A popular nSW road trip itinerary for beginners
A Canberra to Byron Bay road trip is a great option for those who want to see a popular part of the East Coast of Australia. New South Wales, or NSW, is an East Coast state that has a lot of gems. This trip will include the capital of Australia, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the most famous city of Australia (Sydney), and one of the most iconic coastal towns in all of Australia (Byron Bay). But if that doesn’t sound good enough, don’t worry – there are lots of hidden gems along the way.
How far is it from Canberra to Byron Bay?
It is quite the distance as it is just over 1000 km of driving from Canberra and Byron Bay, however if you want to stop at Jervis bay you should expect about 1200km of driving. That means that for this 10 day trip, you’ll be spending about 1.5-2 hours driving each day with a day off from driving on day 5.
What you will find here
This is a 10 day nsw road trip itinerary from Canberra to Byron Bay based on the assumption that you will have a car/campervan to get around. I’ve included varied accommodation, as when I did my road trip I stayed at campgrounds, holiday parks, and motels depending on the location. You, of course, can mix and match (or skip them altogether) depending on the amount of time you have and your willingness to drive long distances at a time.
A word of caution for those booking campgrounds – all NSW campgrounds need to be booked in advance and are incredibly popular, so ensure you give yourself enough time to secure a booking. I recommend booking at least 3 months in advance, possibly more if it falls on an Australian holiday. For each day, I’ll include the approximate driving time, what to see, and where to stay. I hope it inspires you to do a NSW coastal road trip!
Day 1: Canberra
Driving time: 0.5 hours approx if you stay at a campground.
You will probably want to spend the day exploring Canberra. Make sure while you’re in Canberra you visit The Parliament House and the National Gallery. There are also a few really good vegan spots in Canberra, such as The Fish Shack which has vegan fish n’ chips on offer (an Australian staple dish). Make sure you stock up in Canberra so that you have enough supplies to cover you for Day 2 such as food and water.
Where to stay in Canberra
Hyatt Hotel in Canberra (if you don’t have your campervan yet) or Cotter Campground (if you have your campervan).
Day 2: Canberra to Pretty Beach
Driving time: 2.5 hours approx.
When you’ve seen enough of Canberra, head out towards Pretty Beach. Pretty Beach is famous for being… um, a pretty beach? But in all seriousness, this is a hidden gem, only really visited by locals and families looking for a quiet spot for a family holiday. There are a cluster of gorgeous beaches in this area including Island Beach and Singing Stones Beach as well as the Murramarang South Coast Walk to keep you busy.
Where to stay in pretty beach
Day 3: Pretty Beach to Jervis Bay
Driving time: 1.5 hours approx.
The next day head over to Jervis Bay. This area is world famous, and has the best beaches in Australia. You will need to drive and walk to see most of the goodies. I recommend Iluka Beach and Hyams Beach, the latter being named in the top 10 best beaches in the world. You’ll find white sand, clear waters, and plenty of space to find your own little quiet spot away from the world.
When you’re done, head over to Huskisson Beach which has a township and you’ll be able to grab food and find accommodation.
Where to stay in Jervis Bay
Day 4: Jervis Bay to Sydney
Driving time: 3 hours approx.
This day will take you via the Grand Pacific Drive. I recommend stopping at Sea Cliff Bridge Lookout for the views, The Scarborough Hotel for a meal, and Cathedral Rocks for sunrise if you’re feeling up for it. Since you’ll be staying in Sydney, I recommend getting accommodation near the city where you can easily park your campervan and enjoy a good shower. I stayed at the Meriton Suites in Chatswood which I loved because they have parking and it is easy to get to by car as you bypass driving right in the city centre. It is still very connected and easy to get around to see all the sights.
Where to stay in Sydney
Day 5: Sydney
Driving time: 0 hours (yay!)
Spend your day in Sydney, soaking up all that Sydney has to offer. Maybe you want to head over to Bondi Beach, explore the Botanical Gardens, or visit the Opera House? I’ve been to all of these and highly recommend them! Like your visit to Canberra, make sure you stock up on all the goodies at the supermarket like non-perishable food and water.
Where to stay in Sydney
Day 6: Sydney to Shoal Bay
Driving time: 3 hours approx.
In picture-perfect Shoal Bay you’ll definitely want to check out Tomaree Head Summit walk and Zenith Beach. These spots are really amazing and the perfect spot to spend the day in a sleepy holiday town popular for boat enthusiasts and dolphin spotters. If you think that isn’t enough to keep you occupied, you can take a detour to Emerald Pool in the morning, but be aware it takes about 3-4 hours.
Where to stay in Shoal Bay
Shoal Bay Holiday Park (they have glamping tents, too!)
Day 7: Shoal Bay to Crowdy Bay
Driving time: 2.5 hours approx.
Crowdy Bay is a massive national park in New South Wales, with plenty to see and do. I recommend doing the Diamond Head Loop walk which will take you along the coast line. This is a day you’ll spend in complete nature, doing fun things like whale spotting, bird watching, and hanging out with the kangaroos.
Where to stay in Crowdy Bay
Day 8: Crowdy Bay to Smoky Cape
Driving time: 2 hours approx.
Today you’ll be going through Port Macquarie and over to Hat Head National Park. I recommend stopping in Port Macquarie to grab some essentials and lunch. While you’re there, I highly recommend checking out Koala Conservation Hospital Port Macquarie, which is a Koala Conservation Hospital where you can learn about koalas and see a few koala friends that are sadly not able to be returned to the wild. At Smoky Cape, I recommend doing the walk to Smoky Cape Lighthouse where you find some really spectacular views that I feel are really some of Australia’s best-kept secrets!
Where to stay in Smoky Cape
Day 9: Smoky Cape to Yuraygir National Park
Driving time: 2.5 hours approx.
This drive will take you through Coffs Harbour, where we stopped for lunch but otherwise had no other reason to stay. There are a whole bunch of beaches along this stretch but honestly they’re kind of all the same. Feel free to stop at one, though if you feel like it.
What you really want to do in my opinion is get to Yuraygir National Park. Yuraygir National Park is the biggest national park in NSW, so there are plenty of walks and things to see along the coast here. This area is far more remote and interesting in my opinion. You’ll be able to spot things like diamond python, bearded dragon and goanna as well as whales and a range of native birds. I highly recommend staying at the campground in Yuraygir as the light pollution is really low here so the skies at night are gorgeous.
Where to stay in Yuraygir National Park
Day 10: Yuraygir National Park to Byron Bay
Driving time: 2 hours approx.
You’ll want to head straight over to Byron Bay after enjoying the sounds of nature waking up in the morning. Drive on over to Byron Bay, where you can explore the shops and get to know a little about this part of Australian culture. Find a coffee shop where you can people-watch as you ponder how this particular breed of these wealthy wellness fanatic, conspiracy-spouting hippies came to be.
Where to stay in Byron Bay
Lord Byron (includes parking)
VERDICT
Is a roadtrip to Byron Bay worth it?
I think so, definitely. It is a really easy drive from Canberra via Sydney to Byron Bay so if you’re new to road trips it shouldn’t be too daunting. You’ll be able to see so many amazing views and animals along the way while learning a lot about Australia.
Did this article speak to you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’re on Instagram, you can find me over here: @apicturesquelife so feel free to reach out or use #apicturesquelife and I’d be happy to connect!