The Gold Coast To Sydney 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary

What to pack for a road trip

Our campervans are well-equipped with everything you’ll need, comfort- and van-wise. All you’ll need to pack are your clothes, toiletries, and a couple of good books for those times when you need to just stop everything and relax.

Check out the weather for each planned stop before you go. This will give you an idea of what type of clothes you’ll need to take with you.

Pack enough food for a couple of days. You can stock up at local supermarkets and grocery stores along the way.

Sights to see on a 7-day Gold Coast to Sydney road trip

Day 1- 2: Gold Coast / Brisbane to Yamba – about 180km (2 hours)

Start your journey from the Gold Coast and head south, stopping for breakfast or a cuppa at Hastings Point, a small beach hamlet nestled on the banks of Cudgera Creek. The General Store overlooks the creek entrance, offering good coffee and a variety of options for breakfast.

Take a walk across the road and up to the headland for views up to Cabarita in the north and Pottsville in the south. Look out for dolphins and even whales if you’re there between May and October.

Feel like a swim after your walk? The creek is great for snorkelling and swimming, or floating along on a pool noodle or boogie board on the incoming/outgoing tide.

Next up, if you’re keen for more sensational views, head to Byron Bay. Find the parking area at The Pass (end of Brooke Drive), which is the start of the Walgun Cape Byron Walking Track. Soak up spectacular coastal views as you walk all the way up to the lighthouse and back. Look out for turtles, dolphins and whales on your way.

Next up, follow the beach road and make a pit stop for a late lunch at beautiful Lennox Head. The Lennox Hotel offers a great view along with your meal; there are several other choices in town if you prefer something simple.

From Lennox Head, drive for about 1.25 hours to your final destination for the day – Calypso holiday park, Yamba on the Clarence River.

Things to do in Yamba

Yamba is a great place for fishing on or by the Clarence River, swimming at the local beaches and surfing at Angourie Point.

Originally rock quarries, the Blue and Green Pools at Angourie Beach offer a refreshing dip in spring-fed freshwater if you’d like a change from salty seawater. For the history buffs, there are two self-guided walks that retrace the steps of the explorer Matthew Flinders around the historical sites of the town.

Copies of the Yamba Historical Walks guides can be picked up at The Yamba Museum, where the walks begin.

Day 3: Yamba to Port Macquarie – about 300km (3.5 hours)

Head south towards Port Macquarie, stopping at the iconic Big Banana Fun Park at Coffs Harbour for a selfie. Buy a pass and try out some of the many attractions for fun while you’re there.

Next up, head to Sawtell and enjoy a late breakfast or early lunch in this beachside hamlet. The Kiosk Sawtell Beach, Sawtell RSL, or the Sawtell Hotel (est. 1932) are great choices for a meal and the quaint, tree-lined main street has a variety of shops to wander through and stretch your legs afterwards.

Your final destination for the day is Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park. As its name suggests, this caravan park is located alongside the Hastings River in the heart of Port Macquarie.

Things to do in Port Macquarie

The holiday park is almost at the beginning of the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. Pass historic sites, stunning coastal scenery, beaches, and rainforest along this walk.

You can take it as a full day walk or break it up into shorter walks over a couple of days.  The breakwall is an interesting stroll in itself, with practically every inch of the rocks on this structure covered in paintings by families, travellers and anyone who found a gap to make their mark.

Port Macquarie has a variety of beaches that offer everything from patrolled swimming areas to excellent surfing and kite surfing spots.

Fishing off the breakwall is a popular recreational activity and there are charter trips available for those who would like to try their luck in deep water. You can also jump on a dolphin or whale-watching cruise from the marina nearby.

Day 5: Port Macquarie to Nelson Bay via Myall Lakes – about 280km (3.5 hours)

You could take the faster route to Nelson Bay via the M1 but then you’d miss out on a scenic drive along the Lakes Way – through the twin township of Forster-Tuncurry, past Wallis and Myall Lakes and some very pretty beaches.

Stop for a coffee at Tuncurry Rock Pool, overlooking Coolongolook River and Forster bridge/breakwall, and watch the many pelicans hanging around for a snack. It’s a popular spot for locals for an early morning swim and there’s a netted swimming area if you feel like a dip before you head off.

Pacific Palms Recreation Club (‘The Recky’) overlooks Wallis Lake and is a great place for a glass of wine or a beer and a bite to eat. Check out the beautiful beaches (Elizabeth, Shelley, Boomerang and Blueys Beach) along the way.

If you feel like a decent walk, stop off at Buladelah and take a hike up Buladelah Mountain, a legislated aboriginal place with a 1.7km return walking track and a scenic lookout over the town of Buladelah.

From Bulahdelah Lookout it’s about 1.5 hours to your next campgrounds at Halifax Holiday Park, Nelson Bay overlooking scenic Port Stephens.

Things to do in Nelson Bay

Check out Port Stephens from the water by taking a return trip to Tea Gardens or a sunset cruise from Nelson Bay on the quaint Original Tea Gardens Ferry.

Explore the area on land by checking out the panoramic views from the many lookouts in the area, including Gan Gan Hill Lookout and Tomaree Head Summit Walk.

Walk into town from the holiday park to find charming cafes and unique shops offering local treasures. There are plenty of sheltered beaches in the area to swim in and relax on.

Day 7: Nelson Bay to Lane Cove, Sydney – about 200km (2.5 hours)

Head south to Sydney, stopping off for some fresh oysters/seafood and lovely views across the Hawkesbury River at the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed – eat in or take away (open Thursday to Sunday 10am – 4pm). After you’ve had your fill, continue on to your final destination.

Located in the green bushland of the 1000-acre Lane Cove National Park, Discovery Parks Lane Cove is an excellent base for exploring the City of Sydney.

Take an easy drive over to the Northern Beaches or a day trip out to the Blue Mountains, catch a train into the heart of the city, or explore Lane Cove National Park by taking the Riverside Walk.

There’s so much to do in Sydney, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The only dilemma you’ll face is how long to stay in this amazing city!

Book your Gold Coast to Sydney campervan road trip

So, what are you waiting for? Book your Gold Coast Campervan and head off on a road trip that will fill your soul with the joys that contact with the ocean brings and your eyes with the spectacular coastal scenery that will greet you along the way.

Our campervans come fully equipped with everything you need to make your adventure easy and stress free.

Book now