Epic East Coast Adventure: Road Tripping from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast
If you found out your friend was planning a solo drive of nearly 2,000 km to relocate from Melbourne, Victoria, to Sunshine Coast, Queensland, just five minutes from your home, what would you do? My first thought was: road trip! Any hint or suggestion of a road trip, and I instantly start creating itinerary ideas. At this point, I had been in Australia for seven months but hadn't had the chance to travel much. Though I had previously driven down the East Coast from Cairns to Sydney, I was young and inexperienced then. This time, I was excited to embark on the journey again, especially to gain new content and experiences. The best part? Doing it with my best friend made it an opportunity I couldn't resist!
In this blog, I'll detail our road trip itinerary, including the driving distances, notable stops, accommodation recommendations (or not), and other suggestions along the way. Join us as we explore the highlights of this incredible journey from Melbourne to Sunshine Coast!
Contents:
View from the plane from Sunshine Coast to Melbourne
Melbourne to Bright
Our journey began at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, where Britt picked me up after my flight from the Sunshine Coast. The flight took around 2.5 hours and cost me $176.58 with Jetstar for a one-way ticket in mid-June. Our first day's travel itinerary was straightforward: drive to Bright, a scenic 310 km journey from the airport that took us around 3.5 hours. We were fortunate to stay in a private cabin owned by a family friend, allowing us to relax and catch up after the drive.
Sunrise over the mountains in Bright, Victoria
Autumn in Bright, Victoria
Bright in June is stunning, offering a unique glimpse of Australia's seasonal changes. We woke up to a crisp 1 degree Celsius morning with frost on the ground—a stark contrast to our winter days in Canada but still significant after an Australian winter. The roads were lined with crunchy leaves under bright blue skies. Instead of a traditional breakfast, we visited the highly recommended Gumtree Pies. Despite the early hour, the place was bustling. Our stopover in Bright was brief but memorable, and it's a place I would love to revisit.
Bright to Wollongong
The next day was a major driving day, covering 610 km from Bright to Wollongong. Although it should have taken around 6.5 hours, it felt much longer. Most of the journey was along the Hume Highway, a long, straight, and monotonous road. However, a stop at The Big Koala rest-stop provided a fun highlight and set the tone for our trip’s quirky roadside attractions. To survive this stretch, we made sure to have plenty of snacks and games on hand to combat the boredom.
Upon arriving in Wollongong, our weariness vanished. We stayed at the Best Western City Sands, which cost $157.95 per night for a "mountain view room." While the "mountain view" was underwhelming, the room itself was well-equipped and impeccably clean. The hotel is conveniently located on a golf course and features its own restaurant and bar. With sunset approaching, we dropped our bags and took a scenic walk from the golf course along City Beach to Flagstaff Hill and the lighthouse.
Hugging the Big Koala on the Hume Highway in New South Wales
Sunset over the golf course in Wollongong, New South Wales
For dinner, we dined at Meat & Grain Steakhouse. The meal was reasonably priced but not particularly memorable. Later, we enjoyed a few drinks at Dicey Riley’s Irish Bar, a popular local spot.
The next morning, I ventured out at sunrise to explore beyond the lighthouse, visiting the harbour and Wollongong North Beach—both well worth the visit. For breakfast, we headed to Lili J’s, where I highly recommend trying their pistachio croissant. This added a delicious end to our stay in Wollongong before continuing our travel road trip itinerary.
Wollongong to Bondi Beach
Today’s travel itinerary took us from Wollongong to Bondi, a relatively short drive of 98 km, which allowed us to enjoy several stops along the way. Our first stop was Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh. Not to sound morbid, but up until this point, I had only seen dead wombats on this trip, and I was desperate to see a live one. Meeting Millie the Wombat here was a highlight, and she instantly became my best friend! We were also fortunate enough to see baby koalas and feed kangaroos and wallabies. The entry fee was $42, which included a bag of animal feed, and it was worth every penny, as I still haven’t seen another wombat to this day.
Millie the Wombat at Symbio Wildlife Park, NSW
Coastal View on the Grand Pacific Drive, NSW
View of the Sea Cliff Bridge, NSW
Next, we headed to Sea Cliff Bridge, a 665-metre-long marvel that is part of the Grand Pacific Drive, a 140 km route filled with stunning coastal scenery. We chose this scenic route to Sydney over the main highway, and it didn’t disappoint. We also passed through the Royal National Park, enjoying its lush green landscapes and winding roads.
Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales
In Bondi, we stayed at the Ultimate Apartments Bondi Beach for $136.38 per night. We picked it for the free onsite parking, but unfortunately, that was the only "ultimate" feature. The accommodation had a severe pest infestation, including bed bugs, making it a place I cannot recommend. Thankfully, we quickly headed out for a happy hour dinner at La Madia Pizzeria, followed by a fun night of drag bingo at the Royal Bondi.
The next morning, we eagerly left the accommodation and took a walk along the Bondi Beach esplanade. However, I found it difficult to see the appeal of Bondi compared to other beautiful places in Australia. Despite its regular appearance on top 10 beach lists, I couldn’t understand why it ranks so high while gems like Rainbow Beach don’t. Nonetheless, Bondi’s popularity is undeniable, partly due to the TV show Bondi Rescue and the famous Iceberg Pools.
This leg of our road trip was filled with unique experiences and scenic beauty, making it an unforgettable part of our travel adventure.
Bondi Beach to Coffs Harbour
We swiftly found ourselves back in the car for another long driving day, with Coffs Harbour as our destination. The day involved a lot of driving, but there was early excitement when we unexpectedly crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. While we were initially worried about the toll fee, it ended up being manageable.
Early morning sunrise in Coffs Harbour, NSW
Travel Tip: The east coast of Australia is dotted with toll roads. Before embarking on a road trip, consider ordering a toll tag from Linkt. This handy device beeps each time you pass through a toll and can be synced to automatically charge your bank account, saving you the hassle of paying tolls on the go.
The rest of the day was dedicated to driving. We stayed at the Surf Beach Motel in Coffs Harbour, which cost $138 for the night. It was basic but clean, a definite upgrade from the previous night. We planned an early night to catch the sunrise, and it turned out to be one of the trip's highlights. We began our morning at Park Beach, watching the early surfers hit the waves. Our walk extended to North Wall Beach and Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. We grabbed coffee from Hub Café Jetty for the walk back and enjoyed breakfast at Café Aqua.
Although our time in Coffs Harbour was brief and we missed out on visiting Sawtell, which had been recommended to us, I loved the town's small-time vibe and peacefulness. It's a place I would definitely consider returning to. This leg of our road trip, filled with scenic beauty and serene moments, added another memorable chapter to our travel adventure.
Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay
Could we really leave Coffs Harbour without seeing the giant banana at The Big Banana Fun Park? Of course not! We made a quick pit stop here on our way out, snapping some fun photos before continuing our journey 2.5 hours north to Byron Bay. On the way, we stopped at The Big Prawn in Ballina, located at a Bunnings store, which became the site of my most viral TikTok to date!
The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour, NSW
The Big Prawn, Ballina, New South Wales
Upon reaching Byron Bay, we checked into Discovery Parks, where our cozy little cabin cost $217.50 for two nights. Despite being the cheapest accommodation of our trip, it was our favorite. Nestled in the hinterland yet close enough to explore Byron easily, it provided the perfect balance of seclusion and convenience.
Our first night was spent at The Great Northern for trivia night, followed by drinks and live music at The Piano Bar, a vibrant spot that’s a must-visit if you’re in the area! The next day, despite a bit of a hangover, we embarked on a scenic 5.5 km walk from our accommodation to the top of the Cape Byron Lighthouse, taking about 1.5 hours. From the lighthouse, we were lucky enough to spot whales and dolphins, as June marks the beginning of the great whale migration along Australia’s east coast.
Sunset in Byron Bay, NSW
The Farm Byron Bay, NSW
Cape Byron Lighthouse, NSW
Cape Byron, NSW
After our lighthouse adventure, we explored the local shops in town, then spent the evening sipping margaritas and eating tacos at Miss Margarita, followed by ice cream and a stunning sunset on the beach.
On our final full day of the road trip, we celebrated with a fancy brunch at Three Little Ducks at The Farm Byron Bay. The Farm is a fantastic destination, even if you don’t plan to eat. It features farm animals, a grocery store, a café, a restaurant, and offers workshops and weekly hands-on kids' lessons. We enjoyed a beautiful breakfast before setting off for Brisbane, concluding our unforgettable travel adventure.
Byron Bay to Brisbane
Beach view in Tweed Heads, New South Wales
The journey from Byron Bay to Brisbane spans 164 km. Along the way, we made a stop in Tweeds Heads, just south of the Gold Coast, to admire the stunning views. Upon reaching Brisbane, we met up with two friends and checked into the Royal on the Park. At $299 per night for the four of us, it was an excellent choice due to its prime location and the cleanliness of the rooms.
Our main reason for visiting Brisbane was to see The Dreggs perform at Fortitude Music Hall. We headed to Fortitude Valley, known for its vibrant nightlife. It was a fantastic spot for a few pre-show drinks, though the bustling atmosphere wasn’t quite our scene, so we left right after the gig. Nonetheless, the night was a memorable highlight of our road trip.
Brisbane to Sunshine Coast
All that was left for us to do was head back to the Sunshine Coast. The short 114 km journey took only 1.5 hours, and before we knew it, we were home. In total, we drove just over 2,000 km over roughly 24 hours. It was unforgettable to share this road trip with my best friend, and I feel so grateful to have explored more of Australia before I leave in October.
Highlights:
Brisbane to Sunshine Coast, Queensland
· Sunrise at Coffs Harbour
· Seeing Millie the Wombat at Symbio Wildlife Park
· Singing all night at The Piano Bar in Byron Bay
· Leaving Bondi Beach
· Seeing whales at Cape Byron Lighthouse
HEY, I’M LOZ!
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This is an insight into the life of a girl who likes to get lost. I write about all things travel and the outdoors. If you like my content please subscribe and if you really like it, please buy me a coffee so I can continue making content for you!