Take on the Brisbane to Sydney Adventure Trip
There’s an ongoing interstate rivalry between Queensland and New South Wales, but it’s a good thing for travellers since you get to experience the best of both worlds if you decide to take a trip of a lifetime between the awesome cities of Brisbane and Sydney.
Make sure to look for a car hire in Brisbane airport online before flying to ensure a smooth renting transaction and get on with your adventure instantly. Nothing cries freedom more than a road trip with your family, friend, loved ones – or heck, just yourself. Here is a quick “must-visits” list as you travel down the coast.
Story Bridge Climb. There’s no better way to leave Brisbane than being on top of the city’s most iconic structure, the Story Bridge. From up here, you can see all the way from the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast with ease. Don’t forget that awesome Sydney shopping mind, however; up here, it’s all about the wind making a mess your hair, and you posturing for photographs looking like a Teletubby in your grey-and-blue jumpsuit. With a car, you have an option to abseil down the Story Bridge too!
Byron Bay Lighthouse. You won’t have a complete East Coast road trip without stopping at Byron Bay. Park your car and take in the atmosphere. Enjoy the feeling of stretching your legs on the short climb up to the picturesque lighthouse, which is also Australia’s most easterly point. There’s an abundance of spontaneous road trip stops in Byron Bay, and not just overnight. On these shores, the weight will be completely taken off your shoulders. Heck, some people just never leave!
Port Macquarie. Just over half way through your trip, Port Macquarie is one of the most common sleep-over stops between Brisbane and Sydney. It’s also the best place to make the most of the Pacific Highway’s namesake – the Pacific Ocean. For six months of the year, that’s mid-May to mid-November is the prime whale watching season, a chance to see these regal creatures moving along their yearly migration. Absolutely an experience best experienced from aboard a vessel with a local and qualified crew.
Terrigal, Central Coast. You don’t want to arrive in the wonderful Sydney looking tired and untidy from your drive, so it’s vital to add in one last stop – and the Central Coast, around two hours north of the big smoke, has ample to choose from.
Asking a local for their preferred beach nook concealed somewhere on the Central Coast and they will certainly have a response for you – and they will almost surely be lying! No self-respecting New South Welshman will simply give away their favourite holiday spot, lest they find it swarming with Queenslanders during the next holiday breaks.
In any case, there’s plenty of awesome spots, but Terrigal will surely please even the pickiest traveller. It’s a fantastic combination of open beach and rock pools. You can head headland for the cute boutiques and trendy cafes, which makes for a perfect spot to refresh towards the end of your long drive.
That’s it then, mate! Remember to look for a car hire in Brisbane airport beforehand to avoid queues or worse – no vacant cars. Booking in advance will let you instantly get on with your long, fun, and exciting adventure of a lifetime.
*This is a collaborative post, please see my disclosure page for more information.







OMG I want to go to Brisbane someday and visit these beautiful places. How secured is Brisbane?
Would love to do that! I have been to so many places but not yet to that part of the world. It’s high up on my bucket list and I’d love to do a road trip and also go surfing there 🙂
I hope I can visit these beautiful places. I have heard so much about Australia and your list of places to visit sounds great. Wish I can get one of those jobs on a travel network where you get to globetrot for free?
This is a very good list. I haven’t been to Brisbane, but I have been to Darwin. I hope to visit Australia again.
Oh goodness!! Austrailia is on my bucket list! This is one of the places that I want to visit.
Would love to visit Australia! What a fun adventure!!
<3 Al + Lex
Haven’t been to either but I know my friend just moved there and I would love to go visit. I heard that a lot of places over there are just more so an expensive beach! Need to see for myself.
I would love to go! Someday…
thank you for the tips, super useful to anyone traveling here. Love to have first hand experience!
I have to add this to my list of potential bucket list items. This was actually very informative for a person that loves to plan activities for trips. This may be a good couples trip!
Such a beautiful and diverse country. I was planning a trip to Australia this spring, but I had to cancel. I hope to fly into Sydney and travel the coast ending up at the Great Barrier Reef one day soon.
I’d love to visit Australia. Thanks so much for sharing this great trip advice!
Wow if only….trips are so fun and so expensive these days : ( I cant imagine how beautiful this one would be.
Would love to visit Australia so much! Your selection is so interesting, I’m so curious about this places!
I’ve never been to Australia but I can imagine how beautiful it is there and a road trip is perfect to see that beauty! Thanks for sharing your trip with us, I’m definitely taking notes!