A Sydney to Brisbane road trip gives you a couple of very different ways to travel between the two cities. While the coastal route is probably the more common choice, heading inland takes you through the Hunter Valley, the New England Tablelands and Queensland’s Granite Belt, with plenty of interesting country towns and national parks along the way.
We’re going to focus on a New England Highway road trip, taking in some of the highlights and worthwhile stops along this inland route. It’s a great choice if you fancy swapping the beaches for wine regions, national parks and some classic Australian country towns.
Our suggested Sydney to Brisbane touring route also covers the coastal option if you’re still deciding which way to travel—ideal whether you’re in a car or planning the journey with Sydney to Brisbane motorhome hire.
How Long Do You Need from Sydney to Brisbane?
The inland journey between Sydney and Brisbane is around 1,000 kilometres, depending on the exact route you take and any detours along the way. While you can cover the distance much faster, we recommend allowing at least seven days. If your schedule allows, 10 to 14 days gives you much more flexibility along the way, particularly if you find a spot you love and decide to stay an extra night or two.
You’ll find the main roads are sealed, with plenty of towns along the way to stop for fuel, pick up supplies or break up the journey.
New to travelling Australia by motorhome? Have a look through our motorhome hire guide and travel tips before you set off. There’s plenty of useful information there to help with the practical side of your trip.
Highlights Along the Inland Route
The Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley is a great place to spend a night or two as you make your way north from Sydney. As one of Australia’s best-known wine regions, there are plenty of cellar doors to visit, along with local produce, restaurants and beautiful countryside to explore.
Some of our favourite Australian wines come from the Hunter Valley, so we’re always happy to recommend a little extra time here. As you continue north through the Upper Hunter, the vineyards gradually give way to horse studs, farmland and the more rural landscapes of the region.
Tamworth
Next up is Tamworth, best known as Australia’s country music capital. The annual Tamworth Country Music Festival takes over the city each January, but you don’t need to visit during festival time to make it a worthwhile stop. There are museums, galleries and country music attractions to explore throughout the year.
And yes, there is the Golden Guitar. Standing 12 metres high, it’s one of Australia’s famous ‘big things’ and almost impossible to drive past without stopping for the obligatory photo.
Armidale and the New England High Country
As you head towards Armidale, your road trip takes you higher into the New England Tablelands and the landscape begins to change. Sitting at around 1,000 metres above sea level, Armidale is surrounded by national parks, waterfalls and impressive gorge country. It’s also noticeably cooler up here, particularly if you’re travelling during winter when overnight temperatures can drop below freezing.
So, despite heading north towards Queensland, you’ll definitely want to keep some warm clothes handy. There’s plenty around Armidale to warrant spending more than one night here. Waterfall Way is one of the highlights, heading east towards the coast through waterfalls, rainforest and gorge country, while Armidale itself has heritage buildings, museums and galleries to explore.
Glen Innes and Tenterfield
Before crossing into Queensland, you’ll pass through Glen Innes and Tenterfield, two very different New England towns with plenty to see along the way.
Glen Innes has strong Celtic connections, celebrated by the Australian Standing Stones overlooking the town. The surrounding area is also known for its granite landscapes, historic villages and fossicking, so there’s plenty to discover beyond the town itself.
Further north is Tenterfield, a lovely historic town with an important place in Australia’s story. It was here in 1889 that Sir Henry Parkes delivered the Tenterfield Oration, which helped build momentum towards Australian Federation. If you enjoy exploring national parks, Bald Rock and Boonoo Boonoo are both within reach of Tenterfield.
Queensland’s Granite Belt
Once you cross into Queensland, Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt are next on the route. Sitting at a higher elevation, this part of Queensland has a cooler climate. If you enjoyed the food and wine of the Hunter Valley earlier in your trip, you’ll find plenty more to sample here, with local wineries, orchards and produce throughout the region.
Nearby Girraween National Park is well worth a visit, with enormous granite boulders, walking tracks and some unusual rock formations to explore.
Warwick and the Final Run to Brisbane
From the Granite Belt, the New England Highway continues north to Warwick, one of Queensland’s oldest regional cities. There are some lovely historic sandstone buildings around town, along with cafés and shops if you’re ready for a break from driving.
From Warwick, the route takes you through the rural scenery of the Southern Downs, with rolling farmland and mountain ranges as you make your way towards Brisbane.
When Is the Best Time for This Trip?
This is a great road trip at any time of year, although temperatures can vary as you travel inland and through the higher country. Summer can get hot around the Hunter Valley and Tamworth, while winter nights can be surprisingly cold through the New England Tablelands and Granite Belt.
Spring and autumn are also lovely times to travel, with generally milder temperatures. Whatever time of year you’re heading off, it’s always worth keeping an eye on the forecast. Australia does have a habit of throwing the occasional weather surprise into even the best-planned road trip.
Should You Travel Inland or Along the Coast?
The inland and coastal routes offer very different experiences between Sydney and Brisbane. Follow the Pacific Highway and you’ll have beaches, seaside towns and coastal national parks to explore, while the New England Highway takes you through wine regions, historic country towns and the cooler landscapes of the New England Tablelands.
If time allows, why not experience both? Travel from Sydney to Brisbane via the New England Highway and return along the coast, or do the reverse if you’re planning a Brisbane to Sydney road trip. We’d suggest allowing around two weeks for the full loop, or longer if you’d like the flexibility to spend a few nights in your favourite spots along the way.
Planning Your Sydney to Brisbane Motorhome Trip
With motorhome hire available from both Sydney and Brisbane, this road trip works well on its own or as part of a longer trip around Australia.
At Gallivanting Oz, we can help you compare motorhome and campervan options to find the right vehicle for your trip and budget. We’re also always happy to share our knowledge and help with your route, whether you’re travelling one way between Sydney and Brisbane or turning it into a longer loop.
Compare our motorhome and campervan hire options or get in touch with our friendly team if you’d like some help planning your trip.
