Sydney to Brisbane by car

Hello, picking up from Hertz on William St and then connecting to the bridge / tunnel over to the otherside is super easy.

I also recommend the journey from Calga up to Wollombi, it is an amazing road - roughly 200 years old in parts and the convict built elements are still very visible and signposted. Indeed stop in Wollombi for a coffee, sandwich. You could then keep going up towards Muswellbrook, gorgeous Scone and the New England via the Liverpool Range. This is also incredibly scenic and then to Tamworth & Armidale. Head down to the coast (which I think is one of the best pieces of coast line) via the Waterfall Way. Go north to Maclean (worth a short stop and leg stretch to see a lovely living small town) and then to Byron (perhaps stay just south of Byron where it is less crowded). Note traffic is generally highly congested due to poor urban & growth planning. Make a side trip for lunch and gift shopping in Bangalow. From there head north along the Tweed Valley Way (great road) calling into the Tweed Valley Art Gallery - one of the best - compact but has a fantastic Margaret Olley exhibition and then on to the border driving along side the river.

I'm going to second wayoutback here ... and also suggest Wollombi > Scone > Tamworth > Armidale > Waterfall Way (B78) > back to the Pacific Highway (A1) at Raleigh, which is where the coast begins to be the "best".

You lose Nelson's Bay with this route, but the Hunter Valley, Tamworth, and crossing the range to Bellingen is well worth it. Plus Nelson's Bay is quite a deviation to the coast, and all the way back again the next day.

Bangalow (above Byron Bay) has a great market (and feels like a North Californian or Oregon alternative town - Mt Shasta say). And as noted, from Byron Bay through to Broadbeach there is a lot of development, and a lot of traffic, but also a lot of coastal / riverine scenery and greenery.

A lot of it is like this ... I love the place.

Thanks a lot for all the recommendations guys! I think this is what we'll do:

15th - 10am rental car, Wollombi Tavern, winery - stay overnight near Hunter Valley
16th - drive via Scone > Tamworth > Armidale > Waterfall Way (B78) - stay overnight near Coffs Harbour
17th - Coffs Harbour/Byrons Bay - stay overnight at Byrons Bay or Gold Coast
18th - Gold Coast/Lone Pine Koala Reserve - return car
19th - Brisbane downtown - fly out

My only regret is skipping Port Macquarie, looks like a nice town.

How do tourist handle the toll payment? Is the cheapest way via rental car company?

Port Macquarie is nice (big retirement place), however the drive from Newcastle to there is fairly inland, and not hugely scenic. From Coffs onwards it will be better.

Note it is just Byron Bay (and nearly always just called "Byron"). If you stay near Coffs, you can reasonably get to the Gold Coast that night, or overnight Byron if you like the place.

When you enter the Motorways there are signs giving you a toll-free phone number and website - you can contact them and pay in 48 hours or so. Significantly cheaper than having the rental company pay it (they add a fee).

But if you're going up the Newcastle Freeway you won't face any tolls, all the way to Brisbane. I also think the Harbour Bridge / Tunnel is toll-free heading north, but worth checking.

sounds a great trip - yes Port is nice but you can't see everything - the drive you intend will give you a good idea of Oz anyway - enjoy. Just a note staying in the Hunter Valley can be expensive, look for a pub/hostel at places like Cessnock, SIngleton, Musswellbrook as cheapest option.

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