7 Days Roadtrip New South Wales

7 Day Trip Planner NSW

Picking up a Wicked Camper in Sydney? Sick! Go explore the beaches and dope hinterland of the Central Coast, get mashed up in the wineries of the Hunter Valley or enjoy the picturesque views of Port Stephens. Avid golf player I hear you say? That’s random. But hey, why not work on your swing in a rainforest golf course on the Coffs Coast, or head up to Byron Bay and chill along the beach with a big fat one. Want to get wet? Yeah dive right in baby, dive right in at the Solitary Islands Marine Park, there’s loads of fish…and they’re colorful. If all that sounds a bit boring and you want to get on it, then head up to the bright lights of the Gold Coast. It’s not for everyone’s taste, but hey if plastic is your thing then check it out. Don’t so I didn’t warn you. But seriously, there’s some beautiful parts to check out.

This road trip planner takes you from Sydney to Brisbane, offering rad beaches, chilled villages, cool rainforests, adventure and good vibes along the way. Enjoy our wicked breakdown below (no puns intended).

Day 1 - Sydney to Central Coast

Take a drive out of Sydney’s northern suburbs to the Central Coast, where you can take a bushwalk in Bouddi National Park, surf it up in Avoca and fish from the beach in Terrigal. Then check out the Coast Walking Track through pretty Bateau Bay and explore the protected beaches and wildlife of Toowoon Bay.

Heading further north, fish and feed pelicans – yep, pelicans. Who doesn’t like pelican’s man, you’ll find ‘em from the ocean beaches of the Entrance. If activities are your thing, there’s plenty of canoeing, waterskiing, sailing, rowing and sailboarding on offer on the Tuggerah Lake.

Heading inland, you can take a ferry or chartered yacht to Brisbane Water National Park, where the bushwalks lead you past some dope Aboriginal art and trippy wildflowers. Trippy wildflowers man.

Day 2 - Central Coast to Hunter Valley

Drive through Newcastle and stop to surf at Nobby's Beach, take a swim at Bar Beach, get high and go hang-gliding (at the same time) at Dixon Park or scuba dive the many wrecks near Newcastle Harbour. Chill and have lunch at a café along the boardwalk or go check out at Queens Wharf, before heading for a piss up at the vines of the Hunter Valley.

Plenty of top piss here mate. Buy straight from cellar doors in the rolling hills of Lovedale and taste handcrafted-wines in Broke, a glorious, just glorious village surrounded by olive groves and yellow rock.

I just love yellow rock. Or if all this sounds lame, head for the sky with a tandem skydiving experience in Cessnock, whhhooooo extreme man.

Day 3 – Hunter Valley to Port Stephens

Take a drive up to the Nelson Head Lighthouse and have a coffee with panoramic views over the bay. From Nelson Bay, you can kayak or cruise next to bottle-nosed dolphins (ahh they’re so cute maaaan) and dive or snorkel with other marine life at Fly Point.

Back on the other side of the bay, walk to the top of Tomaree Headland in Tomaree National Park and roll about it the sand dunes of Stockton Beach. Sand can be a bitch though, be careful where it ends up dudes.

Day 4 - Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour

Drive out of Port Stephens and through historic Raymond Terrace on the Hunter River. It’s one hell of a drive man. Continuing up the coast, you can fish and scuba dive from Seal Rocks and walk the beautiful beaches of Forster. Alternatively, head inland to the World Heritage-listed wilderness of Barrington Tops. Take a bushwalk or white water raft through the rainforest and past extinct volcanic peaks. Visit Taree and the dramatic Ellenborough Falls and ride a camel along Lighthouse Beach in Port Macquarie. A little further north, you can dive, snorkel or deep sea fish from South West Rocks and chill out on the white beaches of Nambucca Heads. At the end of the day, rest up in Coffs Harbour, a scenic town surrounded by forests and national parks.

Day 5 - Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay

Start your day off with a big brekkie on the beach, take a photo with the famous Big Banana, before checking the larger adventure playground of the Coffs Coast. Kayak through Bongil Bongil National Park or simply hop on a gentle, soothing whitewater raft on the Nymboida River, lol. Alternatively, turn south west for the hippy village of Bellingen and explore the waterfalls and Gondwanan rainforest in Dorrigo National Park. Further north, stop for a coffee in the charming, just charming city of Grafton, ride the dolphins in the Clarence River and take a heritage steam train across the mountains in Glenreagh. Head to Nymboida for whitewater rafting, abseiling and rock-climbing and see the largest platypus colony in the region. Platypus!! You gotta see these sexy bastards. Then rejoin the Pacific Highway and head through the bustling riverfront town of Ballina before arriving in Byron Bay for the night.

Day 6 – Byron Bay to Gold Coast

Early bird catches the worm right? Take a sunrise stroll along the Cape Byron Walking Track and see the first rays of light turn the Byron Bay lighthouse pink. It’s so mystical man…woahhh mystical. Watch out for whales making their annual migration movements between May and November, snorkel with humpbacks, sea turtles and dolphins in Cape Byron Marine Park. Indulge in a big breakfast in one of Byron’s many thriving cafes, then swim or kayak with dolphins off Main Beach or hit the popular surf break of The Pass. Get high (in both senses) and hang glide over the lighthouse, horse ride in the Bangalow or join a four wheel drive tour through the rainbow-fractured waterfalls and rainforest of Byron’s hinterland. This beach paradise is also the place to get a tarot card reading, get all zen at a rainforest retreat or browse the work of local artists at the Saturday markets. Once your zen has been restored, jump in the car for a scenic 90-minute drive to the Gold Coast. You can make a detour through the national parks around Murwillumbah and climb Mount Warning, an ancient eroded volcano. Volcanoes’ are cool.

Day 7 - Gold Coast to Brisbane

Spend the day on the beach, just watch out for bodybuilders and barbie girls (remember, plastic is the word), go spend your dollars on some ice cream and soak up the views along the Gold Coast. Ride the world-class waves of Broadbeach, Kirra and Main Beach. Or lie on the golden sand of Surfers Paradise, where afterwards you can trawl the shops, cafes and restaurants of lively Cavill Avenue. Snorkel or dive the wreck of the Scottish Prince off Main Beach or explore the artificial reef just off Narrow Neck. Head inland and you can explore the waterfalls, rock pools and lush sub-tropical rainforest of Tamborine Mountain National Park, Springbrook National Park and Lamington National Park. There’s also a massive theme park not far away called Sea World, it’s sick! Next door you can watch movies being made at Movie World and survive the mother of all tidal waves at Dreamworld. Once all the fun and games are over, do the hour drive to the gorgeous city of Brissy aka Brisvegas aka Brisbane.

Roadtrip Australia

Campervan Trip Ideas

Want to hear all about Sydney? It's Australia's oldest city, the economic powerhouse of the nation and the country's capital in everything but name. It's blessed with sun-drenched natural attractions, dizzy skyscrapers, delicious and daring restaurants, superb shopping and friendly folk. And want to know what to see in Sydney? Although it's come a long way from its convict beginnings, Sydney still has a rough and ready energy, an invigorating blend of the old and the new, the raw and the refined. While high culture attracts some to the Opera House, bohemian history and gaudy nightlife attract others to Kings Cross.

Sydney has so many attractions to explore: Bondi Beach, Taronga Zoo, Darling Harbour Aquarium and much more.Delight yourself with this exciting and very scenic tour which takes in the best features of this fantastic city, the history, the harbour, the gardens, and the beautiful National Parks.

Beginning amongst the historical Rocks area of old Sydney you will learn of the early settlers & convicts of over 200 years ago. We will take you around the city, taking in the history of the Opera House & other famous buildings, drive through magnificent Royal Botanic Gardens and around the harbour foreshore of the Eastern Suburbs and Bondi Beach to see some of the best real estate in the area, owned by the rich and famous.

Head over to the world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, through the leafy Northern Suburbs and into the Kuring-gai Chase National Park. You will enjoy a delicious café styled lunch down at the picturesque Akuna Bay, on the very large Hawkesbury River before heading to some of the outstanding lookouts in the park.

The fantastic views of the Hawkesbury River mouth in Broken Bay, Palm Beach, Pittwater, Woy Woy, & Lion Island, are simply breath taking. Get the opportunity to take a short bushwalk, tracing the history of the Garingai Aboriginal people whom once inhabited this area. You will also get to examine their incredible rock art. Heading out of the park we come back to the city via the Northern Beaches, from Palm Beach to Manly. This offers contrasts between the National Park, city life and the pristine beaches that encompass the Northern side of Sydney.

Camper vans is the best option to hit the Australian road.

From Sydney to Melbourne, Adelaide to Brisbane or anywhere in Australia, campervan provide one of the cheapest all in one accommodation for you. Sleep anywhere, eat anywhere and go anywhere you want in a camper. With camper vans, Australia is like a playground.

Around Australia on Highway 1

Sydney to Melbourne

The best way to take in the beauty of the coastline between Melbourne and Sydney is to drive. See national parks, wildlife, beautiful surf beaches and pristine lakes, and enjoy fine food and wine along the way. The route takes in the popular resort towns of Merimbula, Batemans Bay and Lakes Entrance as well as smaller, quieter communities.

If you have the time to take a leisurely trip around Australia, one way is to take, and follow, Highway 1. When driving from Sydney to Melbourne you can visit most of Australia's southeastern coastal attractions by following Highway 1 which goes all around the continent.

Highway 1, which may come under different names in various regions of Australia, takes you on a circular route, mostly along the coast, through New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. It's the scenic coastal route from Sydney to Melbourne by road.

Spectacular country

From Sydney to Melbourne and on through its circumferential route, Highway 1 passes through much spectacular country and, if you include side trips from the main highway, touches most of Australia's major attractions.

You can take the whole circular route, or take only sections of it as your time allows, or as you wish.

The coastal Sydney to Melbourne route

If you start in Sydney, south-bound Highway 1 is the Princes Highway. From the outskirts of the city the Princes Highway takes you past the Royal National Park and down the New South Wales South Coast.

Just south of Nowra, you may want to take a detour to Jervis Bay, its whitest-of-white beaches, and laid-back seaside communities. Scenic fishing region Drive through the scenic fishing region of the Eurobodalla and Sapphire Coasts, touching base if you wish with Narooma and Bermagui, before continuing on to the Victorian border. Entering Victoria Coming down the eastern rim of Victoria, you then start veering west towards Melbourne.

If you wish, make a detour to Phillip Island for the penguin parade or east-northeast of Melbourne to the Yarra Valley wine region.

Melbourne to Adelaide

Travel west, then southwwest, on Highway 1 from Melbourne to Geelong. Just outside Geelong, you may decide to leave the Princes Highway and instead take the scenic Great Ocean Road from Torquay to Apollo Bay and on to the Twelve Apostles.

Rejoin the Princess Highway just before Warrnambool. Side trip A side trip is to take the route north from the intersection between Warrnambool and Port Fairy and head to Grampians National Park. West into South Australia Back on the Princes Highway, travel west past Lower Glenelg National Park and cross the border to South Australia.

From Mt Gambier just across the Victorian border, head northwest into Adelaide.

Side trips

Interesting side trips on this section of Highway 1 include visits to the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island south of Adelaide.

Adelaide to Perth

From Adelaide, the Princes Highway continues roughly north-northwest to Port Augusta where you then turn in a westerly direction on the Eyre Highway. The Princes and Eyre Highways are part of Highway 1.

Follow the Eyre Highway along the Great Australian Bight coast as it crosses the arid, treeless expanse of the Nullarbor into Western Australia. It turns south at Norseman, then west at Esperance where it becomes the South Coast Highway, still part of Highway 1, heading southwest to Albany. From Albany the South Coast Highway continues west, becoming the South-Western Highway after the town of Walpole, heading all the way northwest to Bunbury.

Side trip

Along the western coast west of the South Western Highway lies the Western Australia wine region of Margaret River, as well regarded for its surf as for its wines. One way to take a side trip into the Margaret River region is to turn west into Brockman Highway from Bridgetown.

From the southern end of the region, you can then drive north along Russell Highway to Bunbury to rejoin Highway 1. North from Bunbury From Bunbury, simply follow the Atlantic coast all the way north to Fremantle and Perth. An alternative route to Perth is through the Kwinana Freeway.

Heritage tour

At Fremantle you may want to stop for some sightseeing. And if you're interested in the local Aboriginal past, there's a Fremantle Aboriginal Heritage Walking Tour you may want to join.

Perth to Darwin

From Perth, Highway 1 — now Brand Highway — heads north just away from the Atlantic coast towards Geraldton. It hugs the coast between the town of Dongara and Geraldton. From Geraldton, it becomes the North-West Coastal Highway as it heads to Carnarvon.

Side trips

Between Gerladton and Carnarvon you may want to take a detour to Monkey Mia and have a close encoutner with the friendly dolphins. Just after Carnarvon, there's a turnoff at Minilya to Coral Bay and Exmouth, your jump-off points to Ningaloo Reef where you can swim with the world's largest fish, the whale shark.

Through the Kimberley You'd need to return south to rejoin the North-West Coastal Highway heading northeast to Port Hedland — and on the Great Northern Highway — to Broome, gateway to the Kimberley.

From Broome, the Great Northern Highway traverses the Kimberley past Purnululu National Park to Kununurra close to the Northern Territory border. The highway, now the Victoria Highway, heads east and northeast across the Northern Territory border towards Katherine where Highway 1 branches north and south — north on the Stuart Highway to Darwin and south on the same highway through Mataranka before it turns east again at Daly Waters into Carpentaria Highway.

Side trips

On the way north to Darwin, you may want to visit Katherine Gorge and, farther north, Kakadu National Park before taking a well-deserved rest at Australia's Top End.

Darwin to Brisbane

In Darwin, you may want to be sure you visit Kakadu National Park and, if you have the time and the inclination, the Aboriginal homeland that is Arnhem Land. On your way south from Darwin, take a detour through Katherine Gorge if you haven't yet done so.

Stuart Highway

Highway 1, now the Stuart Highway, runs south past Katherine and Mataranka before it turns east at Daly Waters into Carpentaria Highway.

Carpentaria Highway

Highway 1 (Carpentaria Highway) continues on to the town of Borroloola in northern Queensland. There's a turnoff just before Borroloola into an unsealed road which is the continuation of Highway 1 through Burketown and into the town of Normanton, where you join the sealed highway again.

Savannah Way

To bypass the unsealed road section, take Tablelands Highway south at Cape Crawford on the Carpentaria Highway. A route from Broome to Cairns is the Savannah Way, which was launched in June 2004.

The Savannah Way does not follow Highway 1 all the way through northern Queensland and offers alternative routes to bypass unsealed roads.

Bruce Highway

Southwards from Cairns, Highway 1 becomes the Bruce Highway and it's all the way down through Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane.

Brisbane to Sydney

Highway 1 is not only the most direct route from Brisbane to Sydney (and vice versa) but it is as well one of the most scenic drives in the country alternating between hill and valley and shore. From Brisbane, Highway 1 is the Bruce Highway until the New South Wales border.

The Gold Coast

It is only an hour's drive from Brisbane to the Gold Coast with its surfing beaches, apartment towers, casino, theme parks and all manner of other attractions for the visiting holiday-maker. You may want to branch off from Bruce Highway into the coastal Gold Coast Highway passing through several Gold Coast towns before rejoining Highway 1.

Pacific Highway

South of Coolangatta, Highway 1 becomes the Pacific Highway as it snakes south through the Tweed Valley and the resort areas of Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Port Stephens along the New South Wales coast.

Side trips

Between Murwillumbah in the Tweed Valley and Ballina, you may want to take a side trip to Byron Bay, whose Cape Byron is the easternmost part of the Australian continent. Further south, and just north of Newcastle, you can branch off Highway 1 into Nelson Bay and Port Stephens' other towns.

South from Newcastle

After Newcastle, join the Newcastle Freeway for whizz-through travel all the way to Sydney's northern suburbs. Or remain on the old Pacific Highway for a more leisurely drive through country and coastal towns, with a detour, if desired, through the Central Coast resort towns of The Entrance and Terrigal.

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