13 Day Sydney to Gold Coast Adventure

YOUR DAY

Welcome to Sydney, Australia’s vibrant harbour city!

Upon arrival, you have the option to collect a rental car at the airport and drive into the city, though we recommend a private transfer for a seamless experience. We can arrange for your rental car pick-up when you depart Sydney, or your guide will collect you for the journey ahead.

Once checked in at your inner-city hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure. You might take a relaxing walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens, wander along Darling Harbour, or simply soak in the city’s lively atmosphere. We will provide personalised recommendations on the best places to eat, drink, and explore.

For the evening, consider an unforgettable dinner cruise around the iconic Sydney Opera House, or explore other fantastic dining options the city has to offer.

YOUR DAY

Today you will enjoy a Sydney Harbour Discovery Tour, This tour is done by e-bike and is 3 hours in duration, including 10 10-minute safety induction. This tour commences at 10 am and covers 24 km, finishing at 1 pm. eBikes, helmets and water are provided. You will be riding to the most iconic vantage points in Sydney and discover the beauty of the harbour city and its hidden gems. Sydney Harbour Bike Tours will take you to Woolloomooloo, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, The Opera House, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a visit to the quaint village of Pyrmont.

Other options today include a Jet boat, harbour cruise, whale watching, walking tours and many more, so let us know what you like!

The afternoon is free to explore the city some more, perhaps Darling Harbor or Hyde park

YOUR DAY

Experience the best of Sydney’s wildlife on a single day with a visit to a thrilling whale watching cruise. Set sail on a 3-hour whale watching cruise and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of humpback whales as they migrate along the coast. With expert guides and comfortable amenities, this day trip promises an unforgettable adventure for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

This afternoon, perhaps dive into Sydney’s vibrant market scene with a visit to Paddy’s Market, where you can find everything from souvenirs to fresh produce. After hunting for treasures, make your way to Chinatown for an authentic culinary adventure. Sample street food, visit noodle houses, and explore the bustling streets filled with shops and eateries.

Tonight, you will enjoy the ultimate Bridge climb with a twilight climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (We think doing this at twilight is the best, seeing the sunset across the city!)

YOUR DAY

215km- 2 hours 45 minutes driving approx

Time to leave the metropolis and head north on this incredible journey. We will arrange for you to collect your rental car in the central city, Or arreange a private guide to pick you up and from there its over the spectacular Harbour Bridge. Your first stop could be the picturesque Ku ring gai Chase National Park. The park has significant Aboriginal sites, including ancient red ochre rock paintings and rock engravings, reached via the Red Hands Cave track. We suggest taking a detour to West Head lookout and the 19th-century Barrenjoey Lighthouse which offers spectacular coastal views.

This afternoon upon arriving in Port Stephens you will take a 90 minute cruise to view dolphins in the wild. Port Stephens is home to over 160 resident bottlenose dolphins and that’s they call themselves the Dolphin Capital of Australia!

After disembarking the cruise, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore some of the fantastic lookout spots, short walks and activities in the area. This will all be loaded into your interactive travel app allowing you to maximise the time immersing yourself in the area.

YOUR DAY

249km- 2 hours 50 minutes driving approx

Heading further North on your journey toward Port Macquarie, we suggest making a stop at the incredible Crowdy Bay National Park.

Crowdy Bay National Park offers an abundance of wildflowers, birds and animals, bushwalking, swimming and fishing in 8,022 hectares of coastal plains. The park is most famous for its mob of Kangaroos who regularly swim in the surf at dawn.

There are long sweeping beaches north and south, extensive wetlands, rainforest pockets and coastal heath featuring beautiful wildflowers.

We will have some suggestions on where to take some great photos and nature walks in the area on your interactive travel app.

Your destination tonight is the charming coastal town of Port Macquarie. The thriving CBD of Port Macquarie is surrounded by water, with the Hastings River on one side and stunning beaches on the other, making it one of NSW’s most walkable towns.

This afternoon we suggest making a visit to the town famous Koala rescue centre. As a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility, the Koala Hospital has been helping rescue and rehabilitate koalas since 1973. The facility is run by Koala Conservation Australia Limited, which is a not-for-profit organisation that includes approximately 200 volunteers dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating koalas and conserving and restoring their natural habitats. Spend some time checking out the habitat and Koala Museum.

The rest of the day in Port Macquarie is free to spend at your leisure. Perhaps walk a section of the town famous Walk n’ Fork, a spectacular coastal walk linking the area’s cafes, bars and restaurants.

YOUR DAY

159km- 1 hour 45 minutes driving

This morning after further exploring Port Macquarie, your next adventure is the town of Nambucca Heads where there is the opportunity to explore the town’s rich surprisingly rich art scene, from the riverside street art on the V Wall, to the changing exhibitions at the Stringer Art Gallery in the Community and Arts Centre. On Bowra St, you’ll find the Nambucca Heads street mosaic, which tells the story of the Nambucca River from the mountains to the sea. This afternoon drive through to Coffs Harbour where upon arrival there is the opportunity to explore the coastal settlement at leisure. Options include: A visit to the Big Banana Theme Park with its waterslides and mini golf, a visit to dolphin marine magic on the waterfront to see dolphins, turtles and seals among other native wildlife or perhaps take a trip to one of our favourite look out spots encompassing spectacular panoramic views.

YOUR DAY

241km- 3 hours driving time approx

After further exploring Coffs Harbour, continue along the Pacific Highway to reach your destination for the next 2 x nights. The settlement of Byron Bay is known throughout Australia for its fantastic surf beaches, stunning coastal scenery and walkways as well as its relaxed pace of the area’s locals and tourist community. This afternoon upon arrival the day is free to undertake several of the areas top attractions including: Surfing lessons, local cooking classes, kayak tours, yoga classes and fantastic nature walks. We will have a myriad of fantastic suggestions at in your interactive travel app.

YOUR DAY

The day is free to explore at leisure.

We will have some fantastic suggestions in your interactive travel app including aboriginal sites of interest, scenic walks, cafes, opportunities for surfing and yoga among other pursuits!

Today you will Enjoy a premier Julian Rocks snorkeling experience.

2.5 km off Byron Bay’s Main Beach, a rock formation called known locally by it Indigenous name of ‘Nguthungulli‘. Also known as Julian Rocks Nature Reserve, this rocky outcrop is rated as one of the best dive sites in Australia. This incredible place offers protected, safe and shallow waters perfect for snorkeling and freediving. Sitting off the most easterly point of Australia, Julian rocks is a convergence point of warm tropical and cooler temperate waters, making it a marine wildlife hotspot! Whales, Dolphins, Manta Rays, Leopard Sharks, Grey Nurse Sharks and Turtles are all common visitors. It’s a perfect environment for snorkeling and freediving with prolific fish life and multiple areas to explore.

YOUR DAY

185km- 3 hours driving time

Today is your chance to explore the incredible Gold Coast Hinterland.

Your first stop today is Nimbin, Australia’s most famous hippie destination and alternative lifestyle capital. Spend time walking around the area’s quaint shops and cafes and perhaps explore the botanic gardens. Further up the road, we will take a visit to Mount Warning, a great hiking opportunity to experience 360 degree views of the hinterland from its summit (hike is between 2-3 hours return).

From here the afternoon is free to explore Surfers Paradise at leisure and take part in some of the fantastic activities on offer.

Perhaps take a trip to the top of Sky point Observation tower for incredible views of the coast and cityscape, maybe a stroll along main beach or even some retail or relaxation therapy. We will have some great suggestions in your interactive travel app including shopping, beaches, exhibitions and other great things to explore in the city.

We will arrange for you to drop off your rental car late afternoon.

YOUR DAY

40km approx 50 minutes return drive time

Today you will enjoy a fantastic day at Warner Brothers Movie World. Experience the incredible thrill rides such as the Batwing Space shot, doomsday destroyer, Wild West falls adventure ride and superman escape. Enjoy shows such as Hollywood stunt driver, Tom and Jerry and the Looney Toons Dance Party.

After an action packed day return to Surfers Paradise in the evening.

YOUR DAY

This morning you will wake up bright and early for a breakfast in the sky! You will enjoy a hot air ballon experience including champagne breakfast (when available) overlooking the stunning gold coast in a trip of a lifetime. Enjoy the ocean and beaches from above in this 60 minute Experience!

Following this make your way down the coast to Currumbin wild life park. Here you will get up and close to Australia’s famous wildlife! You will also enjoy a behind the scenes’ experience with the famous Koala. Learn about the koala’s features, habitat, reproduction, gum species preferences and other quirky little facts about these gorgeous critters. Meet some of our koala families inside their Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary homes.

At the completion of your experience you will hold one of everyone’s favourite little Aussie legends whilst having a professional photograph to capture your experience.

YOUR DAY

Approx 1 hour driving each way

Dreamworld and WhiteWater World are home to more than 40 rides, slides & attractions!

ABC Kids World is home to 8 rides and attractions, as well as opportunities to meet ABC Kids and Wiggles Characters.

The DreamWorks experience has 10 rides and attractions, plus the opportunity to meet some of your favourite Dreamworks heroes.

Some notable thrill seeking experiences include the Giant Drop, Steel Taipan- Australia’s only triple launch coaster, the Claw and the Gold Coaster Roller Coaster.

If you are after something a little tamer enjoy a ride on one of the vintage cars or take a trip on the dreamworld express railway.

Dreamworld is also a wildlife conservation park and the largest zoological contributor to tiger conservation worldwide.

Dreamworld is proud to help support the protection and conservation of Tigers, Koalas, Bilbies, Tree Kangaroos, and more. Spend some time checking out some of this incredible wildlife as part of your spectacular day out!

YOUR DAY

This morning after breakfast at your accommodation, we can arrange for your private guide or your rental car if self-driven to drop you off at either Gold Coast Airport or Brisbane Airport. Additionally, if you wish to extend your trip, we can include the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane in your itinerary.