths has free parking for a short time if you want a shorter pitstop.

From here, keep going to Ballina to see the Big Prawn. No need to stay long, just grab a photo with it from the Bunnings car park and share with your friends.

This is the last pitstop today before heading to Grafton, a small town along the highway. There is a local pub called the Crown Hotel that is great to have dinner at, and overlooks the river.

Hotel Recommendation: Hi-Way Motel Grafton

Day 2. Newcastle

After leaving Grafton, the first stop of the day is Bellingen, known for its Scenic Waterfall Way Drive, this can be done in about 1-2 hours, depending on how far up you want to go. 

Then, head down to Port Macquarie. It is not recommended to stay here based on the price of hotels, but it is nice to wander around. There are plenty of fish and chips shops along the water and getting an ice cream isn't a bad idea while you explore the various lookouts.

Tonight will be spent in Newcastle, a quaint town known for its beaches and coastal walk. Grab a bite in the city or along the water before heading to the hotel for the night.

Hotel Recommendation: ibis Newcastle

Day 3. Sydney

Today is your first day in Sydney. But before you arrive, there are some pitstops to make, especially one that is definitely worth the visit! A personal favourite for the trip between Newcastle and Sydney is Frazer Park. This is a beautiful national park that is located just above the Central Coast. It is $8 to enter the park but the views already make up for the cost. There are opportunities to swim, see whales, and bushwalk throughout this amazing place. If you have time, a picnic is highly recommended here. 

When you've finished with your time in nature, it's time to head down to one of Australia's most famous locations, Bondi Beach. Similarly to Byron Bay, the goal is to say you've seen the place, not to spend a fortune on accommodation and food. Instead, park nearby for roughly $7/hour and grab some chips from McDonalds, right next to the beach and walk along the coastal path. 

After this, drive to a secure car park in Sydney centre and park your car. Make sure to pay for overnight parking that lasts until your departure. Even better if this parking is near the hotel. The next few days are for you to decipher but here are some place recommendations.

After checking into the hotel, head to Circular Quay. Go right to see the Sydney Opera House up close and the Royal Botanic Gardens, weaving your way back until you reach Hyde Park and return to the hotel.

Hotel Recommendation: Novotel Sydney Wynward

Day 4. Sydney

There's no time like the present to see the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. From Circular Quay, go left and walk in The Rocks. This stroll will give you the best view of both landmarks. The Rocks Market also has some very lovely food and trinket stalls. 

If you have time, Barangaroo Reserve is a great way to get those steps in or simply cut across to Central Barangaroo, where there are some fancy restaurants for dinner looking out to Darling Harbour. 

Photo Tip 1: There is a wooden boardwalk just outside the Park Hyatt Sydney along the water that is the best photo location for the Opera House. 

Photo Tip 2: The fence around Hickson Road Reserve has great views of the Harbour Bridge. Grab onto the fence and lean out to snap a great picture!

Day 5. Sydney

Take the early ferry to Manly. Some of the top attractions to see here are the beach, the breakfast cafes, and Sydney Harbour National Park. The park features some interesting military history, worth a look at if the weather is nice.

Some other locations to see today could be Pyrmont, to see the Australian National Maritime Museum and to cross Pyrmont Bridge back to Barangaroo, where you can visit Sea Life Aquarium or Madame Tussauds. 

If you are keen for a walk, you have a lovely opportunity to explore further East. Wander through Darlinghurst, Darling Point, Paddington, and Surry Hills. This little circuit will spit you out right near Central Station where you can go up past the Town Hall and through shopping malls to grab some souvenirs.

Day 6. Coffs Harbour

Grab breakfast at a nice spot in Sydney, wherever took your fancy in the last days. Or a good budget option is the fresh toasties at the Woolworths Metro café. It's going to be a slightly longer drive than normal. After checking out from the hotel, start driving towards Coffs Harbour, your destination for the night. 

It is likely you will need to stop once or twice before your destination. The app, FuelMapAustralia, is perfect for deciphering where these stops might be. Perhaps revisiting one of the previous destinations. 

When you arrive in Coffs Harbour, stop at the Big Banana (yes, another big thing). Take some pictures, go on a ride, and grab a bite for lunch. The next step is to check into the hotel. After settling in, prepare for an early night to prepare for the morning and the following drive. If you stay at the recommended hotel, the best place for food is The Coast Hotel, their specials rarely fail to impress. There are also many stores nearby, if required. 

Hotel Recommendation: ibis Budget Coffs Harbour

Day 7. Brisbane

The final day: heading back to Brisbane. The only pitstop planned for this is the Gold Coast, however feel free to stop anywhere else along the way. 

In the morning, go see the Coffs Harbour Jetty and Harbourside Markets. These are great in the late morning. After you collect your things, head up north.  Stop in Surfers Paradise and spend your afternoon in the Gold Coast exploring before completing the rest of your journey back to Brisbane. You should arrive in the late afternoon/early evening, just in time to be ready for the week ahead.