Sydney to Gold Coast: A Complete Road Trip Guide (14 days)
G’day mate! I finally checked my bucket list to have a two-week holiday, and what better way to spend it than on a road trip from Sydney to Gold Coast?
Refer to the route guide here. You may have concerns on how to plan your ideal road trip. I’d say choose what feels best for you.
Why did I choose to drive from Sydney to Gold Coast instead of going on the Great Ocean Road Drive?
TLDR: Weather, Activities, Flights
First, we considered the weather because end June/July was expected to be a very windy winter in Australia. We preferred slightly warmer temperatures.
Second, we had wanted to experience a farm stay, dive into thrilling activities like roller coasters, skydiving, and surfing, all while soaking in the views.
Third, direct flights were more affordable in Sydney and Gold Coast when compared to cities like Melbourne and Brisbane at that point of time. Our trip eventually took place from end June to 1 July 2023.
Here were some observations on road tripping in Aussie:
On the Road
The maps suggested a travel time of around eight and a half hours, but in reality, it was longer due to heavy traffic with cars and large trucks all day.
They also love their roundabouts, which can be extremely confusing because it could have like six exits. And you could also drive past two roundabouts in less than a 100 metres.
Car Woes
Sydney and Gold Coast carparks, especially the lanes, are poorly designed, and with the tightest parking lots I had encountered. Also, parking was very expensive in Sydney.
Similar to New Zealand, supermarket receipts often include petrol coupons for certain stations – keep them for savings!
It is also safe to book your car rental Australia two weeks before your trip and no earlier. They will usually have promotions nearer to your trip dates (that was what happened to me) and somehow the base rate was cheaper. Alternatively book your car, and then write in to them to update the booking with the updated price.
Weather & Attractions
Weather was air-con temperature in the day, but it gets much colder and windier after sunset. For popular spots that needed tickets like Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Dreamworld and Warner Bros Movie World, buying it from Klook beforehand was better. We avoided the long queues, and all we needed was to scan the QR code.
Personally thought it would have been better with lesser stops so we could have spent more days in that area to soak in the atmosphere and make the most of the available activities. We did not have time to go for any surf lessons in this country known for its waves, which I thought was unfortunate.
Here are 11 cool stops from Sydney to Gold Coast:
Sydney
Nelson Bay
Broke
Tuncurry
Port Macquarie
Crescent Head
Coffs Harbour
Byron Bay
Coolangatta & Tweed Heads
Currumbin
Gold Coast
Note: While some travel guides recommend exploring smaller towns, first-time travelers may find it easier to stick to larger, tourist-friendly towns for better access to Muslim-friendly food. Otherwise, be prepared to drive to another town or cook your own meals.
The itinerary below starts in Sydney, driving up north along the coast of the South Pacific Ocean, all the way to Gold Coast.
Yellowmumdee Regional Park & The Three Sisters Lookout
Lemak Manis Cafe (Halal)
El Sweetie Granville (Halal)
Day 3
Hyper Karting & VR
Bondi Markets (Halal & Muslim-friendly options)
Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach & Bondi Icebergs Pool
Hornby Lighthouse
Shalom Indonesian Restaurant (Halal)
Luna Park Sydney
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Nelson Bay
Day 4
Majestic Ocean Adventure at d’Albora Marina
We signed up for a Whale Watching Sailing Cruise at Nelson Bay, and it it turned out to be an unforgettable experience ever.
The highlight? A Humpback whale leaped out of the water right in front of us in full glory. I still could not get over it—majestic did not even begin to describe it. The captain guided us to spot many other whales throughout the cruise as the whales splash and play in the ocean.
Around 40,000 whales migrate past Sydney each year 🐋 From May to November each year, visitors to Warrane (@Sydney) are treated to scenes of migrating humpback whales cruising incredibly close to the coastline. Board a boat with @Ocean Extreme to see the magnificent creatures in action. If you’re lucky, you may even spot them breaching the surface to check out the iconic harbour and city skyline like this ☝️ 🎥 : IG/oceanextreme 📍: Warrane (Sydney), @New South Wales #SeeAustralia#ComeAndSayGday#FeelNSW#FeelNewSydney ID: A whale breaching the surface of the ocean with a city skyline in the distance.
Schools of dolphins also swam right beside our boat, and we also spotted seals lounging on the rocks nearby. Because we went into such deep waters, the boat was very rocky, and that was when we knew why the tables and chairs on the boat were tightly secured. Luckily, they provided waterproof jackets, motion sickness pills, and warm blankets to help shield us from the cold wind and splashing water.
It was freezing, but the crew provided us with hot tea and coffee to keep us cozy while pointing out the animals at sea. Superb service!
Our cruise was a recommendation by a tourist information counter, which we then booked directly online with Adrenaline. For $240 total (for 3 pax), we got a 3-hour adventure that gave us front-row seats to nature’s wonders. This is only available from mid May to early November annually, during the Humpback Whale migration along Australia’s east coast.
Before or after the cruise, the area around the pier has some lovely souvenir shops and restaurants, so you can grab a bite or shop.
Address: 6 Teramby Rd, Nelson Bay NSW 2315, Australia
John Dory Seafoods (Muslim-friendly)
After spending time at sea, it was time for some seafood! We headed to the main town area where bars, restaurants, supermarket, thrift stores, and all other shops can be found.
We had a huge takeaway packet of fish and chips which was wrapped in paper and drinks, that costed about S$34. It was nice that it was served with free pieces of lemon and tartar sauce. There is no alcohol used in the batter, and no pork products too.
Eating it fresh and hot was superb. There was seating available by the street, as long as you are comfortable with the huge and nosy birds hanging around for leftovers.
Address: 136 Magnus St, Nelson Bay NSW 2315, Australia
Broke
Day 5 – 6
Broke is a charming village in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia. Known for its boutique wineries and tranquil atmosphere, it offers a quieter alternative to the more commercial parts of Hunter Valley. It also features farm animals that seem to be always cute and hungry!
[Accommodation] Starline Alpacas Farmstay Resort
If anyone is up for a relaxing countryside experience, this working alpaca farm offers self-contained cottages surrounded by views of the Brokenback Ranges and Yengo-Wollemi National Park.
We stayed in a 2-bedroom cottage, with comfy beds, and a huge modern bathroom. We parked our car beside the house, and dragged our luggage up the ramp at the entrance. Hang out at the comfy sofas and rent movies to watch in the living room. It was about 7 degrees at night.
From the living room, access the back patio which allowed for quick meetups with the alpacas, and have fun feeding them throughout the day. The alpacas can smell the feed so easily, so every time we slide the doors open, they notice us and the greedy ones come over for a snack, and linger around. It was fun spotting the alpacas just sleeping with their heads resting in between the fence too!
There is also a bbq pit, and an outdoor table and chairs so you could just sit and stare out the beautiful sky and farm and heal your mind with a cup of hot tea. The sky was beautiful, and so many stars could be seen with the naked eye.
We could do a couple of things on the farm. Each guest gets a free bag of alpaca feed, and we took leisurely strolls to visit the animals! There were also rabbits, chickens, huge pigs, donkeys, horses and ponies, goats, and cows and the farmers. There is a section which was nearest to our cottage that you can enter the pen and directly meet the alpacas with no barriers.
Other than that, we also played tennis, badminton and soccer at the tennis court and explored the playground and swimming pool. We felt so free from worries there, especially when there was no crowd at all. Visitors could also pop by to just feed the alpacas for a fee without staying.
The staff were nice, and willingly shared some laundry powder even though it was late at night! Also be prepared to prepare your own meals, as the drive to the nearest town was about 15 minutes.
The only thing was that the wifi and data reception was really bad here, but it was good to be free from it and appreciate the present.
Address: 1100 Milbrodale Road, Broke NSW2330, Australia
Singleton
Singleton is another small town, which we visited to buy some groceries and kebabs. The Singleton Square has a good variety of shops and services including Coles, Woolworths and BigW, with a large undercover parking. The street nearby also has little boutique stores to explore and other shops.
We tried Singleton Kebabs (Kebabs & Gozleme) since we saw there were some reviews saying it was halal (but unverified).
Address: 1 Gowrie St, Singleton NSW 2330, Australia
Tuncurry
Day 7
John Wright Park & Wallis Lake
John Wright Park was a great mid-break point on the road trip, with an easy parking area, and view of the popular Wallis Lake. The public park is situated on the shores of Wallis Lake, adjacent to the Forster-Tuncurry bridge. The park is equipped with amenities including picnic shelters, benches, a playground, public toilets, and drinking water.
The Wallis lake actually felt like the sea because it was huge and we could not even see the end of it from the park. The lake looked so clean and clear, that was pretty cool. And we even had the chance to see a huge boat docking, because the lake is perfect for boating, fishing, swimming, and snorkelling.
Address: 12-14 Manning Street, Tuncurry, NSW 2428
The deck @ tuncurry
The deck was opened in the morning, so we had our breakfast there. The toasted bread was served with good butter, and we also tried a lemon tart. Eat at your own discretion.
Address: 2 Ray St, Tuncurry NSW 2312, Australia
Wallis Lake Fishermen’s Co-operative
This local store sells take-away fresh seafood. A pity that we arrived too early, so our stomachs were not ready for such a delicacy. Wallis Lake is renowned for its Sydney Rock Oysters, so be sure to try them out! You can also purchase feed for fishing here too.
Address: 5 Ray St, Tuncurry NSW 2428, Australia
Port Macquarie
Tacking Point Lighthouse
This was probably my second favourite lighthouse on this trip. We had to drive up the steep roads since it was located on a rocky headland, and parking was limited, but it was definitely worth it.
Lighting the way since 1879 🌊💡 Perched magnificently atop the cliffs overlooking Lighthouse Beach, Tacking Point Lighthouse is the perfect spot for watching the sun go up, down and everything in between. #iloveportmacquarie#seeaustralia#newsouthwales#midnorthcoast 🎥: shaun_w_porter
The panoramic view of the coastline truly felt like an out of this world experience. Visitors can feel the strong breeze, take in the beautiful vast sea view with waves crashing on the cliff, and also spot whales in the distance. There is a viewing deck too, and visitors can walk towards the sandy beach that stretches along the coastline, surrounded by luxurious ocean-view mansions.
The area was restored in 2017 by their community and the council, and the lighthouse was painted a clean coat of white and navy blue.
Lighthouse Beach: Port Macquarie’s coastal star! 🌊✨ Stunning views from Tacking Point Lighthouse over the 9km beach and a whales and dolphins watching spot 🐬💦 The beach is great for swimming, surfing and even fishing 🏊♀️🏄♂️🎣 Must-visit spot in Port Macquarie. Don’t miss out! ✨📍 #lighthousebeach#portmacquarie#travelnsw#whalewatching
The Crescent Head Lookout is of course, up another hill, but it offers panoramic coastal views on the left and right. From this vantage point, you can see the beaches to the north and south, the town of Crescent Head, and the iconic Little Nobby and Big Nobby headlands.
As soon as you arrive at the parking area, walk past the water tank and follow the green tracks. We spotted a few other families exploring the lookout, and also a teenager with a bicycle up the hill.
Do note that the area is not the most well-maintained, with some overgrown bushes, no guard rails and huge drop offs. The path is a relatively flat but rocky path, so may not be the most accessible.
Address: Crescent Head NSW 2440, Australia
FoodWorks
This was a relatively small town, so we only spotted some bars and restaurants. Hence, we stopped by the supermarket to prep our meals. It is a small mart, but was quite surprised to find some halal-certified products and Indomie.
Bought the usual staples like eggs, fried fish, fruits, accompanied with some tea. They have discarded boxes that you can use to pack your groceries.
Address: 6/8 Rankine St, Crescent Head NSW 2440, Australia
Crescent Head Beach
Named as a National Surfing Reserve, this is the best place to catch strong waves, evidently from the people surfing non-stop till sunset. Crescent Head is known for its laid-back surf culture, beautiful beaches, and scenic coastal views, so this was the best place to people-watch too. The bench we sat on was surfboard-shaped!
There were people skating, walking their dogs, having picnics, fishing, racing with their bicycles, swimming and more. Walk towards the Crescent Head Boat Ramp and Killick Creek Inlet Bridge for more fun views. The sea water was so clear that you could actually spot small fishes swimming around, which was fascinating. Walk a little further to Killick Beach, a long, undeveloped sand beach with a well-known point break.
Address: 367 Crescent Head Rd, Crescent Head NSW 2440, Australia
[Accommodation] Mainski Inn Crescent Head
This was a much smaller town, so we booked via airbnb.
Address: 5 Baker Dr, Crescent Head
Coffs Harbour
Day 8
Mini Pancakes At The jetty
Park at the Marina Drive Car Park and you will spot a this huge food truck that is opened early morning.
This was hands down the best breakfast ever (and with a view!). They sold delicious and fluffy baby dutch pancakes, that were topped with fresh cream and fruits and sauces of your choice. The owners were also balls of sunshine, who were super friendly and sweet. With a side of hot chocolate, it was a great start to the day as we ate by the benches along the beach.
Address: Harbour Dr, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450, Australia
North Wall Beach
The pancake place was near the breakwater of North Wall Beach, a popular off-leash beach where dogs can roam freely and enjoy the sand and surf. So, we spotted quite a bit of joggers with their dogs. There was also a dog wash area too.
Address: 34 Coff St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450, Australia
Coffs Harbour Jetty
This was my favourite pier to explore. It was a 10 minute walk from the Coffs Jetty Foreshore, which is a beach pavilion, where people, especially the elderly hang out. You can head straight to Jetty Beach from the pavilion, and then take a break with cafes and ice cream here, with buskers all around.
The pier was accessible through a boardwalk at Jetty Beach, and it was quite well-maintained. There were many boats docked, and the water was sparkling in the morning sun. It was lovely.
Address: Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450, Australia
Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
Formerly known as Dolphin Marine Conservation Park, the sanctuary is known for rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing marine wildlife since 1970. Paid entry is through the souvenir store, and you can pay for up close animal encounters and mini animal encounters with dolphins or seals. Thought it was expensive, but for the noble work that they do, definitely worth it. It seemed like a place where kids would love.
Address: 65 Orlando St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450, Australia
The Big Banana Fun Park
This place caught our eye for its eccentric-theme first, followed by the toboggan ride (my first one!). The toboggan was so fun and you definitely have to go on it a few times to fully enjoy the experience. You can control the speed individually, with long downward slopes and turns.
We literally went bananas because they literally had banana bunches displayed at the main building for sale.
Their cafe & restaurant sold so many banana food on the menu, and we accidentally bought too much desserts as the serving size was huge. We got a banana split, banana bread toast, and fried fritters (which I did not realise was going to be a banana) with lots of whipped cream. Everything was high sugar level sweet. The iconic banana sculpture seen from the roads even had a selfie stand for visitors to easily take pictures independently.
Basically, this park is an amusement park up a slope, where you can enjoy activities like a water park, giant slide, mini golf, laser tag, ice skating, and more. I’ve seen better and more thrilling amusement parks, but the variety here was pretty good.
Address: 351 Pacific Hwy, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450, Australia
Byron Bay
[Accommodation] Discovery Parks – Byron Bay
I am a fan of Discovery Parks ever since my other Australia trip in Tasmania, and the one at Byron Bay was pretty good too. The room was huge, well-equipped, and comfortable. We picked the lake view, which came with a patio, and wide glass walls in the living room. The kitchen was sparkling clean with a stove and microwave and free parking outside the room. There is air-con and fans in the rooms.
The only thing was the shared laundry room which was always packed.
It was a short drive into Byron Bay town, which was also lovely place to explore. A lot more things to do here compared to other smaller towns. It is no wonder the place is popular with tourists.
Address: 339 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
Cape Byron Lighthouse
Just like how the lighthouse draws ships safely to land, it also draws people’s attention for its breathtaking views. This was my favourite lighthouse, with a well-maintained landmark, and a beautiful ocean view. Take your time on the walk up, the path is easy and there were plenty of spots to pause and take in the humbling scenery. It is also another spot for whale-watching!
At this easternmost point of Australia, watch the waves crash against the shore.
There is also an accompanying mini museum here. Think there is a walking track to reach the lighthouse as well.
Parking was challenging though, and the roads were mostly one-way. We managed to get a slot halfway with cheaper rates, then walked up.
Address: Cape Byron Walking Track, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
Zaza Kebabs (Halal)
Got stuffed with meat with Zaza Kebabs in town. The kebab was AU$18, and the kebab plate was AU$25, but the serving was big and was sufficient for three pax. They had doner, chicken, lamb, mixed meat, falafel, and fish and also offer burgers, snack packs, fish & chips.
Address: 8/4 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
Day 9
Mercato on Byron
We parallel parked along Jonson Street to visit Woolies and Priceline at Mercato on Byron. Interestingly, the items here were cheaper than in the other towns we visited. There were also other retail stores, dining options and a cinema here.
Address: 108-114 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
Jonson Street
Jonson Street, located in the heart of Byron Bay, is a fun shopping street to explore. There were lots of boutique shops, local brands, and cafes. This includes a huge Chemist Outlet with great prices, another supermarket ALDI, and our personal favourite local store Silent Theory, a local brand that does comfortable casual fits well (we bought quite a number of items there!).
Address: 40 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
Coolangatta & Tweed Heads
Tweed Heads and Coolangatta are twin towns located on the border between New South Wales and Queensland. Tweed Heads is in New South Wales, while Coolangatta is in Queensland/Gold Coast City.
[Accommodation] Cook’s Endeavour Motor Inn
An average motel stay with free parking. The room was clean, but the bed was stiff, and the room was not soundproof.
Address: 26 Frances Street, Tweed Heads NSW 2485, Australia
Tweed Mall Shopping Centre
Tweed Mall has all the important shops – Target, Woolsworth, Coles, Aldi and Chemist. There were also a butcher, fresh market, mobile accessories, and a variety of other shops. It closes at 6pm like most malls in Australia.
Address: Wharf St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485, Australia
This restaurant with dine-in and takeaway options, had freshly served fish and chips, other gluten-free items, and soft serve ice cream. They had breaded prawns which tasted pretty good too. It is located near a park and Tweed River. They had an Alfa Romeo car decorated as a Selfish Fish N Chips parked right beside the shop.
Just beware of the huge birds at the park roaming around.
Address: 4 Wharf St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485, Australia
McMahon’s Beach
If you don’t want to travel too far out of the city center but still enjoy some nature, McMahon’s beach is the place. It is a tranquil and picturesque spot ideal for relaxation, picnics, and enjoying the outdoors. There were people fishing, and dogs swimming in the water, and kayaks. We enjoyed the view with plenty of seats, benches, and a boardwalk.
Address: 4 Wharf St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485, Australia
Point Danger
Driving to Point Danger is not for the faint-hearted, because you had to keep driving up really steep roads while trying to find an empty parking lot, but it does come with dangerously beautiful views. It was difficult to find parking during sunset, but we were lucky to find one at the top of the hill.
I suppose the main reason it was named Point Danger was for its treacherous waters, and the headland served as a key navigation marker for ships navigating the coastline. We spotted memorial plaques that honored those who lost their lives at sea during past naval wars and marine disasters.
This place is literally on the border between Queensland and New South Wales and it was enchanting – for anyone who appreciates the raw beauty of Australia’s coastline. The area is set up with a park, BBQ facilities, and tables, so many were there for a relaxing day. Just note that it can get windy and cold in the evening.
Walk down towards Froggy Beach, a small cove below Point Danger, and spot the green frog!
Address: Tweed Terrace, Coolangatta QLD 4225, Australia
Snapper Rocks
So MANY beautifully humbling things to see here at Snapper Rocks:
Naturally unique rock pool
STUNNING sunsets (with the moon in the same frame)
Cotton candy skies
High-quality waves
Start of the “Superbank” surf break
Rainbow Bay Beach
There were no benches, but you can sit on the Rockwall. As it is a kind of cove, there was also plenty of shade from the hill.
Address: Snapper Rocks Rd, Coolangatta QLD 4225, Australia
Currumbin
Day 10
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Absolutely loved this sanctuary! We bought tickets in advanced via Klook which was about $48 per person. It was a seamless experience with just a QR code and you could just skip past the ticketing queue. Parking was easy, located opposite the sanctuary, and had many lots to cater for the large crowd.
I definitely recommend going to see the kangaroos first! There was no crowd yet, so you get the full attention of the many MANY kangaroos there of all sizes. There was a huge alpha-looking kangaroo who was hungry and made sure he got his fill among all the other smaller sized ones, which made for a very interesting sight.
They were also smart enough to wait right in front of the feed dispenser, and they were comfortable enough to poop around you. There were staff present to guide us how to feed them in a safe manner, which is basically bending down to be at a lower height than them.
The whole sanctuary was really so fun because the animals were given free reign to roam around and they were not even scared to be amongst the human crowd, especially the pelicans! Spotted Tasmanian Devils, lemurs, emu, eels, and even a majestic eagle up close. There were koalas, red pandas, and huge capybaras too.
This was by far the best presentation that I had seen – the WildSkies Free Flight Bird Show.
There is a train that takes you around the sanctuary with commentary through secluded areas. The sanctuary is mostly wheelchair-friendly, except for some places that had stairs and areas which was the animal’s habitat area.
We had a quick meal with pizza, fries, some fruits and donuts.
If you are coming from Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, take a 10 minutes walk to the Currumbin Beach and visit the free lookout point called Elephant Rock. The stairs up is a bit steep, and mostly one-way traffic with uneven steps, but wow the views at the top was wide and beautiful.
Steep steps, small space, but a spectacular view at Elephant Rock lookout! Be it left, right, centre – the sea view was chef’s kiss. Just 10 minutes from Currumbin Wildlife Sancturay, it is a pretty cool pit stop to make! 🌊 #travel#australia#goldcoastaustralia#creatorsearchinsights
You can spot Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta. The space above is not the biggest, so do make way for new visitors.
Address: Currumbin QLD 4223, Australia
Gold Coast
I made a separate post to the 5 days in Gold Coast here.
Day 11 – 14
Things to do
Food
Beach Day @ Surfers Paradise
2Bros Parkwood (Halal)
Carrara Markets
Bali on Paradise (Halal)
Dreamworld
Cocohut Taste of Thailand (Halal)
Harbour Town Premium Outlets
KINGS Steak & Seafood (Formerly Seven Brothers Family Restaurant)(Halal)
Paradise Centre
Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
Warner Bros. Movie World
Woolworths Surfers Paradise (Circle On Cavill)
Overall, we had a good time as each stop had something to offer, especially the views and hospitality. But definitely preferred the bigger towns which were easier to find halal eateries.
Hope this helps to enlighten you on a road trip in Australia (and not just the Great Ocean Drive in Melbourne or in Tasmania!)
Uminsummer 
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