4 Day Road Trip: Campervanning From Sydney to Byron Bay

Sydney and Byron Bay are two Australian cities with a lot of buzz around them. The stretch between the two along the Central & Northern New South Wales Coast is by far not as famous. Having driven this stretch as part of our 18-day campervan road trip from Melbourne to Brisbane, I will present you a 4-day itinerary with the highlights between Sydney and Byron Bay along the coast as well as the hinterland. Be prepared - there is more to see than just beaches!

This article covers days 11-14 of our 18-day road trip itinerary along the southern East Coast of Australia. Click on the yellow 'Show Entire Route' tab on the top left, to view our in-depth guides to each stop for an even greater insight for your own road trip through Australia.

How many days should you plan for your Sydney to Byron Bay road trip

As always, with travel, you never have enough time to cover everything. You could spend a whole week between the two to really discover everything in depth. However, you should plan with a minimum of four days to enjoy your stops and not just rush through.

So here we go!

Day 1 - Sydney to the Blue Mountains → 2 hours (150 km / 93 miles)

• Grand Canyon Hike
• Katoomba & Three Sisters

Day 2 - The Blue Mountains to Port Stephens → 4 hours (300 km / 186 miles)

• Newcastle
• Stockton Dunes

Day 3 - Port Stephens to Dorrigo National Park → 5 hours (425 km / 264 miles)

• Port Macquarie
• Bellingen

Day 4 - Dorrigo National Park to Byron Bay → 3.5 hours (290 km / 180 miles)

• Coffs Harbour
• Brunswick Heads

Total time and distance driving → 14.5 hours - 1,165 km / 723 miles

Sydney - The Breathtaking Allrounder

Sydney is the largest city in Australia and world-famous for its Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and its Harbour in general. The city alone has over 70 beaches, which are sparkling clean, more than any other city in the world.

There is so much to do and see in Sydney, that we have dedicated three full days on our road trip to explore this marvelous city. So before you head up to the Blue Mountains and the coast, be sure to discover the city first.

Blue Mountains - Nature At Its Best

Before you head north along the coast, you have to take the detour inland to spend a day and night in the Blue Mountains.

Why are the Blue Mountains worth a stop? To get lost in a massive rainforest with eucalyptus trees, waterfalls, cliffs, and canyons. Fantastic for hiking and a small-town experience.

The Blue Mountains are known to the world mostly for its large variety of hiking, and mountain-biking trails, waterfalls, stunning lookouts, adventure sports such as canyoning, and camping all in lush nature made up of forest, cliffs, and canyons. The fact that this natural playground is only one hour away from Sydney increased its popularity.

To make the most out of your day in the Blue Mountains, combine a half-day hike, like the Grand Canyon hike with a visit to the towns of Katoomba and Leura, as well as a cliff walk with views of the famous Three Sisters.

Where to stay in the Blue Mountains? The best campground in terms of location and access is the Katoomba Falls Tourist Park.

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Newcastle - The Underdog

Why is Newcastle worth a stop? Fancy an impression of a low-key and not world-famous Australian city? Then Newcastle is for you.

Newcastle is about a 3 hours drive from Katoomba in the Blue Mountains and is en route to Port Stephens. It is worth stopping to get an idea of a typical Australian city, that is not world renown. It is actually the largest coal exporting harbor in the world, making it an industrial city. Yet in the past years, it has developed an artsy vibe, and it is worth a drive along the Shortland Esplanade, past the Newcastle and Nobby Beach. For a great view over Newcastle, make a stop at Fort Scratchley on top of Flagstaff Hill.

Take a stop to stretch your legs and get a drink or snack on the Queens Wharf. From there, you can catch a first glimpse of the Stockton Sand Dunes across the Hunter River.

Stockton Sand Dunes - Australia's Biggest Playground

Why are the Stockton Sand Dunes worth a visit? Sand-boarding in the largest moving dunes of the Southern Hemisphere anyone?

The Stockton Sand Dunes are part of the Worimi Conservation Lands on the Port Stephens peninsula. They are 32 km (20 miles) long and, therefore, the longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere. These massive dunes are located right next to the ocean, allowing comparisons to the Namib Desert in Namibia. Some of the dunes are up to 30 meters high, inviting locals and travelers for some sand-boarding fun, quad-biking, or 4WD action.

The road access to the dunes is in the north in the town of Anna Bay. You will find the upper and lower parking lot. Head to the lower parking lot right next to the different tour operators. There is no real big difference between the different providers, prices range between AU$27-28, and they all have purpose-built 4WD trucks taking you to the dunes.

If you care about being able to stand on your board, then you should choose to go with Sand Dune Safaris, as they are the only ones allowing you to stand on the board. For all others, you can only slide down the dune while sitting to prevent injuries. Either way, sitting or standing, it is a lot of fun! And the views alone are worth heading out on the dunes.

While on the Stockton Dunes and the Birubi Beach, you will also see camel tours. To us, it was mind-boggling, as we had no clue about camels living in Australia. Now, we are no fans of commercial camel tours, but the sight of them on the beach made us smile.

Port Stephens - The Underrated Pearl

Why is Port Stephens worth a stop? Experience a picture-perfect large natural harbor with many pristine beach coves, hiking options, and dolphin spottings.

When we are talking about Port Stephens, we don't only mean the tiny town, but rather the peninsula north of the Stockton Dunes. Locally Port Stephens is known for its Dolphin and Whale Watching tours; however, it is so much more than that.

Over ten beach coves, multiple hiking options, and beautiful turquoise water surrounding the peninsula make Port Stephens stand out amongst other coastal areas along the northern New South Wales Coast.

A definite highlight is the 1-hour hike up the Tomaree Mountain for indescribable views.

Where to stay in Port Stephens? There are six campgrounds/holiday parks in the Port Stephens area, all located near one of the many beaches. We recommend you to stay at the Middle Rock Holiday Resort.

Port Macquarie - The Coastal Artsy Town

Why is Port Macquarie worth a stop? A beautiful non-touristy seaside town with a friendly, relaxed vibe and a cute downtown.

Port Macquarie is a 2.5 hours drive from Port Stephens and sits at the mouth of the Hastings River. It combines a cute downtown vibe with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. It has developed from a convict history in the 19th century tor a popular retirement spot for locals. Like any city, town, or unpopulated spot along the Australian East Coast, it boasts multiple pristine beach coves that invite you to take a dip.

Be sure to make a stop at the Town Beach Park and stroll over to the mouth of the Hastings River to view the outdoor gallery created by the rock art. Unfortunately, we only learned about it after we had left Port Macquarie, which is why you won't find any artsy pictures here 😔. Go ahead and google Port Macquarie rock art to get an idea of what I am talking about.

For all those triathlon enthusiasts out there, Port Macquarie hosts the Ironman and 70.3 Ironman every spring. My heart jumped by seeing the Ironman flags wave around town, and I wished I could have stayed for race day.

Bellingen - The Historic Hinterland Gem

Why is Bellingen worth a stop? Get an insight into the laidback hinterland and a feeling for a whole different time and place of Australia.

A lot of people miss out on the hinterlands when driving up or down the East Coast. Don't be one of them.

Bellingen is one of those gems, only a 10-minute drive from the Pacific Highway inland. And yet you will feel transported to a different time and place.

Bello, as the locals call it, is one of the best-preserved historic towns, still portraying its sleepy, artsy and dreamy atmosphere surrounded by nothing but green, rivers, and waterfalls. Bellingen has become a favorite cottage get-away for a quiet and calm weekend for locals. For you, it will be a break from beach after beach and allows you a different insight into Australia.

Be sure to stop on the main road, Hyde Street, and discover the artsy and old school knickknack in the small shops and cafes. The best coffee in town is served at Amelia Franklin, a repurposed pit stop/workshop boasting with old school style.

Bellingen is also located at the doorstep of the famous Waterfall Way, carving its way further inland.

Dorrigo National Park - The Hinterland Waterfall Paradise

Why is the Dorrigo National Park worth a stop? Experience lush rainforest sprinkled with one waterfall after the other only 30 minutes inland from the coast.

Be sure to keep heading inland and follow along the Waterfall Way up to the Dorrigo National Park. Unfortunately, Jen and I didn't travel during Daylight Savings Time and thus had a lot shorter days. It was already dusk when we left Bellingen, and as the road to Dorrigo is relatively narrow and winding, it would not have been a good idea to keep driving in the dark.

But just because we missed this highlight of the Dorrigo National Park, doesn't mean you have to. Just try to travel between the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April to make the most of the longer days. The more daylight, the more time to explore.

My sister Miriam and her husband were inspired by our Australian road trip stories and traveled half a year later in November. They were able to include the Waterfall Way and Dorrigo into their itinerary and are happy to share why you should too!

Following the Waterfall Way, which itself gives you a first glimpse of the beauty of the rainforest of the Dorrigo National Park, you will directly reach the Dorrigo Rainforest Center. For a small fee (AU$2) you can access the park. First up, you will be guided to the Skywalk, a 70 meter (230 ft) long bridge, where you usually have a fantastic panoramic view. Unfortunately, when we were there, there was so much smoke from nearby bushfires that we weren’t able to see a lot. But we are pretty sure that the view is stunning under normal conditions. 

The Dorrigo National Park offers different walking trails, the most famous one being the Wonga Walk, which we chose to do. It starts directly at the Rainforest Center and will take you around 2-2.5 hours for the 6.6 km (4.1 miles), but as it is not very steep, it is quite an easy walk. 

The Dorrigo National Park is a true gem on this itinerary, as it is still quite unknown, and thus there are usually not so many tourists around. You get the impression of being the only people in the jungle, which allows you to really admire the many different plants, waterfalls, and huge old trees. 

It is also quite different from the rainforest at the Blue Mountains or in the area of the Great Ocean Road. We were able to see many different birds and even a snake (we found out later, that it wasn’t dangerous, puuh 😅).

After about half of the way, you reach the Crystal Shower Falls with a small cave behind them. A truly very, very beautiful spot.

Where to stay in the Dorrigo National Park? The best location to set up camp for the night is at the Dangar Falls Lodge. This lodge does not offer very much (except for showers and a toilet), but it is right next to the impressive Dangar Falls. You can directly walk from your campsite to the falls, and if you are brave enough, also jump into the water below the falls.

Coffs Harbour - The Relaxed and Hip Marina Town

Why is Coffs Harbour worth a stop? Ready for some fresh pancakes for breakfast while overlooking the ocean in a gorgeous laidback marina?

Next up is a stop at another coastal town. Coffs Harbour is the heart of the Coffs Coast and is about a one hour drive from Dorrigo. It is yet again famous for its beaches, but also its marine sanctuary. On your road trip, it is the perfect place for a stop in the morning. Head straight down to the jetty and take a morning stroll along Park Beach, watching dogs play on the sand and with the waves.

Treat yourself to a pancake breakfast with a delicious bowl from Mini Pancakes From The Jetty. The views while devouring the bite-size pancakes can't be beaten. Continue strolling through the park towards the Jetty Beach. You might watch some locals take a morning swim or work out on the jetty. If you are lucky enough to pass by on a Sunday, you will have the extra treat of the Harbourside Markets with stalls of handmade products, food, and live music.

For us, Coffs allowed for a beautiful, calm, magical morning with locals by the water.

Byron Bay - The Overrated Hippie Town

Why is Byron Bay worth a stop? World-famous hippie surfer town, filled with shops, restaurants, and the famous beach. Don't forget to visit the lighthouse.

Just the name conjures up images in people's minds. Mostly those images will be of a hyped-up laid back hippie surfer town with cool restaurants, coffee shops, festivals, and an alive community spirit.

All of that combined with its location of being Australia's most easterly point make it a pretty special place. From the iconic Cape Byron lighthouse, you will have views over the northern and southern bay with its waves always flowing.

If you are lucky enough to snatch parking in the lighthouse area, be sure to walk along the boardwalk of the Cape Byron Walking Track all the way to the downtown and the beach.

Stroll through the downtown area, hit the shops, and grab a bite at one of the too cool for school restaurants.

You might have read through the lines that I am not that big of a fan of Byron.

I will tell you why. In all honesty, it was disappointing. It could not live up to its hyped expectations. But most importantly, it is too crowded. You have to fight for a parking spot, you have to wait in line to be seated at a restaurant, and it was the fullest beach we have seen in all of Australia. But not just that, we had the feeling that Byron was dirty. The beach was dirty, the streets had a shabby look, and we felt more like a been there done that stop than a place that we would want to spend several days.

Now obviously, this is my (and Jen's) very subjective opinion, and yes, you should see Byron Bay and build your own opinion.

Where to stay in Byron Bay? There are two Holiday Parks in Byron Bay, and we recommend you stay at the Reflections Holiday Parks Clarkes Beach a little bit away from the bustle of downtown and right next to the beach. You must absolutely book in advance and be prepared for hefty prices starting at AU$69 per night.

Keep reading if you are looking for a calmer alternative to Byron or if Byron is completely booked out.

Brunswick - The Unknown Surprise

Brunswick is an unknown gem. I am pretty sure you have stumbled over those hidden gems while exploring more famous areas. Well, this is what happened to us with Brunswick, and you need to know about this. So don't end your trip at Byron Bay, make sure to keep on exploring 😉.

How did we discover Brunswick?

On our 18-day road trip from Melbourne to Brisbane, we had more or less planned the first half of the trip and had left the second half after Sydney open to adventure. What we didn't know and didn't research (please don't repeat our mistakes) was that only two days after the Easter weekend, there was another national holiday in Australia called Anzac Day to commemorate the troops of Australia and New Zealand.

Heading to the anyways crowded Byron Bay on a national holiday without a reservation is not the smartest thing to do, yet allows room for unexpected events.

While calling up the campgrounds in and around Byron Bay, I was, of course, told off, either sold out or two nights minimum with each night at AU$120. I was outraged and went back to my fool-proof method of finding campgrounds anywhere for a much larger radius than just Byron Bay.

That is how I discovered the Reflections Parks in Brunswick, only 20-minutes north from Byron Bay. Specifically the Reflections Holiday Parks Terrace Reserve.

What makes it so special?

This was the perfect campground for us. A lot quieter than Byron, cheaper of course, and located right next to a river with a footbridge to the beach, where we took a dip in the morning.

We could easily stroll through the small town and discovered the Hotel Brunswick with an Australian-style beer garden and live music. I think I have mentioned before that we are suckers for live music, so of course, we got stuck here for the evening, having a very local experience.

In case you have an extra day, an excellent place for spending the night is between Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay. The Red Cliff, Grey Cliff, and Lake Arangan Campgrounds are close to each other and directly located at the beach or river. They also offer the opportunity to spot many wild kangaroos (similar to Pebbly Beach south of Sydney). There is no reservation necessary, and the campground is relatively cheap (AU$12 per person). You can choose a free spot and enjoy the surrounding nature.

So here we are, four full days packed with coastal and hinterland adventures between Sydney and Byron Bay (and beyond 😇). I hope you enjoyed the journey and that you have found some valuable tips for your own road trip.

What has been your favorite stop on this stretch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!