🇦🇺Australia

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

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

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

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17