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If you are looking for an epic road trip, travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne along Australia’s east coast should be at the top of your list. On this exciting route, you will pass through beautiful landscapes, charming seaside towns, expansive national parks, and countless beaches. You will be sure to enjoy the flexibility and freedom of a camping lifestyle.
To begin your adventure, pick up your campervan in Brisbane, stock up on supplies, and plan your itinerary. To help you get inspired for your trip, this article will tell you about some of the best places to stop along the way
Gold Coast
Your adventure will start with the incredibly scenic drive from Brisbane to Byron through Gold Coast’s beaches and waterways. If you drive straight through to Byron Bay, this leg will take you about two hours, but if you have time, be sure to stop to enjoy the fantastic views along the way.
Byron Bay
Australia’s easternmost town, Byron is famous for its excellent beaches, surfing and scuba diving, and its relaxed atmosphere. With its lush rainforests, stunning surroundings, great restaurants, shops, cafes, and a charming lighthouse, Byron Bay is full of fun things to see and do. If you are looking for an unusual adventure, give kayaking with dolphins a try. For camping, there are plenty of inexpensive camping spots nearby.
Coffs Harbour
As you continue down the coast, you will pass through the coastal city of Coffs Harbour, home to several beaches including Gallows, Park Beach, Diggers, Sapphire, Emerald, and Sawtell. A great place for fishing, whale watching, hiking, and wildlife viewing, Coffs Harbour is known for the Big Banana monument and amusement park and the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Coffs Harbour offers several campsites.
Port Macquarie
As you continue on your journey from Brisbane to Melbourne, you will make your way to Port Macquarie, a water lover’s paradise on the mouth of the Hastings River and the Pacific Ocean. The 15 beaches lining the coast are great for swimming, surfing, sail boarding, fishing, and whale watching. You will also find camel rides, barbecue facilities, and playgrounds on the beaches, and many great campsites nearby.
Newcastle
On the gorgeous three-hour drive from Port Macquarie to Newcastle, you can make stops at Nelson Bay and Anna Bay. Built around a large working harbour, Newcastle is known for its famous university, beaches, parks, surfing, fishing, and ocean baths. It also offers beachside camping and caravan parks making it a great place to stop for a night or two.
Sydney
The drive to the cosmopolitan city of Sydney takes 5-6 hours from Port Macquarie or just 2 hours from Newcastle. Surrounded by beaches, hinterland, world heritage sites, and wineries, Sydney is home to festivals and cultural events, the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Botanical Gardens, and Bondi Beach. If you are looking for a place to camp near Sydney, check out Lane Cove Tourist Park, a large caravan park and campground.
Enjoy the citylife of Sydney on your epic Brisbane to Melbourne road road trip
Wollongong
An idyllic coastal city along the Grand Pacific Drive, Wollongong is known for surfing beaches, rock pools, trails, forests, and cliffs. Attractions include the gorgeous Mount Keira in the Illawarra mountain range, a cultural heritage site for the Wodi Wodi people, the Buddhist Temple of Nan Tien, and Lake Illawarra, a large coastal lagoon. Beachside campgrounds and caravan parks can be found within walking distance to shops and restaurants.
Croajingolong National Park
As your drive along the coast continues, you will pass through several more small coastal towns and national parks. One of the most notable is Croajingolong National Park, which features eucalypt and rainforests and secluded camping spots. Named after the Aboriginal people of the area, this park follows the far-eastern coastline of Victoria and features magnificent wilderness, beaches, diverse flora and fauna, and spectacular views. 450 km east of Melbourne and 500 km south of Sydney, it is accessible from multiple points along the highway.
Beach at Mueller Inlet, Croajingolong National Park | photo: Michael Woodhead (CC BY-SA 2.0)
A great place for bird watching, boating, and fishing, Croajingolong National Park is known for its panoramic views, mountains, sand dunes, and historic light stations at Point Hicks and Gabo Island. With several secluded campgrounds throughout the park, this spot will be a highlight of for your epic road trip. Car-based camping can be found at Wingan Inlet, Shipwreck Creek, Thurra River, Mueller Inlet, and Peachtree Creek. Boat-based camping is located at Tamboon Inlet. Most of the campgrounds have communal picnic facilities and fireplaces.
Final thoughts
Wherever you decide to stop along the way, a road trip from Brisbane to Melbourne will be an experience you will never forget. Australia’s coast, beaches, national parks, and small coastal towns will charm and delight you, making for a great vacation. With so much to explore along Australia’s coast, there will never be a dull moment on this amazing adventure.