Travel Advice for Driving Brisbane to Sydney

seasideone

Well-known member
As ever the travel advice and recommendations from fellow Seasiders over the years have been nothing short of outstanding.

On July 4th I am starting a road Journey from Brisbane and my plan was simple….

Monday: Drive to Byron Bay and stop over
Tuesday: Drive to Coffs Harbour and stay over

I was then planning on driving to Port Macquarie, stopping over and driving to Sydney the following day.

Is Port Macquarie worth a visit or should I fly from Coffs Harbour to Sydney as it is a long way???

I am not bothered about going to Newcastle or the Blue Mountains as I have been before.

Anyone know, and anyone got any recommendations along the way???

Thanks in advance 👍

UTMP

Ps I am sure there is a couple of fellow fans who post on here who live in the area.
 
Keep me posted! Our daughter arrives in Oz in August and once she's settled we'll be planning our trip for November. She's got a job in Melbourne but we'll be visiting family in Sydney and around Port Macquarie as well.
 
Sounds like a fab trip. I drove Melbourne to Sydney a few years ago over the course of a couple of days. Getting up into the mountains, seeing snow, stopping to watch mobs of kangaroos pass. Giant Ned Kelly, a submarine hundreds of km from sea, bits that looked more like Austria or Colorado.

As I’m sure you realise towns are much, much more spread out than in Europe, 60-100km between settlements is pretty normal so plan petrol, water accordingly. In fact I’m guessing maybe not so far along that coast.

Watch out for the ‘Roos especially at twilight. One bad side of the trip was all the roadkill…
 
S1, how many miles is it?
Will you be travelling straight across country? Which I doubt.
I see that by train it's 616 miles.
Recently did Poulton-le=Fylde to the Dordogne (France) and back. About 1800 miles.
Not bad for a 86 y.o. 87 next month, and just renewed my BFC Season Ticket.
 
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S1, how many miles is it?
Will you be travelling straight across country? Which I doubt.
I see that by train it's 616 miles.
Recently did Poulton-le=Fylde to the Dordogne (France) and back. About 1800 miles.
Not bad for a 86 y.o. 87 next month, and just renewed my BFC Season Ticket.
Good for you Dave, I really do admire how active you are 👍

It’s just shy of a 1000k and down the coast.

The help I need is where to stop on the two or three nights we have to do it???
 
S1, how many miles is it?
Will you be travelling straight across country? Which I doubt.
I see that by train it's 616 miles.
Recently did Poulton-le=Fylde to the Dordogne (France) and back. About 1800 miles.
Not bad for a 86 y.o. 87 next month, and just renewed my BFC Season Ticket.
Fantastic Dave, keep going
 
Did this drive 2 years ago it was brilliant. Brisbane is a great city particularly Southbank. We stayed 2 nights Byron Bay, 2 nights in Coffs, 1 night in Port Macquarie and 1 night in Nelson Bay then 2 nights in the Hunter Valley, amazing wine tours.
Saw some fabulous beaches off the main drag. Great trip.
 
You'll want at least a full day in Byron, Port Macquarie not sure what's there... Would skip.

Ballina is a smaller Byron Bay and Yamba is pretty good as well. Both inbetween Bris & Sydney. Both not amazing amazing but cool little surf towns along the coast.

Found Sydney to be very overrated, lot of business buildings, not much character, was pretty bored after a day, once you've seen the harbour there's not much else too it IMO.

Would get to Melbourne if possible. 10x better. Loads of different neighbourhoods. Could spend weeks there.
 
You'll want at least a full day in Byron, Port Macquarie not sure what's there... Would skip.

Ballina is a smaller Byron Bay and Yamba is pretty good as well. Both inbetween Bris & Sydney. Both not amazing amazing but cool little surf towns along the coast.

Found Sydney to be very overrated, lot of business buildings, not much character, was pretty bored after a day, once you've seen the harbour there's not much else too it IMO.

Would get to Melbourne if possible. 10x better. Loads of different neighbourhoods. Could spend weeks there.
didn't rate Melbourne myself, much preferred Sydney.
 
Cheers guys.

I lived in Sydney for just over two years and went to Melbourne loads and love both cities.

I have also been to Brisbane many times but never done the drive.

Can’t wait - and any other opinions or ideas are more than welcome 👍👍
 
Cheers guys.

I lived in Sydney for just over two years and went to Melbourne loads and love both cities.

I have also been to Brisbane many times but never done the drive.

Can’t wait - and any other opinions or ideas are more than welcome 👍👍
Isnt Sam clued up on those parts.
 
I'm told by someone who knows that they are shit hot on speeding and get you from miles away. I know you're hard up so don't get pinched 😂
Oh - and DEFINITELY don't hit a Roo, they come from nowhere at night by all accounts so park up and have a beer.
 
So some advice/observations required- the bairn (daughter) has been offered a job as a critical care nurse in Melbourne (her boyfriend’s a welding engineer so he’s sorted).

Melbourne looks ideal for them but I’m concerned about the weather - apparently it can be quite changeable and I’d want full on guaranteed sunshine if you’re leaving the uk.

Both are thinking about working in the mining area instead doing fly in fly out and possibly living in Perth.

They’re going to have a good look about before making a final decision but any tips or guidance would be greatly appreciated
 
So some advice/observations required- the bairn (daughter) has been offered a job as a critical care nurse in Melbourne (her boyfriend’s a welding engineer so he’s sorted).

Melbourne looks ideal for them but I’m concerned about the weather - apparently it can be quite changeable and I’d want full on guaranteed sunshine if you’re leaving the uk.

Both are thinking about working in the mining area instead doing fly in fly out and possibly living in Perth.

They’re going to have a good look about before making a final decision but any tips or guidance would be greatly appreciated
Having lived down under for a few years….

The weather in Melbourne is known for its changeability - 4 seasons in one day is very common.

It’s unlikely they will get wall to wall sunshine living in one of the major cities, although Sydney has more days of sunshine than most.

Perth on average is warmer, especially in Winter but like everywhere else (apart from the North and maybe Brisbane ) can be chilly in winter.

The mines pay well and operate on varying shift patterns - some far better than others and unless they have the same employer and on the same shift patterns it could be difficult.

I wouldn’t have thought either will struggle for work, but medium term if they want to stay in Australia they will need to take the pledge.

A big factor will depend on what visa they are going over on, and if you know that I can probably help more?
 
Why was that?
Spent four days and nights in both. Melbourne had the MCG of which we did the tour and it was good but on the whole not much else to do and see. Did a tram ride to St Kildas and had a walk on the front there, did a river boat cruise which was ok but really nothing that grabbed me. And as mentioned above, the incredible daily changes in temperature was staggering., Sydney has the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and generally just better places to go as a tourist for walks and in the evening for meals and drinks. If i was ever to go to Oz again I would return to Sydney as a must but would look at going to other cities. i wouldn't go back to Melbourne other than for a sporting event which again is unlikely.
Just my view but each to our own.
 
Done it too many times to count. Always preferred Coolangatta to Brissy ...and Broadbeach / Surfers is worth a pop in ...but ..you wont have many miles under your belt by then. Never really rated Coffs ( Woolgoolga preferable ) and I would suggest the better places to stop are the least well known. Iluka and Yamba in my opinion a must. Urunga worth a look as is Pottsville, try a divert via Forster and via Myall Lakes, and come into Sydney suburbs via Central Coast. Nelson Bay is a bigger natural harbour than Syd, and has some eyecatching views.
Croc and Gator pies in Frederickton 👍
For hotel / motel tips and restaurant info ..PM me if you wish. Safe journey, and as someone said, careful of roos / wallabies ... they just jump out straight in front - especially at night.
 
Having lived down under for a few years….

The weather in Melbourne is known for its changeability - 4 seasons in one day is very common.

It’s unlikely they will get wall to wall sunshine living in one of the major cities, although Sydney has more days of sunshine than most.

Perth on average is warmer, especially in Winter but like everywhere else (apart from the North and maybe Brisbane ) can be chilly in winter.

The mines pay well and operate on varying shift patterns - some far better than others and unless they have the same employer and on the same shift patterns it could be difficult.

I wouldn’t have thought either will struggle for work, but medium term if they want to stay in Australia they will need to take the pledge.

A big factor will depend on what visa they are going over on, and if you know that I can probably help more
 
Both on working visas I know my daughters was more involved as she had to submit her nursing qualifications and have a full medical.

They get there early august and are going to have a look at their options
 
Both on working visas I know my daughters was more involved as she had to submit her nursing qualifications and have a full medical.

They get there early august and are going to have a look at their options
I am guessing your daughter is on a 4 year working visa fixed to her employer and her partner is on a working holiday visa???

I built a recruitment company down under so maybe able to help - as I know about this stuff 👍
 
Got some mates in Port Macquarie who gave me some great tips, I'll try and dig them out.
Yamba chippy is legendary. Views from Evans Head are spectacular and Hunter Valley wine tours are not to be missed.
 
I am guessing your daughter is on a 4 year working visa fixed to her employer and her partner is on a working holiday visa???

I built a recruitment company down under so maybe able to help - as I know about this stuff 👍
Champion I might give you a shout once they’re there (Vietnam at the minute and then Bali !)
 
Looks absolutely class they survived Thailand as I gave them a helpful get out of jail free card “do you know WHUSC???”
 
Ok blatant advertisement, any Registered Nurses out there want to come and live in Perth (far nicer than the East Coast) let me know, my wife is actively recruiting for 30 positions!
 
Too many flies in Melbourne… drove us crazy..

Didn't see one. Lived there for a year. CBD.

Spent four days and nights in both. Melbourne had the MCG of which we did the tour and it was good but on the whole not much else to do and see. Did a tram ride to St Kildas and had a walk on the front there, did a river boat cruise which was ok but really nothing that grabbed me. And as mentioned above, the incredible daily changes in temperature was staggering., Sydney has the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and generally just better places to go as a tourist for walks and in the evening for meals and drinks. If i was ever to go to Oz again I would return to Sydney as a must but would look at going to other cities. i wouldn't go back to Melbourne other than for a sporting event which again is unlikely.
Just my view but each to our own.
I was only there briefly but didn't get time to see the beaches. Just did the gardens, harbour and bridge etc. Wasn't terrible and maybe expectations were too high but didn't grab me. I thought there was tons going on in Melbourne. Each to their own, maybe if I got down to bondi my mind would be changed!
 
Ok blatant advertisement, any Registered Nurses out there want to come and live in Perth (far nicer than the East Coast) let me know, my wife is actively recruiting for 30 positions!
Definitely I’ll let my daughter know - critical care nurse in the uk and arrives in Oz in august!
 
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I was only there briefly but didn't get time to see the beaches. Just did the gardens, harbour and bridge etc. Wasn't terrible and maybe expectations were too high but didn't grab me. I thought there was tons going on in Melbourne. Each to their own, maybe if I got down to bondi my mind would be changed!
Personally think Bondi is a toilet, but Manly is exceptional 👍
 
I was only there briefly but didn't get time to see the beaches. Just did the gardens, harbour and bridge etc. Wasn't terrible and maybe expectations were too high but didn't grab me. I thought there was tons going on in Melbourne. Each to their own, maybe if I got down to bondi my mind would be changed!
both botanical gardens are nice but Sydney's are much bigger. Absolute memory moment walking up Sydney Harbour Bridge even though it was very expensive. Melbourne for me was like graph paper. Straight streets up and across the whole City centre with most of them just lined with shops.
 
Personally think Bondi is a toilet, but Manly is exceptional 👍
Yeah but if you're going to Sydney and perhaps may never visit again, I'd suggest most would want to see what is perhaps the most famous and well known beach in the world. Yes, you may well metion Copacabana but you get my point. We were all at the terminal set waiting to go to Manly but the weather was awful that day and all ferries to everywhere were cancelled five minutes before we were due to go. As an aside, we were there at the the same time as Fargo and met up with him for a meal.
 
Yeah but if you're going to Sydney and perhaps may never visit again, I'd suggest most would want to see what is perhaps the most famous and well known beach in the world. Yes, you may well metion Copacabana but you get my point.
Just as people go to Raffles here in Singapore for a Singapore Sling as it’s iconic and then get ripped off for the privelidge.

I would suggest if you are in Sydney go and see it so you have - then go to Manly as it’s stunning!
 
Just as people go to Raffles here in Singapore for a Singapore Sling as it’s iconic and then get ripped off for the privelidge.

I would suggest if you are in Sydney go and see it so you have - then go to Manly as it’s stunning!
see my edited post.
 
see my edited post.
Weird that - as in all the time I lived there I never remember the Ferries being cancelled - that said I didn’t use them to get around that often as I could walk to work from Darling Harbour to Martin Place.

The weather must have been bad!!!
 
Weird that - as in all the time I lived there I never remember the Ferries being cancelled - that said I didn’t use them to get around that often as I could walk to work from Darling Harbour to Martin Place.

The weather must have been bad!!!
It was. Trees uprooted.


 
That’s madness - the dates were from 2020 and we haven’t lived there since December 2017.

Really looking forward to going back though in the next few weeks 👍
yep, that was the four days we were there. Friday was ok, saturday it started to come in and sunday was the bad 'un. SHB was booked for the monday and we thought no chance, but woke up and it was glorious. Went on a cruise on the tuesday and was talking to a yank passenger who had hired a car and an uprooted tree fell on and crushed his car and he narrowly escaped fatal injury. Was all in the news at the time.
 
yep, that was the four days we were there. Friday was ok, saturday it started to come in and sunday was the bad 'un. SHB was booked for the monday and we thought no chance, but woke up and it was glorious. Went on a cruise on the tuesday and was talking to a yank passenger who had hired a car and an uprooted tree fell on and crushed his car and he narrowly escaped fatal injury. Was all in the news at the time.
Wow 👍
 
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