Aussie Road Trip – itinerary advice/suggestions?
February 13th, 2010 | by admin |Hubby and I are going to be in Redcliffe (near Brisbane) from December 21st until January 2nd. However, we are there to visit family, so chances of doing any real sight-seeing will have to wait until December 26th. We want to do a road trip along that coast but we’d like to cover Noosa Heads (and potentially anything in between) and Byron Bay (and anything in between). We thought on Dec 26th or 27th, we’d drive up 2 hours to Noosa Heads, check it out, and drive back. Then on 27th or 28th, head south, and arrange accommodation accordingly. Any ideas/suggstions on must-see places along that stretch of road? From Noosa Heads, down to Byron Bay? And what sort of time frame we should be looking at? We’re hoping to spend New Year’s Eve in Brisbane/Redcliffe with our family, so I guess we’ll only have 26th – 30th. How much can we do in that short time. We’ll have a car and will be driving everywhere. Thanks so much for any advice!
Thanks for all your suggestions, but are they doable in 3-4 days?
Hi Aussie, I thought it would be possible to do Redcliffe to Noosa in one day, because I saw on google maps that it’s a 2 hour drive. I thought on the way we could pass Mooloolaba, Kawana Waters, etc… as they’re en-route. If we set off at 7 or 8am, it should be possible, shouldn’t it? Am I being unrealistic? Thanks for your input!
The distance between Noosa Heads and Byron Bay is only 300km, not much to drive. You only have a limited time to discover places, but with a good planning it is doable, easily.
From north to south, after Noosa which is a beautiful place (+ wild koalas in the national park) drop into Eumundi, particularly if it’s Saturday, they have famous markets. Further south theres a Ginger factory near Yandina; the Big Pineapple in Nambour; Ettamogah Pub and Australia Zoo (if you get time turn into Glasshouse mountains but i doubt you will). That should be doable in one day.
South of Brisbane, on the Gold Coast are the famous theme parks however they are not very cheap so they are not worth the price unless you have half a day to spend in each. I would pick one or max two and also visit Surfers Paradise (great beach, restaurants, shopping, nightlife). That’s one day, or two.
South of the Gold Coast, Byron Bay is only a short trip away and you could spend a lot of time there, but you will see it all in one day.
6 Responses to “Aussie Road Trip – itinerary advice/suggestions?”
By 16 seconds in on Feb 13, 2010 | Reply
Good first aid kit – torch – GPS – mobile phone – red flares – tell people you know the departure and destination and a detailed route…. and keep to it.
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By essdee on Feb 13, 2010 | Reply
Sorry, no suggestions, as I was further north – Mission beach etc – but just to say how envious I am! Hope you have a wonderful trip – I am sooo jealous… Another time maybe for me
Good luck
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By Aussie on Feb 13, 2010 | Reply
To cover all of the Sunshine Coast in a day is a big ask…maybe you could check out Noosa & the coastline down as far as the Maroochy Airport & then divert across to Nambour & visit the hinterland…beautiful scenery around Mapleton , Flaxton , Montville & Maleny & then down the road to Landsborough where you could see the Australia Zoo…
Heading south , you will be passing the Gold Coast …theme parks , beaches , sun & surf ! Also you have Fleays Wildlife sanctuary…a detour to see the hippy community of Nimbin is worth a laugh …it’s like a ‘ 70s style time warp ! Some of the best beaches in the country are on that strip of coastline so it all depends what interests you…it will be peak holiday season so everywhere will be crowded .
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J…
By jennifer h on Feb 13, 2010 | Reply
The Coastal route through mooloolaba to Noosa is nice . It’s well spread out but divert down to the waterfronts. then on the way back take an inland route through the Glass mountains Maleny ,Monteville areas are beautiful you will go by Australia Zoo that way . Thats worth a look when going South come off on exit 63 I think it is which says Helensvale South then this road will take you straight down to the Broadwater You are now on the GoldCoast highway and follow this road diverting into some of the beaches through surfers , Burleigh and straight down to coolangatta where you can get back on the motorway to Byron Bay
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By oldemystic on Feb 13, 2010 | Reply
Couldn’t help but make a comment on ‘16 seconds’ answer above:
"Good first aid kit – torch – GPS – mobile phone – red flares – tell people you know the departure and destination and a detailed route…. and keep to it."
Wow. He/she must think that the Sunshine & Gold Coasts are similar to the back o’ Bourke. The drive from eg Noosa to Byron Bay is pretty much like suburbia. Definitely no GPS or red flares needed.
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By OzGirl on Feb 13, 2010 | Reply
The distance between Noosa Heads and Byron Bay is only 300km, not much to drive. You only have a limited time to discover places, but with a good planning it is doable, easily.
From north to south, after Noosa which is a beautiful place (+ wild koalas in the national park) drop into Eumundi, particularly if it’s Saturday, they have famous markets. Further south theres a Ginger factory near Yandina; the Big Pineapple in Nambour; Ettamogah Pub and Australia Zoo (if you get time turn into Glasshouse mountains but i doubt you will). That should be doable in one day.
South of Brisbane, on the Gold Coast are the famous theme parks however they are not very cheap so they are not worth the price unless you have half a day to spend in each. I would pick one or max two and also visit Surfers Paradise (great beach, restaurants, shopping, nightlife). That’s one day, or two.
South of the Gold Coast, Byron Bay is only a short trip away and you could spend a lot of time there, but you will see it all in one day.
References :
Sunshine Coast (Brisbane – Noosa) http://www.gondwananet.com/australia-facts-queensland-sunshine-coast.html
Gold Coast http://www.gondwananet.com/australia-facts-queensland-gold-coast.html
Byron Bay http://www.gondwananet.com/australia-facts-newsouthwales-byron-bay.html