10 must-dos on your Brisbane to Sydney road trip

For an iconic journey filled with spectacular landscapes, diverse experiences, and plenty of culinary treats, road trip from Brisbane to Sydney. Never dull, this 900-kilometre Pacific Highway route passes peaceful seaside towns, hinterland trails worth the detour, and legendary stops that every traveller should pilgrimage to along this route.

With driving distances between 1-3 hours and stops as rewarding as your motorhome is comfortable (and it’s very comfy), this Queensland to New South Wales road trip is the epitome of an effortless vacation.

If you’re ready to embrace freedom, adventure, and life on the open road, check out our top 10 must-do stops on a Brisbane to Sydney road trip, with your Australian motorhome rental.

Why choose a motorhome to road trip Brisbane to Sydney?

When you travel in a motorhome, you’re choosing convenience, cosiness, and unparalleled flexibility for your Brisbane to Sydney road trip. What could give you more opportunities to be spontaneous and free than travelling with everything you need without sacrificing comfort?

Travelling by motorhome allows you to explore further, stay longer, and wake to some of the best nature spots in Australia, sometimes with a cheeky kangaroo at your door! With the sounds of the ocean as your alarm clock, it’s easy to become fully immersed in the journey.

Some of the perks of an Australia motorhome hire include:

Guaranteed comfort Come rain or shine (or outback heat), you know you’re safe and dry with comfy beds, a bathroom and handy kitchen.

Stay spontaneous Loved the look of that little farm shop? Check it out. Feel like the weather is more beachy than hiking? It’s easy to change your plans. The flexibility of life on the road means you get to be as un/scheduled as you choose.

• Ease on the road: Skip nighttime toilet dashes and rooting around for coins for a hot shower, you’ve got everything you need in one tidy vehicle.
• Eat your way: Whether you love dining alfresco, sampling farm-fresh produce, or are managing an allergy-free diet, travelling with a fridge and kitchen ensures you can eat your way.
• Travel light: If you’re travelling by plane, you’ll love skipping packing (and carrying) tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, and more.
• Safety is key: Not only can you lock up your belongings (and yourself at night), but you’ve got safety in the form of our handy 24/7 roadside assistance.
• Camp free: Did you know you can free camp in Australia at hundreds of designated sites across the country, if you’re travelling in a fully self-contained vehicle (which all Star RV vehicles are)?

Star RV's 10 Road Trip Must-Dos from Brisbane to Sydney

Planning a road trip can be daunting at the best of times, but when it’s on a route filled with amazing attractions, mindbogglingly beautiful scenery, and countless hidden treasures, how to choose?

Thankfully, we’re the road trip experts! Whether you’re off on a quick jaunt or planning a longer road trip, consider these 10 road trip must-dos from Brisbane to Sydney.

1. The glittering Gold Coast

After collecting your motorhome hire in Brisbane, from our branch near Brisbane Airport (we’ve assumed you’ve already checked out Brissie), a Gold Coast stop is essential.

While you may know the Gold Coast for Surfers Paradise and its theme parks, there’s so much more on offer. Like iconic Burleigh Heads, where the culmination of the Burleigh Heads National Park, gorgeous white-sand beach, and trendy eateries make for a fabulous stay. Or peaceful Currumbin, where the ripper surf and award-winning Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary appeal.

If time permits, detour to the lush Gold Coast hinterland. Walk the Twin Falls Circuit in Springbrook National Park or explore the spectacular rainforest walks of Lamington National Park.

Best campground: Ninety minutes south of Brisbane, centrally located Burleigh Beach Tourist Park has powered sites and fab facilities.

2. Boho Byron Bay

The pristine beaches, wellness-focused attractions, and boho vibes of Byron Bay make this a popular stop on a Brisbane to Sydney road trip. A sunrise walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse, the most easterly point in mainland Australia, is a must. Between ocean dips and choosing which Byron beach is your favourite (our pick? Wategos!), check out the town’s boutique shops, organic cafés, and hip nightlife.

For a break from the Byron buzz, head to picturesque hinterland towns like Bangalow and hippie haven Nimbin, where quaint stores, lively markets, and tasty artisanal goods for your motorhome fridge delight. For something out of the ordinary, visit Crystal Castle.

Best campground: An hour from Burleigh, Reflections Byron Holiday Park is a central beachside campground close to the action.

3. Relaxing Yamba

An up-and-coming Northern New South Wales beach town, Yamba is the way Byron Bay once was. Charming, peaceful, and scenic, it’s an ideal spot to reclaim your inner peace and dive deeper into holiday mode.

A dip in the famous Yamba Main Beach ocean pool and Angourie blue and green swimming holes are summer rites of passage. If you’re up for a hike, take the 6-kilometre trail to Durrangan Look; it goes via Angourie pool. For a splurge, dine at the Pacific Hotel where the view is as exceptional as the creative degustation menu (lower budget meals are also available).

Best campground: Calypso Yamba Holiday Park is 90 minutes from Bryon. Its Clarence River location, ample facilities - including pool, laundry, and free Wi-Fi - and easy access to Yamba’s key attractions make it an ideal base.

4. Ancient Dorrigo National Park

While Coffs Harbour is a great spot to stop en route (snap a selfie at the Big Banana), we rate a hinterland stay near Dorrigo National Park for a change of pace. This ancient rainforest is part of the UNESCO Gondwana Rainforests of Australia; it's a privilege to walk amid species that are 60 million years old on trails like Wonga Walk. Outside the park, visit the 30-metre gushing Dangar Falls.

If marine wonders are more your vibe, snorkel or dive the coral reefs at the Solitary Islands Marine Park in Coffs Harbour.

Best campground: We love the proximity and peace of Dorrigo Mountain Holiday Park, 2.5 hours from Yamba.

5. The secrets of South West Rocks

Often omitted from Brisbane to Sydney road trip itineraries, get off the beaten path to explore South West Rocks. Lesser known but no less charming, South West Rocks offers gorgeous beaches, the beautiful Arakoon National Park, and panoramic views from Smoky Cape Lighthouse.

Connect to the region’s history at the Trial Bay Gaol, followed by a walk along the Powder Magazine or Monument Hill tracks for exceptional views.

For qualified divers, scuba Australia’s only true ocean cave at Fish Rock. Expect the company of hammerhead sharks from October to January!

Best campground: Ninety minutes from Dorrigo, camp with the ocean on your doorstep at Trial Bay Gaol campground.

6. Chill-as Crowdy Bay

Crowdy Bay has one of the best national park campgrounds in NSW, thanks to its gorgeous beachside location. An idyllic place to snorkel, hike, watch the resident kangaroos, or laze with a good book, a stay here encapsulates a true Australian beach break.

En route to Crowdy Bay, spend some time checking out Port Macquarie, where history, nature, and adventure combine. Recommended stops include Port Macquarie Museum, Koala Hospital, or Walk n’ Fork, an 8-kilometre trail dotted with cafés and swim spots.

Best campground: Diamond Head Campground is 90 minutes from South West Rocks with 75 unpowered beach-and-bush campsites, plus showers, toilets, picnic tables, and BBQs.

7. Adventuresome Port Stephens

A Port Stephens visit is easily filled with adventure, fun, and awe. Why? Because besides its scenic waterways and 26 stunning beaches, there are dolphins to spy, 4WD, quad biking and horse-riding tours, plus dunes to slide down!

You’ll find the latter at the Stockton Sand Dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands, managed by the traditional custodians. Learn more about the Worimi people at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place.

Tomaree National Park is another Port Stephens gem. While challenging, the coastal views on the Tomaree Head Summit Walk make the 2-hour leg workout worth it. If you prefer a more chill experience in the park, head to Fingal Bay or Birubi Beach for a swim.

Prefer a bustling city stay? Nearby Newcastle has arts, culture, tasty culinary delights, and the largest ocean bath in the southern hemisphere.

Best campground: Nestled between two scenic beaches, two and a half hours from Crowdy Bay, Halifax Holiday Park’s modern amenities and proximity to attractions make it hard to beat.

8. Celebratory Hunter Valley

Wine lovers rejoice at an inland detour to the Hunter Valley’s 150+ wineries. It isn’t just a destination to enjoy an array of tipples at Australia’s oldest wine region. There’s also gourmet food, the pretty Hunter Valley Gardens, and several adventure activities like hot air balloon and horseback rides.

To ensure no one is stuck as the sober driver, consider renting an e-bike, taking the Hop-on-hop-off wine bus or booking a Hunter Valley wine tour.

Best campground: An hour from Port Stephens, Wine Country Tourist Park is an ideal spot to explore the local vineyards.

9. The sublime Central Coast

The Central Coast has beautiful beaches, scenic bushwalks, and charming towns to entice. Like the soul-enriching Bouddi National Park, where the ocean meets the rainforest. Hike the trails (including the renowned Bouddi Coastal Walk), swim at Putty Beach or Maitland Bay or visit some of the park’s 100+ culturally significant Aboriginal sites, including Daleys Point.

Along the coast, Avoca Beach wows with its laidback atmosphere and excellent surfing conditions. Alternatively, paddleboard Tuggerah Lakes or enjoy a sunset cocktail in Terrigal.

Best campground: We rate the NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort for its excellent facilities and central location between Bouddi National Park and beaches. It’s 90 minutes from the Hunter Valley.

10. The wild Blue Mountains

For a dramatic change of scenery, head inland to the Blue Mountains. The rugged cliffs, deep valleys, verdant forests, and eucalypt blue haze reveal a different side to New South Wales, one equally as enchanting!

Standing in awe of the Three Sisters rock formation is a must-do, as is a Scenic World where you can ride a train, cable car or enjoy a boardwalk stroll in the temperate forest.

For the best hiking trails, consider the Grand Canyon or Charles Darwin tracks. Nature lovers enjoy searching for glowworms in a tunnel at Newnes Plateau, and heading underground at the Jenolan Caves, Australia’s largest cave system.

Best campground: Katoomba Falls Tourist Park is centrally located and 2.5 hours from the Central Coast and 90 minutes to our Sydney motorhome hire branch.

A Brisbane to Sydney road trip is one of discovery, adventure, and expansion

Enjoy an immersive and personalised journey in a Star RV motorhome.

Road-tripping the Pacific Highway awakens your adventurous spirit, recalibrates the mind, and reminds you of the joy of spontaneity and play. Motorhome travel allows you to set your own pace, camp in style at stunning locations, and enjoy freedom and flexibility as you travel.

If you’re ready to embark on a Brisbane to Sydney East Coast escapade in an Australian motorhome rental, click BOOK NOW or call our team on 1800 875 018.