Embark on the Legendary Pacific Coast Drive and experience the ultimate coastal road trip in New South Wales
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Credit: Destination NSW
With countless iconic attractions to visit and beautiful beaches to explore; not forgetting the gastronomical delights that await, going on a trip to Sydney sounds about perfect right now. But what if we told you that it could get even better!
Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
The 820km drive from Sydney to Byron Bay is one of the most stunning road trips in New South Wales. The Legendary Pacific Coast drive winds through the Central Coast, Port Stephens, Port Macquarie and ends at Byron Bay. Expect spectacular scenery; from rolling green hinterland dotted with macadamia farms and banana plantations, to rugged national parks, great surf beaches and maybe a whale or two (whale watching season is between May - November).
A perfect road trip requires the perfect ride
Before embarking on your trip, you’ll first need some transport that can fit the whole squad! Not only is it cheaper and more convenient to rent a car, but you can also determine your own schedule, making you the captain of this trip!
Day 1: Sydney & Coogee
Coogee Beach, Coogee, Credit: Destination NSW
Your epic journey starts in Sydney, a vibrant coastal city that’s home to a multitude of world-renowned landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge! You’ve got to go cafe hopping in Sydney - spots that you’ve definitely got to check out are The Grounds of Alexandria, The Goodsline cafe and local favourite, bills!
The Sydney Opera House Guided Walking Tour
While in Sydney, don’t miss exploring the Sydney Opera House, an Australian icon and UNESCO World Heritage site! On a 1hr guided walking tour, you’ll learn how this 20th-century architectural masterpiece was built and other cool facts about it, like how there are more than 1-million roof tiles covering the building, and that it was opened by the Queen of England!
Sydney Harbour Bar Cruise
Cruise along Sydney Harbour and enjoy the sights of iconic landmarks up close, all whilst catching up with your road trip buddies, making final travel plans, sipping on cocktails and enjoying a tapas-style menu!
SkyFeast at Sydney Tower
Have a breathtaking view of Sydney whilst dining at SkyFeast
There’s no better way to see all of Sydney whilst enjoying a delicious meal at SkyFeast, a restaurant on the 82nd floor of Sydney Tower! Did we mention that it’s unlimited dining; so you better come with your stomach prepared to indulge in a feast.
#KlookTip: If you want to make sure you’ll have the best views of the city, you can book a package with a window guarantee.
Coogee to Bondi Walk
Coastal walk, Bondi, Credit: Hamilton Lund; Destination NSW
The 6km Coogee to Bondi Walk passes by parks, clifftops, bays, ocean pools and even a spectacular cliffside cemetery. This gorgeous walk is a great way to get a sweat in and chat with your road trip buddies while listening to the sound of the waves.
Take a short break at the Coogee Pavilion and replenish your energy with some of the freshest seafood and perfectly baked wood-fired pizzas around! If you’re visiting during whale watching season, you might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these majestic animals from the rooftop!
Day 2: Sydney to the Blue Mountains
Sunset, Wollemi National Park, Credit: Destination NSW
On Day 2 of your trip to Byron Bay, pick up your rental car and make your way to the Blue Mountains. Just an hour’s drive from Sydney, you can expect fresh, eucalyptus-scented air, breathtaking views of the forested valleys with their famous blue haze and a wide selection of local eats - enjoy handcrafted chocolates and mulled wine!
Home to various attractions that include the famous sandstone formation, The Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Hanging Rock and the Jamison Valley, start off your journey with the best that mother nature has to offer and take one of the numerous hikes.
Distance: ~60km
Estimated total drive time: ~1hr
Blue Mountains Scenic World
Scenic Skyway, Scenic World, Katoomba, Credit: Destination NSW
When we say that you’ll be able to experience the Blue Mountains from every angle with Scenic World, we’re not kidding! Walk on an elevated boardwalk above a rainforest canopy at the Scenic Walkway. Or descend along a 545m cable into the breathtaking Jamison Valley on the Scenic Cableway.
A thrill awaits you on the Scenic Railway, a passenger railway zipping down to the floor of the verdant valley on the world’s steepest incline passenger train. And finally, take a ride on the Scenic Skyway, a glass-floored cable cart where you’ll have stunning views of the best of the Blue Mountains!
Blue Mountains Stargazing
Evans Lookout, Blue Mountains, Credit: Destination NSW
End the second day of your road trip with stargazing and storytelling. With professional-grade telescopes, you’ll be able to see celestial bodies as close as possible, from the moon’s craters to Saturn’s rings. A local expert guide will help you spot the constellations and stars. Watch the sunset before the stars emerge from the sky for a truly breathtaking experience.
Bonus: Spend your night in a fully furnished treehouse!
Credit: wollemicabins.com.au
Probably the most searched tree house accommodation in the Blue Mountains, this majestic secret treehouse sits amidst 600 acres of land, surrounded by lush greenery, cliffs, and canyons.
Inside the tree house you’ll find a spa, fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows (for that incredible view!), and a kitchenette. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind, unique experience, then this treehouse is probably the best accommodation you’ll ever book!
Day 3 & 4: The Blue Mountains to Port Stephens
Tomaree Head Summit, Port Stephens, Credit: Destination NSW
From the Blue Mountains, take a 3hr drive north to Port Stephens, known as the dolphin capital of Australia with up to 120 dolphins living within the bay, and also famous for immense sand dunes, crystal clear waterways and exquisite seafood.
Distance: ~240km
Estimated total drive time: ~3hr
Dolphin Watch Cruise in Port Stephens
See Port Stephens’ dolphins in their natural habitat as you cruise around the Port Stephens bay. Watch and listen as your captain provides a lively commentary on the surrounding inlets, stunning headlands, waterways and cute bottlenose dolphins!
Port Stephens Beach Tour and Sandboarding Experience
The Stockton Bight Sand Dunes in Port Stephens need to be experienced to be believed! At 32km, they are the longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere. Drive up the epic sand dunes and feel the breeze as you sandboard down the smooth and silky sand!
Oakvale Wildlife Park
Oakvale Wildlife Park, Salt Ash, Credit: Destination Port Stephens
Oakvale Wildlife Park is the home to up to 100 species of free-roaming animals such as kangaroos, koalas, rabbits more! You can pet and feed these furry friends with the help of the park rangers and go on a tractor ride around the park! If you’re bringing little ones, they’ll definitely enjoy taking a dip at the Splash Bay Water Park.
Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters
Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay, Credit: Destination NSW
After playing with your furry friends, it’s time to hang out with sharks and rays at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters! Interact with sharks and rays of various species without the barriers of an aquarium. If you want a full-blown aquatic experience, you can opt for a gold pass that lets you get into the water with them.
Day 5: Port Stephens to Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, Port Macquarie, Image by Destination NSW
After your two-day escapade in Port Stephens, drive 3hr north to Port Macquarie, home to beaches with turquoise waters and verdant surrounding hinterlands. Visit the largest remaining coastal rainforest at Sea Acres National Park and the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital!
Distance: ~250km
Estimated total drive time: ~3hr
The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
Koala Hospital, Port Macquarie, Credit: Destination NSW
At the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital you can support the incredible work of wildlife carers while cooing over these furry cuties. The Koala Hospital rehabilitates sick and injured koalas to then release them back into the wild.
Day 6: Port Macquarie to Byron Bay
Main Beach, Byron Bay, Credit: Destination NSW
It’s time to gear up for a 4hr drive to Byron Bay, your final stop on the Legendary Pacific Coast drive! Byron Bay is a bustling beach town of bohemian communities, nature-loving celebrities, shopping, luxurious boutique stays, live music and hip dining!
Despite the top-notch paddock to plate dining scene, the town’s true stars are its beaches. The magical Wategos beach is overseen by the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse. Visit Little Wategos, Australia’s easternmost beach only accessible by foot. Surfers can’t go past The Pass, which has an epic right-hand point break. Or, to be close to the centre of Byron and the heart of the action, hit up the patrolled Main Beach.
Distance: ~390km
Estimated total drive time: 4hr
Byron Bay Tandem Skydive Experience
Are you brave enough to leap from a plane 15,000ft in the air? Well, the tandem skydive experience and the stunning coastal views of Byron Bay would definitely be worth all the jitters! our experienced diving partner will be with you from air to land, so you can enjoy the adrenaline rush, worry free!
Byron Bay Surf Lesson
Slow down from the adrenaline-pumping skydive by chilling by the beach and going for a surf lesson. Learn the basic moves on the sand from the masters before you hit the waves, and if there’s just one take away from this experience, it’s just to have fun!
Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk
Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay, Credits: Destination NSW
End your trip with a majestic 2km walk to the Cape Byron lighthouse to catch the glorious sunrise from the most easterly point of Australia! The journey is just as beautiful as the destination, as the trail is surrounded by verdant greens and ocean views.
You can either fly back to Sydney directly from Byron Bay, leaving your car rental in Byron Bay, or take the Legendary Coast Drive back to Sydney. The Legendary Pacific Drive concludes in the beautiful Byron Bay region, but the drive back is a good opportunity to explore attractions and detours you may have missed along the way.
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