Sydney & the Gold Coast

Sydney and the Gold Coast

Discover the delights of Sydney before heading to the stunning beaches and beautiful national parks of the glittering Gold Coast. The spectacular Pacific Coast Touring Route stretches all the way from Sydney to Brisbane. En route you can weave your way through the wine growing regions of the Hunter Valley, stop off at laid-back beach resorts such as Byron Bay and make detours to the World Heritage sites of Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef. This truly is a stunning Australian road trip with a wealth of attractions and striking scenery from start to finish.

Our self-drive itineraries are completely flexible – so if you decide you would like to spend a little longer somewhere or, perhaps, upgrade your accommodation, we can easily adapt the itinerary to suit your needs. Just pop into your local shop and one of our Australia specialists will be able to tailor-make your perfect holiday.

What’s Included

• Return flights.
• 10 nights in hotels and 3 in flight (standard level accommodation).
• 6 days' compact car hire.
• Self-drive kit and maps.

Day 1 - 2: London - Sydney

Day 3 - 6: Sydney

Arrive in Sydney this morning and make your way to your hotel for your 4-night stay.  Sydney is truly a world-class city in every sense of the phrase, and its picturesque harbour setting has few rivals. You’ll instantly recognise the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, but you’ll also discover unparalleled dining, nightlife, shopping and sightseeing opportunities. Explore the neighbourhoods beyond the city centre to discover the ‘real’ Sydney or, if you just want to have some fun, head over to Manly or Bondi and hit the beach.  There are a host of activities to choose from but the best way to really experience the overwhelming beauty of Sydney is to hop on the ferry and see it from the water.
Overnight - Mantra 2 Bond Street Meals - Breakfast

Day 7: Sydney - Hunter Valley (93 miles)

Collect your car and head north across the Sydney Harbour Bridge towards the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s oldest and most important wine regions. You’ll have plenty of time this afternoon to begin your exploration of the region’s many vineyards, an activity which can be enjoyed by car, bicycle or horse-drawn carriage.
Overnight - Hunter Resort Meals - Breakfast

Day 8: Hunter Valley

Enjoy a full day at leisure for further exploration of Hunter Valley’s wineries, or piece together a delicious picnic lunch visiting the local growers and gourmet food producers to buy the ingredients. Don’t miss the chance to visit the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens, and you may even have time to visit the industrial port of Newcastle to explore its historic Victorian architecture.
Overnight - Hunter Resort Meals - Breakfast

Day 9: Hunter Valley - Port Stephens (51 miles)

Travel east to Port Stephens, where the wide bay extends some 25kms inland and its calm waters and numerous coves are ideal for swimming, fishing and watersports. Dolphin cruises are available year-round, or you can relax on Stockton Beach which boasts huge sand dunes.
Overnight - Ibis Styles Port Stephens Meals - Breakfast

Day 10: Port Stephens - Coffs Harbour (252 miles)

This morning, travel north along the Lakes Way, a scenic route through Myall Lakes National Park. Head north past Port Macquarie, which has a lovely setting at the mouth of the Hastings River.  Coffs Harbour marks the start of the sub-tropical northern coast of New South Wales, and the mountains of the Great Dividing Range seem to fall almost directly into the Pacific Ocean.
Overnight - Breakfree Aanuka Resort Meals - Breakfast

Day 11: Coffs Harbour - Byron Bay (155 miles)

Drive inland through Grafton, a graceful old country town on the banks of the Clarence River, before reaching the coast once again at Ballina. Byron Bay is a popular stop on the backpacker and surfing circuits and, if you want to explore, head for the lighthouse on the rocky promontory of Cape Byron, which marks the easternmost point of the Australian mainland.
Overnight - Lord Byron Resort Meals - Breakfast

Day 12: Byron Bay - Surfer's Paradise (70 miles)

The popular holiday playground of the Gold Coast stretches northwards through the resorts of Coolangatta and Broadbeach towards Surfers Paradise. The fantastic beach is a great place to learn to surf, plus there’s shopping, a vibrant nightlife, and nearby theme parks including Warner Bros. Movie World, Dream World, Sea World and Wet ‘n’ Wild.
Overnight - Mantra Sun City Meals - Breakfast

Day 13: Brisbane - London

Head north to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, where your self-drive holiday comes to an end.
Meals - Breakfast