The Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route Holidays

Journey north from Sydney to Brisbane along Australia’s Pacific Highway.

NSW has a number of classic road trips to its name, but this iconic northern route is one of our favourites. Taking you from the cosmopolitan clutches of Sydney to culture-rich Brisbane, it’s a beautiful coastal road trip that takes in the sumptuous scenery of Australia’s Pacific Highway.

Meet friendly bottlenose dolphins in Port Stephens – home of the epic Stockton Bight sand dunes and Nelson Bay – and catch a wave in boho-clad Byron Bay. Beyond its first-class surf breaks, this wonderfully mishmashed town promises sigh-worthy sunsets and a gorgeous lighthouse with some of the best views on the headland.

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The Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in The Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route

Anchorage Port Stephens

A stylish waterfront resort that overlooks the beach and marina

Pretty Beach House

An intimate, all-inclusive luxury lodge with glorious views over Broken Bay.

The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa

Hidden within a subtropical rainforest, this tranquil retreat is close to Byron Bay

Get to know the Sydney to the Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT +9 hours

CURRENCY

Australian Dollar

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

Approx. 21 hours (not including stopover time)

RELIGION

Majority Christian

LANGUAGE

Australia has no official language but the majority of people speak English as their first language. Approximately 250 indigenous Australia languages are spoken.

Where is the Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route?
Located on Australia’s east coast, the Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route links Sydney in New South Wales north to Queensland’s capital, Brisbane. The route is just shy of 600 miles of spectacular coastal landscapes.

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Port Stephens
An idyllic natural estuary two and a half hours north of Sydney and less than an hour from the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens is a picturesque area with sandy beaches and bush walking tracks. Nelson Bay is the main ‘hub’, where trips depart to see the resident bottlenose dolphin population, as well as humpback whales from May to October. Koalas are also often spotted here. Port Stephens is also home to the Stockton Bight: 30km of huge sand dunes. Take the Tomaree Head Summit walk for spectacular panoramic views.

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Byron Bay
A coastal town off the Pacific Highway – closer to Brisbane than Sydney – Byron Bay is popular with backpackers, holidaymakers and locals alike. People flock here for the beaches, the surf, and the arts and café culture. Byron Main is the busiest beach, with The Pass being a favourite with surfers. Clarkes Beach is ideal for windsurfing and paragliding, while sheltered Watego’s Beach has free electric barbecues and is a perfect picnic spot. Walk up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse for lovely views.

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Coffs Harbour
A good stopping point between Port Macquarie and Byron Bay, this coastal city sits at the point where the Great Dividing Range meets the Pacific Ocean. The main attractions here are the beaches, the Big Banana theme park and its great water-based activities, ranging from sailing and stand-up paddleboarding to snorkelling and whale-watching tours. The start of the sub-tropical northern coast of New South Wales, this is an area rich in wildlife. Offshore you’ll find the Solitary Islands Marine Park, a diver’s paradise of gorgeous coral reefs and tropical marine life, while in the hinterland behind the city is the nature-rich Dorrigo National Park, a combination of World Heritage-listed rainforests, stunning waterfalls and a skywalk platform that overlooks the canopies and coast.

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The Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route Weather

Sep - Mar

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