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🇦🇺Australia

Sydney to Brisbane, Australia : Road Trip
17 day travel itinerary

TripMapper
by TripMapper

Picture perfect beaches, cool cities and stunning national parks - a road tripper’s paradise!

17 Days
Active
Art
Beach
Culture
Food
Nature
Outdoor
Relax
Road Trip
Shopping
Wildlife
Image by Caleb Russell on Unsplash
Image by Josh Withers on Unsplash
Image by Laura Barry on Unsplash
Image by Quentin Grignet on Unsplash

There is no better place to start your adventure than Sydney, Australia’s Harbour City. Exciting, yet easygoing, this glossy waterside cosmopolis has so much to offer. Enjoy the food markets, skyline bars and art galleries. View the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge from the water, and explore Sydney’s surf beaches and tranquil bays.

Say goodbye to Sydney and set off for Port Stephens where you’ll be greeted by pristine waters and stunning sand dunes.

After experiencing a taste of Port Stephens' laid back lifestyle, your next stop will be the majestic Dorrigo National Park, the largest strip of subtropical rainforest on earth.

A visit to Bryon Bay followed by the Gold Coast, Australia's playground, will certainly fill up the next few days of your adventure.

Brisbane, the sun-soaked capital of Queensland, is next on your TripMapper itinerary. Wine and dine at Howard Smith Wharves, indulge at Eat Street Markets, and brighten your style in the city's boutiques.

Use TripMapper to plan your trip and for staying in control of your travel budget. If you are in need of a little inspiration to get you started click 'Customise' to use our interactive Sydney to Brisbane itinerary (below) for the best things to see and do on this Australian road trip - then customise to make your own!

By combining both a trip itinerary app and a travel budget app, TripMapper is the best all-in-one app to help you craft your perfect trip!

* Please check all relevant government guidance prior to, and during, your travels. Please also check any opening & closing times for all establishments contained within our itinerary. Find our Terms of Service here.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Viewing Sydney's world famous man-made wonders from the water
  • Byron Bay's pristine beaches and stunning sunsets
  • Brisbane's boutique stores, world-class art galleries and gastronomic delights
  • Passing through quaint hinterland towns on route to stunning national parks
  • Adrenaline fuelled adventures on Australia's Gold Coast
  • The breathtaking beauty and endless vistas of the Blue Mountains

Discover the Itinerary

Scroll right to view the days

Layout
  • Day 1

    • FOODCoffee/ Snack : Porch and Parlour
      Porch and Parlour, Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYBondi to Coogee coastal walk (see notes)
      Bondi, Bondi Beach NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYExplore Paddington and Surry Hills
      Surry Hills NSW, Australia
    • FOODCoffee & Snack : Single O Surry Hills
      Single O Surry Hills, Reservoir Street, Surry Hills NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYHyde Park Barracks (museum)
      Hyde Park Barracks, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYSydney Harbour Bridge
      BridgeClimb Sydney, Cumberland Street, The Rocks NSW, Australia
  • Day 2

    • ACTIVITYDay trip from Sydney to the Blue Mountains National Park
      Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales, Australia
  • Day 3

    • ACTIVITYExplore The Rocks and Darling Harbour
      The Rocks NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYMuseum of Contemporary Art Australia
      Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, George Street, The Rocks NSW, Australia
    • FOODCoffee/ Snack: MCA Cafe
      MCA Cafe, George Street, The Rocks NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYRoyal Botanic Gardens
      Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYWatch the sunset from Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair
      Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW, Australia
  • Day 4

    • ACTIVITYSpit Bridge to Manly coastal walk (see notes)
      Spit Bridge, New South Wales, Australia
    • FOODCoffee/ Snack : Showbox Coffee Brewers Cafe
      Showbox Coffee Brewers Cafe, Whistler Street, Manly NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYManly Beach
      Manly Beach, New South Wales, Australia
    • TRAVELFerry from Manly Wharf to Circular Quay
      Manly Wharf, New South Wales, Australia
  • Day 5

    • TRAVELDrive to Port Stephens
    • ACTIVITYCultural Quad Bike Riding (see notes)
      Sand Dune Adventures, Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYTilligerry Habitat
      Tilligerry Habitat, King Albert Avenue, Tanilba Bay NSW, Australia
    • FOODLittle Beach Boathouse
      Little Beach Boathouse, Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYWreck Beach walk (see notes)
      Wreck Beach, Shoal Bay NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYTomaree Head Summit walk
      Tomaree Head Summit walk, Shoal Bay Road, Shoal Bay NSW, Australia
  • Day 6

    • FOODCoffee/ Snack : The Little Nel
      The Little Nel, Government Road, Nelson Bay NSW, Australia
    • TRAVELDrive to Port Macquarie
    • ACTIVITYKoala Hospital Port Macquarie
      Koala Hospital, Lord Street, Port Macquarie NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYShelly Beach
      Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie NSW, Australia
  • Day 7

    • TRAVELDrive to Dorrigo National Park
    • ACTIVITYExplore Dorrigo National Park
      Dorrigo Mountain, Dorrigo National Park, Dorrigo Mountain NSW, Australia
    • OTHEREat and explore in Sawtell
      Sawtell NSW, Australia
  • Day 8

    • TRAVELDrive to Byron Bay
    • FOODCoffee/ Snack : Butcher Baker Bangalow
      Butcher Baker Bangalow, Byron Street, Bangalow NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYExplore Bangalow
      Bangalow NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYThe Farm
      The Farm Byron Bay, Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale NSW, Australia
    • FOODThree Blue Ducks
      Three Blue Ducks Byron Bay, Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYCape Byron walking track
      Cape Byron Walking Track, Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYSunset at The Pass
      The Pass, Byron Bay NSW, Australia
  • Day 9

    • ACTIVITYSkydive
      Skydive Byron Bay, Pacific Hwy, Tyagarah NSW, Australia
    • FOODCoffee/ Snack : Beach Kiosk Byron Bay
      Beach Byron Bay, Massinger Street, Byron Bay NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYExplore Bryon Bay
      Lawson Street, Byron Bay NSW, Australia
    • ACTIVITYWategos Beach
      Wategos Beach, New South Wales, Australia
  • Day 10

    • ACTIVITYSnorkelling - Julian Rocks Marine Reserve (see notes)
    • TRAVELDrive to Burleigh Heads
    • ACTIVITYSunset at Burleigh beachfront
      Burleigh Pavilion, Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads QLD, Australia
  • Day 11

    • FOODCoffee/ Snack : The Paddock Bakery
      Paddock Bakery, Hibiscus Haven, Burleigh Heads QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYTallebudgera Creek (see notes)
      Tallebudgera Surf Club, Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYOcean view walk at Burleigh Head National Park
      Burleigh Head National Park, Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYSunset adventure kayak tour (see notes)
      Budds Beach, Surfers Paradise QLD, Australia
    • OTHERRoam and eat at the Miami Marketta
      Miami Marketta, Hillcrest Parade, Miami QLD, Australia
  • Day 12

    • ACTIVITYParasailing (see notes)
      Main Beach QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYWalk along Surfer's Paradise Esplanade
      Surfers Paradise Esplanade, Esplanade, Surfers Paradise QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYSkyPoint Observation Deck
      SkyPoint Observation Deck, Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise QLD, Australia
    • FOODCoffee/Snack : Elk Espresso, Broadbeach
      ELK Espresso, Broadbeach QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYPacific Fair (shopping)
      Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach QLD, Australia
  • Day 13

    • TRAVELDrive to Mount Cordeaux
      Crest Carpark, Tregony QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYHike Mount Cordeaux lookout
      Mount Cordeaux Lookout, Tarome QLD, Australia
    • FOODCoffee/ Snack : Hummingbirds Natural Pantry & Cafe
      Hummingbirds Natural Pantry & Cafe, Railway Street, Boonah QLD, Australia
    • ACCOMMODATIONKetchup's Bank Glamping
      Ketchup's Bank Glamping, Green Hills Road, Cannon Creek QLD, Australia
  • Day 14

    • ACCOMMODATIONKetchup's Bank Glamping
      Ketchup's Bank Glamping, Green Hills Road, Cannon Creek QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYWarner Bros. Movie World
      Warner Bros. Movie World, Pacific Motorway, Oxenford QLD, Australia
    • TRAVELDrive to Brisbane
  • Day 15

    • FOODCoffee/ Snack : Morning After.
      Morning After., Cambridge Street, West End QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYExplore West End neighbourhood
      Jane Street, West End QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYStroll around South Bank
      South Bank, South Brisbane QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYKangaroo Point lookout (views)
      Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, River Terrace, Kangaroo Point QLD, Australia
    • TRAVELCityHopper Ferry - Maritime Museum Ferry Terminal to Riverside Ferry Terminal (see notes)
    • ACTIVITYQueen Street Mall (shopping)
      Queen Street Mall, Queen Street, Brisbane City QLD, Australia
    • FOODDrink : Howard Smith Wharves
      Howard Smith Wharves, Boundary Street, Brisbane City QLD, Australia
    • OTHERFortitude Valley (food and night life)
      Fortitude Valley QLD, Australia
  • Day 16

    • FOODCoffee/ Snack : Jocelyn's Provisions
      Jocelyn's Provisions, James Street, Fortitude Valley QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYStroll around James Street precinct
      James Street, New Farm QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYNew Farm Park
      New Farm Park, New Farm QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYBrisbane Powerhouse (art & cultural hub)
      Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm QLD, Australia
    • OTHEREat/drink/shop at Eat Street Northshore (see notes)
      Eat Street Northshore, MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton QLD, Australia
  • Day 17

    • FOODCoffee/ Snack : Paddington Social
      Paddington Social, Given Terrace, Paddington QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYMount Coot-tha Lookout (views)
      Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout, Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, Mount Coot-Tha QLD, Australia
    • ACTIVITYLone Pine Koala Sanctuary
      Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket QLD, Australia