Gold Coast To Sydney Road Trip: Top 18 Tips

Gold Coast to Sydney road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the Australia. The 837 km of Gold Coast to Sydney drive takes around 8 hours and 51 mins without stops.

This article includes 18 tips that turn your Gold Coast to Sydney drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney, take your coffee and keep reading!

6 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Gold Coast To Sydney

On the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip, you may want to stay at some points. Here are the top six hotels on the Gold Coast – Sydney route!

1. RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast

RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip. Driving from Gold Coast to RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast might take around 9 mins. The staff at this hotel are courteous and professional. The rooms are comfortable, and the dining experiences are all delicious. The wait staff is excellent, and there are plenty of things to do at this hotel, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a relaxing and enjoyable stay. Check the RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast, one of the best hotels in Gold Coast, Queensland, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.

2. Cape Byron Retreat

Cape Byron Retreat is another top hotel where you can choose to stay on the road trip to Sydney from Gold Coast. Located in Byron Bay, New South Wales, the hotel is 96.1 km away from Gold Coast, and it would take 1 hour and 17 mins to drive. The hotel is just a 10-minute drive from the city center, where you can find all the supplies you need or enjoy a meal out if that is your preference. The views of the hinterland offer a tranquil and picturesque setting. If you want to learn more about the Cape Byron Retreat, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.

3. Royal Palms Motor Inn

Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Royal Palms Motor Inn. Royal Palms Motor Inn is located in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, and it’s 310 km away from Gold Coast. You can arrive there in 3 hours and 16 mins of non-stop driving. The guest rooms at this hotel offer a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator. The beds are comfortable, and the rooms are nicely sized, with everything guests might need, including a microwave, toaster, and kettle. The staff is helpful. Prices are reasonable. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Royal Palms Motor Inn for more information.

4. City Centre Motel

If you are taking the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney, Kempsey, New South Wales, it is must have a place you should visit. Plus, City Centre Motel is one of the best hotels in town. It is City Centre Motel, 1,663 km from Gold Coast, and it would take 17 hours and 4 mins to drive. The motel room was clean, with comfortable beds and well-maintained facilities. The staff at reception were courteous and professional during the check-in and check-out processes. Guest rooms offer a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and a refrigerator. Additionally, guests can access the internet with the free wifi offered by the motel. If you need more info about the price and availability of the City Centre Motel, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.

5. Forster Motor Inn

Our next hotel is Forster Motor Inn, Forster, New South Wales. It will take 5 hours, and 57 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Gold Coast. The motel is an excellent value, with comfortable beds, clean and spacious rooms, and a fantastic staff. It allows guests to bring pet dogs and is within walking distance from shops and restaurants. Check the Forster Motor Inn on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Forster Motor Inn for reviews, prices, and availability.

6. Little National Hotel Sydney

Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney is Little National Hotel Sydney. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel, located in Sydney, New South Wales, within 8 hours and 50 mins drive from Gold Coast. The hotel is conveniently located near many attractions, and the rooms are comfortable and well-equipped. The bed is comfortable, the lighting is good, and the bathroom is well-designed. The rooftop bar is excellent, with a beautiful view of the city. I appreciate being able to order meals via menu log or deliveroo. The staff are helpful and accommodating. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

In this part, we explained six hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by commenting on this post. It will help people who will take the same Gold Coast to Sydney route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Gold Coast to Sydney. We have six restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

6 Best Restaurants On The Gold Coast To Sydney Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Gold Coast to Sydney road trip. This section lists the six restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast

We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip with Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast. Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast, is located in Gold Coast, Queensland, 10.3 km from Gold Coast. It would take 19 mins of driving. The restaurant’s food was fantastic. We had a delightful evening. The atmosphere was great. The sushi was delicious and some of our best in town. We recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great meal and a good time. For more information about Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast.

2. The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co

Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Sydney from Gold Coast is The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. Located in Byron Bay, New South Wales, The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co is 92.1 km from Gold Coast and would take 1 hour and 12 mins of driving. The service was efficient, and the food was served promptly. The oysters, steak, pork, and pasta were all cooked perfectly. The restaurant has a beautiful setting and pleasant ambiance. If you want to learn more about The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

3. Urban Espresso Lounge

Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Urban Espresso Lounge. It will take 3 hours and 20 mins of car drive to take 312 km from Gold Coast to Urban Espresso Lounge, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The coffee was excellent. The meal was enjoyable, with the Corn Fritter stack and pancakes both delicious and well-presented. The waitress was attentive and polite, ensuring our coffee cups were never empty. Overall, a great experience. You can check Urban Espresso Lounge on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.

4. The Garden Bar & Kitchen

The Garden Bar & Kitchen deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Kempsey, New South Wales. The establishment offers a good variety of wines ordered by glass or bottle. Our table on the covered deck had a picturesque view of the Macleay River and farmland beyond – it was a very tranquil setting for lunch. The service was friendly and prompt, and the food was attractively presented and tasted great. The Garden Bar & Kitchen is 411 km away from Gold Coast and would take 4 hours and 22 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about The Garden Bar & Kitchen, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

5. Spice Monkey Forster

If you enjoy dining, Spice Monkey Forster would be an excellent choice in Forster, New South Wales. It’s 561 km from Gold Coast and would take 5 hours and 56 mins of car driving. The Kingfish sashimi, duck curry, and barramundi at the Forster restaurant were all excellent. The portions were generous, and the service was excellent. The staff was friendly and polite, making for a perfect dining experience. If you want to learn more about the Spice Monkey Forster, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

6. Harvest Buffet Sydney

Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney is Harvest Buffet Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales. It will take 8 hours and 54 mins of driving to reach Harvest Buffet Sydney from Gold Coast. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a good meal. The environment was clean and inviting, and the staff was always welcoming and helpful. The chicken curry and duck dishes were both delicious and reasonably priced. For more information about Harvest Buffet Sydney, you can check the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for your road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 837 km journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Sydney road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Gold Coast to Sydney. Keep reading.

6 Places To Visit On The Gold Coast To Sydney Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Sydney. However, on your road trip, there are also some unique destinations, like Gold Coast, Queensland. We want to explain the recommended top six destinations on the Sydney route.

1. Sea World, Gold Coast

Sea World, Gold Coast will be the first destination we recommend you stop by on your Gold Coast to Sydney road trip. Located in Gold Coast, Queensland, Sea World, Gold Coast is 9.4 km away from Gold Coast, and it would take 17 mins to drive. Sea World, Gold Coast, is an excellent place for a fun day out. There are plenty of rides and attractions, and the shows are worth checking out. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the food is reasonably priced. We had a fantastic day and would recommend it to anyone. If you want to learn more about the Sea World Gold Coast, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.

2. Cape Byron Lighthouse

Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay, New South Wales, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop on the Gold Coast to Sydney route. It’s 95.5 km from Gold Coast, and it’ll take about 1 hour and 20 mins of driving. The Cape Byron Lighthouse is located on Australia’s most easterly point and offers a shining light over Byron Bay. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant walk from the car park up to the lighthouse, and there are a few small trails down the other side with good views of the coastline and lighthouse. If you want to learn more about Cape Byron Lighthouse, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.

3. Dolphin Marine Conservation Park

One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney is Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. And if you visit Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, we suggest you visit Dolphin Marine, Conservation Park. You can arrive at Dolphin Marine Conservation Park after 3 hours and 18 mins of driving. The Dolphine Marine Conservation Park is a fantastic experience. The staff is incredibly welcoming, and you can spend some time up close with the dolphins, sea lions, and penguins. It is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Dolphin Marine Conservation Park for more information.

4. The Slim Dusty Centre

Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit The Slim Dusty Centre, Kempsey, New South Wales, on the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip. The Slim Dusty Centre is 425 km from Gold Coast, and you can arrive there after the 4 hours and 30 mins drive. The Slim Dusty Centre, located in Kempsey, is a multi-purpose facility that offers Visitor Information, a Retail Shop, the Nulla Nulla Art Gallery, Dusty’s Dinner Camp Cafe, and the Slim Dusty Museum. The museum’s collection of memorabilia is extensive, and the “This is your Life” show is a must-see for fans of the late country music legend. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of The Slim Dusty Centre before going there.

5. One Mile Beach

Located in Forster, New South Wales, One Mile Beach ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. You must take 7 hours and 18 mins of driving to arrive at One Mile Beach. This beach features a long stretch of sand, a large dune at one end, and the surf club cafe at the bottom. The cafe is open on set days and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The surf club cafe offers a great selection of food and drink and is perfect for relaxing after a day spent at the beach. If you want to learn more about One Mile Beach, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.

6. Sydney Opera House

Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney is the Sydney Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales. Sydney Opera House is 837 km from Gold Coast, and it would take 8 hours and 49 mins to drive. The Sydney Opera House is a world-renowned building located in Australia. Visitors can schedule tours of the Opera House in advance, and there are many great restaurants, coffee houses, and shops nearby. The Opera House is located next to a ferry terminal, making it easy to access. At night, the Opera House is illuminated with colorful projections, making it an even more beautiful sight. You can check their TripAdvisor page or official website for more information about the Sydney Opera House.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Gold Coast to Sydney

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Gold Coast to Sydney drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Gold Coast To Sydney?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip takes approximately 8 hours and 51 mins to drive. The driving distance between Gold Coast to Sydney is 837 km.
• If you want to make the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be one day and 22 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Gold Coast-Sydney route, you will have to walk for seven days and 2 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Gold Coast To Sydney?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Sydney. You can visit Gold Coast, Queensland; Byron Bay, New South Wales; Coffs Harbour, New South Wales; Kempsey, New South Wales; Forster, New South Wales; Sydney, New South Wales, on the road. Here we list six places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the Gold Coast to Sydney journey, you can check the 6 Best Places To Visit On The Gold Coast To Sydney Road Trip.

1. Sea World, Gold Coast: 9.4 km / 17 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 842 km / 9 hours of driving to Sydney.
2. Cape Byron Lighthouse: 95.5 km / 1 hour and 20 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 760 km / 8 hours and 4 mins of driving to Sydney.
3. Dolphin Marine Conservation Park: 312 km / 3 hours and 18 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 528 km / 5 hours and 34 mins of driving to Sydney.
4. The Slim Dusty Centre: 425 km / 4 hours and 30 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 415 km / 4 hours and 25 mins of driving to Sydney.
5. One Mile Beach: 696 km / 7 hours and 18 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 204 km / 2 hours and 28 mins of driving to Sydney.
6. Sydney Opera House: 837 km / 8 hours and 49 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 1.7 km / 9 mins of driving to Sydney.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Gold Coast To Sydney?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. We have selected six hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 6 Best Hotels On The Road Trip To Sydney From Gold Coast section.

• RACV Royal Pines Resort Gold Coast: 5.1 km / 9 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 842 km / 8 hours and 48 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Cape Byron Retreat: 96.1 km / 1 hour and 17 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 761 km / 8 hours of driving to Sydney.
• Royal Palms Motor Inn: 310 km / 3 hours and 16 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 529 km / 5 hours and 35 mins of driving to Sydney.
• City Centre Motel: 1,663 km / 17 hours and 4 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 836 km / 8 hours and 39 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Forster Motor Inn: 562 km / 5 hours and 57 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 306 km / 3 hours and 27 mins of driving to Sydney.
• Little National Hotel Sydney: 837 km / 8 hours and 50 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 0.7 km / 4 mins of driving to Sydney.

Where To Eat Between Gold Coast to Sydney?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Gold Coast to Sydney drive, you can consider the six restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 6 Best Restaurants On The Gold Coast To Sydney Road Trip.

1. Hatsuhana Japanese Restaurant, Gold Coast: 10.3 km / 19 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 844 km / 9 hours and 3 mins of driving to Sydney.
2. The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co: 92.1 km / 1 hour and 12 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 757 km / 7 hours and 55 mins of driving to Sydney.
3. Urban Espresso Lounge: 312 km / 3 hours and 20 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 527 km / 5 hours and 33 mins of driving to Sydney.
4. The Garden Bar & Kitchen: 411 km / 4 hours and 22 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 428 km / 4 hours and 33 mins of driving to Sydney.
5. Spice Monkey Forster: 561 km / 5 hours and 56 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 306 km / 3 hours and 28 mins of driving to Sydney.
6. Harvest Buffet Sydney: 839 km / 8 hours and 54 mins to drive from Gold Coast | 2.1 km / 6 mins of driving to Sydney.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney. We have listed six hotels, six restaurants, and six places to visit on the Gold Coast to Sydney drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken the Gold Coast to Sydney road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Gold Coast to Sydney and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.