Sydney to Brisbane Coastal Self-Drive
With plenty of time to acquaint yourself with Sydney, one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic cities, you will embark on an amazing coastal self-drive to Brisbane. It’s time to slow down and enjoy all the coastal route has to offer. Don’t just see a destination, feel it!
- Sydney and it’s iconic & historic landmarks
- 4 hour Sydney Harbour lunch cruise
- Hunter Valley wine region including a ‘progressive winemakers’ lunch’
- Beautiful coastal towns including famous Byron Bay.
- Brisbane, the capital of the Sunshine State, Queensland
You will arrive into the most beautiful harbour city in the world, Sydney. As Australia’s largest city, Sydney embraces its harbour, taking the sea and natural waterways to its heart. The grand style of the Sydney Opera House has made the city the landmark of the South Pacific. Sydney, with some 4 million people is the oldest, biggest, and liveliest city in Australia. Sydney’s facilities for sightseeing and holiday activities are unequalled by any other Australian city. As a highlight of this visit, you will enjoy an amazing harbour cruise with lunch, which is certainly a must to for every traveller, and something to tick off your ‘bucket list’.
After plenty of time for you to explore Sydney and the local attractions, including wildlife parks, you will embark on an amazing self-drive to Brisbane. Travelling along Australia’s amazing Pacific Coast, you will discover the renowned Hunter Valley wine region. Only a couple of hours north of Sydney, the broad, fertile Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine producing region and the perfect destination for lovers of fine food and wines, country air, and historic towns and villages. There are over 50 wineries here, and most are open to the public for tastings each day: you’ll find some of Australia’s best-known labels including Rothbury Estate, Lindemans, McWilliams and Wyndham Estate and a marvellous range of fine reds, whites and sparkling wines.
Continuing along the majestic coastline with visits to the nice seaside towns of Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour; both known for its friendly relaxed atmosphere, gorgeous weather and long sandy beaches. Coffs is the home of the ‘Big Banana’; famous for its quirky oversized replica banana to celebrate the region being one of the biggest banana producers in Australia.
The next stop on this journey is Byron Bay, and there are only a few towns in Australia with a more contradictory identity than Byron Bay. On one hand it has, historically, been associated with the alternative lifestyle movement of the 1970s and seen as a kind of interesting hippie retreat in northern NSW. On another level it has been a very upmarket get-away-from-it-all retreat for wealthy southerners. Home to Hollywood megastar Chris Hemsworth, it’s certainly a must stop location that offers great food, accommodation and a relaxed atmosphere.
From Byron Bay, clients will meander their way north, crossing from New South Wales to the Sunshine State of Queensland towards their final stop of Brisbane. Known by the locals as ‘Brisvegas’, Brisbane is Australia’s largest city in the sub-tropics, enjoying an enviable climate of hot, brilliant summers and clear, mild winters that make it the ideal destination for visitors all year round. While Brisbane has all the facilities of a modern city it retains a friendly, easier pace of life, surrounded by parks, gardens and beaches.
Exploring the city of Sydney
G’Day and welcome to Australia! Upon arrival at Sydney International Airport, you will be met by your personalised chauffeur who will take you to your hotel for the next 3 nights.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, exploring Australia’s largest and most iconic city. Sydney embraces its harbour, taking the sea and natural waterways to its heart. The grand style of the Sydney Opera House has made the city the landmark of the South Pacific. Sydney, with some 4 million people is the oldest, biggest, and liveliest city in Australia.
The next day you will enjoy an amazing Sydney Harbour luncheon cruise. This unique, luxury four-hour cruise experience is will tick a key item off the bucket list! Enjoy the company of a small group on this beautiful 52-foot motor yacht. Your captain and host will share with you the rich history of Sydney, while you sit back and enjoy the sites of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and explore secluded bays and coves.
Includes: 3 Course BBQ Lunch, beer, wine & soft drinks
Spend your last day at leisure in Sydney
Exclusive Accommodation Options
Spicers Potts Point
The Old Clare
West Hotel
Comfort Accommodation Options
Radisson Blu
Vibe Sydney
Amora Hotel
Prime Accommodation Options
Arts Hotel
Veriu Central
Travelodge Sydney
This morning you will pick up your rental vehicle from Sydney downtown and depart for the Hunter Valley wine region. Enjoy the great scenery that New South Wales has to offer as you head to the wine region of the Hunter Valley. The neat, rolling vineyards of Pokolbin are home to some of Australia’s most famous wineries and restaurants. There are over 70 wineries welcoming visitors, each with its own character. Some of the scenic backroads lead to delightful restaurants with culinary treasures, served with plenty of Hunter hospitality. You can tour the wineries and restaurants by horse and carriage, Harley Davidson Motorcycle, bicycle, horse, or your own car. You can even soar high over the patterned fields in a hot air balloon. You will check in to your hotel, that will be your base for the next 3 nights, to unwind and enjoy all this region has to offer.
The next day in Hunter Valley enjoy a morning of relaxing, before being picked up shortly before midday for your progressive winemakers’ lunch, which offers an exquisite food and wine matching experience. You will be sampling the regions finest wines and cheeses as well as other local produce. This is a small group tour, that offers an amazing experience with a light-hearted approach. Return in the early evening, where you are on your own arrangements.
On your final day in Hunter Valley you are free to explore at your leisure.
Exclusive Accommodation Options
Spicers Vineyard
Chateau Elan
Comfort Accommodation Options
Voco Kirkton Park Hotel
Spicers Guest House
Prime Accommodation Options
Leisure Inn Pokolbin
Hunter Resort
Depart the Hunter Valley and continue your journey to the picturesque seaside town of Port Macquarie, where you will spend 3 nights. It has been stated that Port Macquarie has the most ideal climate in Australia. It is the centre of a rich farming valley, producing dairy products, timber, oysters, fish and sugar. Originally settled as a place for convicts in 1821, ‘Port’ as it is known, fortunately now known for its relaxed lifestyle and beautiful beaches.
Enjoy the next two days of relaxing in Port Macquarie. Walk along the breakwall, that runs along the mouth of the Hastings River from the Town Green to Town Beach, admiring the “rock art” left by previous holidaymakers. It’s a fantastic spot to see dolphins, cast a fishing line or watch the sun go down with an ice-cream.
For those looking to get a little closer to nature, take a tour of the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie. Walk around the grounds where sick Koalas are treated and recuperating from injuries, such as car accidents and dog attacks. Learn how local volunteers help to protect and save one of Australia’s cutest animals.
Exclusive Accommodation Options
Sails Resort
Mantra The Observatory Hotel
Telegraph Retreat Cottages
Comfort Accommodation Options
Sails Resort
Mantra The Observatory Hotel
Telegraph Retreat Cottages
Prime Accommodation Options
Country Comfort Waters Edge
Rydges Port Macquarie
Depart Port Macquarie and continue your way north to Coffs Harbour and the small beachside township of Emerald Beach. Coff’s Harbour is a tourist resort in the centre of a tropical fruit-growing area. The name of the town was originally Korff’s Harbour after Captain John Korff, who sheltered here in 1847 and liked the place so much he opened a store in the main street. The fact that it is the capital of a major fruit growing area is commemorated by the Big Banana theme park.
Your accommodation in Emerald Beach is nestled between the bush and beach, where the seaside play meets the nature lover. This is a place to relax and let the world go by.
Spend the next 2 days in Coffs Harbour (Emerald Beach), relax and enjoy your stay for the next two days. Swim, stroll along the beach or relax with a book.
Exclusive Accommodation
Ramada Resort
Comfort Accommodation
Comfort Inn Premier
Prime Accommodation
Discovery Park Emerald Beach
Follow the Pacific Highway north until you reach Byron Bay, where you will stay for 3 nights. This northern stretch of New South Wales contains some of the most beautiful natural areas in Australia. Byron Bay is the most easterly point on the Australian continent, and home to many artists. The Cape Byron Lighthouse, Australia’s most powerful beacon, dominates Byron Bay.You will have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Known simply as ‘Byron’ by the locals, the next two days are free for your enjoyment to soak in all this coastal paradise has to offer. There can be few towns in Australia with a more contradictory identity than Byron Bay. On one hand it has, historically, been associated with the alternative lifestyle movement of the 1970s and seen as a kind of interesting hippie retreat in northern NSW. On the other hand, famous and wealthy Australians also call this place home and it has become an upmarket get-away-from-it-all retreat.
Either way, some time in Byron is good for the soul.
Exclusive & Comfort Accommodation Options
Elements of Byron
Byron at Byron
Prime Accommodation Options
Breakfree Eco Beach Resort
Byron Bay Hotel & Apartments
Lord Byron Resort
Leaving Byron Bay join the Highway and continue north onto Brisbane, where you will enjoy 3 nights.
Brisbane, the City of Sun Days, is the capital of Queensland. The compact city centre is built along the banks of the Brisbane River, making it easy to explore on foot. Follow the golden arrows set into the footpath for a walking tour of Brisbane’s remaining early buildings, notably the Mansions and Harris Terrace, Old Government House, Parliament House, The Old Windmill and Observatory on Wickham Terrace.
Spent the next 2 days in Brisbane at leisure to enjoy Australia’s third largest city that is known for having an almost perfect year-round climate, that rarely dips below 20 degrees. With nearly 300 days of sunshine a year, it is the perfect city to end your Australian coastal adventure.
Depart Brisbane on the last day and return your rental vehicle to the airport and fly back to the UK.
Exclusive Accommodation Options
The Calile
Emporium Hotel South Bank
Spicers Balfour
Comfort Accommodation Options
Adina Apartment Hotel
Pacific Hotel Brisbane
Tryp Brisbane
Prime Accommodation Options
Ibis Styles
Next Hotel
Ibis Brisbane
Dates are flexible so please make an enquiry and tell us a range of dates you are considering so we can check availability.
- 18 nights accommodation only
- 16 day Hertz Car Hire with max cover insurance (zero excess)
- Private Arrival Transfer
- 4 hour small group lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour
- Progressive Winemakers lunch in the Hunter Valley
- Breakfast; only where specified on the accommodation grid
- Digital itinerary with detailed day to day descriptions with integrated app
- Meals, unless otherwise specified
- National Park Fees
- Toll Roads, Fuel & additional personal costs
- International & Domestic Flights
Suitable for ages 18 to 80
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