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Change of Australian Plans...

I thought I had the perfect trip planned for our family vacation in August. I used much of the advice from this travel forum when deciding where to stay. THEN! My husband just decided last night that he would rather drive up the east coast from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef and use the extra days to do that, rather than drive the Great Ocean Road from Adelaide to Melbourne. So now, I am pretty much back to square one (after we spend the first few days in Sydney).

I am now looking for suggestions as to where to stop/stay and best things to do on the way up. Still like the smaller towns best, and quaint/charming is always a plus! This looks like a 3 day drive at least. We are thinking that we can see the Australia Zoo outside of Brisbane for one of the stops.

Luckily, all the hotel bookings I have already made are refundable, and I can switch the date of the boat tour on the GBR out of Port Douglas. We will end up flying out of Cairns into Melbourne rather than Adelaide as previously planned (no flights booked yet, so at least that's good news).

Any ideas will be appreciated! Thanks!

Posted by
3007 posts

It's a 30 hour drive from Sydney to Port Douglas via the coastal route (about 2700 Km), so if you plan any stops along the way (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) the trip will likely take at least a week, and I'm not sure there's anything along the way that would justify that much time in the car.
I'm still of the opinion that flying (nonstop - about 3 hours) is your better option.
Still, if you're absolutely committed to the drive: we enjoyed both Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbor when we drove the route a few years ago, but then we a lot more time to work with. Brisbane is OK, but we much prefer Adelaide.
Lamington National Park just west of the Gold Coast is wonderful - with lots of terrific hikes and lots of animals. Saw goanas, koalas, and even a platypus on our walks thru the bush there. Requires at least a couple of days though. Both the Binna Burra Lodge and Oreilly's offer upscale accommodation near the trail heads. Neither is cheap but both are quite nice.
Between the Sunshine Coast and Cairns there's not much in the way of scenery, and we frankly thought it got tedious in a hurry. Can't compare to the spectacular vistas and neat little places to stop along the GOR.
Good Luck.

Posted by
126 posts

Hi Linda,
Even though I live in Queensland and love it here I wouldn’t be swapping the Great Ocean Road trip for what your husband proposes.

Queensland is the state that stretches from Brisbane to Cairns – and as many will tell you it’s not a pretty drive at all between these towns. It’s about 1800Km and most of it is just a 2 lane road – one lane each direction.

Most locals would jump on a plane rather than drive it, given the air fares it would most probably be a cheaper option and far less stressful.

The trip between Sydney and Brisbane is worth doing, there are two options, either follow the coast road (Pacific Highway) or go slightly inland along the New England Highway either way is quite scenic. Both are about 900Kms and need a couple of days minimal if you want to stop and take in the sites.

You could do the whole trip (Sydney to Cairns) in 3 days nonstop driving but why?? The roads over here are nothing like yours or in Europe plus you’re driving on the other side as well.

Think long and hard before changing anything.

Posted by
56 posts

Thanks for the replies! I haven't cancelled anything yet and am arming myself with replies for rebuttal ammunition :) ! I have been watching youtube videos on the Great Ocean Road and saving links of the best ones to show my husband!

Posted by
977 posts

That's a helluva drive. To do it justice would take a week. I have done that drive and the Great Ocean road. GOR wins hands down.

Posted by
378 posts

Have done the Cairns to Brisbane road trip. Only did it as we had friends in Townsville to stop and visit with. Other than that, pleasant trip but not with limited time. It was not our first trip to Australia, so I would not recommend taking valuable time to do it. Middle school age children were very bored. Couldn't wait to get to Brisbane, and were quite tired of each other being cooped up in the campervan.

I think Robert and Judy have given you good suggestions.

Good luck!