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Best of New South Wales
6 day Sydney to Brisbane along the Pacific Coast

One of Australia's iconic drives up the dazzling east coast exploring the highlights of New South Wales - its boutique wineries, stunning beaches, delightful hinterland and relaxed lifestyle. The further north you travel towards Queensland, the more tropical it gets. Once over the border you’ll have time to spend on the Gold Coast, Australia's top holiday spot, before finishing up at the sunshine state capital, Brisbane.

Day 1 Sydney to the Hunter Valley
99 miles 2½ hours
Head north across the Harbour Bridge, pass through the northern suburbs of Sydney before emerging into countryside along the F1 Freeway. Exit at Cessnock and you’ll be amid the vineyards of the Hunter Valley. Overnight at the Hunter Resort (Standard) or Peppers Guest House (Superior).

 
The Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine-producing region, offering over 80 boutique and world renowned vineyards. Winery tours are plentiful and vary from simple guided tours for visitors arriving at the vineyard door, to tours by horse drawn carriages or chauffeur driven limo! To accompany the fine wines, there are many gourmet restaurants throughout the region, plus there’s a wealth of outdoor activities to enjoy, including golf, horse riding, walking, and hot air ballooning.

2 hour Hunter Valley Wine School from £14.


Day 2 Hunter Valley to Port Stephens
76 miles 1½ hours
Depart Cessnock and head northeast towards the coast. Port Stephens is a popular weekend destination for Sydneysiders with a charming horseshoe bay and calm clear waters where you can join a dolphin cruise to watch these playful creatures skitting across the bow of the craft. During the whale-watching season (June to November) you might spot a pod of whales swimming up the coastline. Yacht charters, fishing and sea kayaking are all available - plus the latest attraction: quad biking on the impressive sand dunes at Stockton Beach. Overnight at Salamander Shores (Standard) or Peppers Anchorage (Superior).



 
Peppers Anchorage in Port Stephens, where you can experience fantastic seaviews from your private balcony/verandah. Upgrade on the standard option for £30 per person.


 
Sand-boarding at Stockton Sands Dunes, near Port Stephens, from £9.


Day 3 Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour
280 miles 6 hours
Depart Port Stephens and take the Pacific Highway northbound. Just after Bulahdelah you have the option to take a much more scenic coastal detour to Forster and Tuncarry - renowned for its great beaches and fishing - before rejoining the Pacific Highway before Taree. Continue on via Port Macquarie - lovely beaches and surrounding countryside - before arriving at Coffs Harbour to stop for the night. Coffs Harbour is a popular beachside resort with a backdrop of high mountains, lush rainforests and steep banana plantations. Overnight at Pelican Beach Resort (Standard) or Novotel Pacific Bay (Superior).



 
Skywalk, a 70-m suspended walkway over the upper storey of rainforest at Dorrigo National Park, 30km from Coffs Harbour.


Day 4 Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour
205 miles 4½ hours
Drive through some of the most beautiful scenery in New South Wales. At Ballina, leave the Pacific Highway and travel along the coast road through the pretty resort town of Lennox Head, to reach Byron Bay, the most easterly point of Australia and home to every alternative lifestyle and culture. Blessed with a benign year-round subtropical climate with high summer temperatures cooled by an offshore breeze, Byron is the perfect place to ‘chill out’ and is particularly popular with surfers. Bodysurfers and boogie boarders head for Watego’s Beach, with its white sands, crystal waters and world renowned break. Leaving Byron Bay, rejoin the Pacific Highway and travel via Brunswick Heads and Murwillumbah, crossing the NSW/Queensland border at the twin border towns of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta. Overnight for 2 nights at Oaks Calypso Plaza (Standard and Superior).


Day 5 Coolangatta, The Gold Coast
Take a break from driving with a full day at leisure. Visit one of the many theme parks, or relax on the beach. The Gold Coast region is the tourist capital of Australia. And no wonder. With an average of more than 300 days of sunshine per year, some of the best surfing and swimming beaches in Australia, watched over by the largest body of lifesavers in the country, many exciting theme parks, and a lush hinterland of national parks, mountain hideaways and spectacular views, you’ll never be stuck for entertainment. Visit Movie World for insights into movie-making, stunts and pyrotechnics; Sea World for sea lion and shark shows; Dreamworld for action rides and white tigers on Tiger Island and Wet n Wild for spectacular water rides and twisters.



3 Day Theme Park Pass, from £69.


Day 6 Coolangatta to Brisbane
62 miles 1½ hours
Continue on to Brisbane. Why not book one of our Brisbane hot deals which include your accommodation for 3 nights and day tours from £149 per person, based on 3 star accommodation.

• 5 nights hotel accommodation
• Avis group B car for 6 days
• Travelmood backpack, detailed itinerary, directions and map

 

From price in £ per person, based on twin share
	Twin
Standard	329
Superior	379

Single supplement on request.