Melbourne To Gold Coast Road Trip 14 Nights - 15 Days

Melbourne

Arrive at Melbourne Airport (MEL), collect your rental vehicle, and transfer to your inner-city accommodation. Spend the day exploring the city's famous laneways and coffee shops.

Activities
Vehicle pickup & check-in
Laneways walk
Queen Victoria Market (open days)

Activities : Food and Drink

Melbourne → Apollo Bay

Begin the scenic drive along the **Great Ocean Road (GOR)**. Stop at Torquay (Bells Beach) and the coastal towns of Lorne and Wye River. Overnight stay in Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, or a similar coastal town.

Activities
GOR drive start
Bells Beach viewpoint
Coastal towns exploration

Activities : Beaches Sightseeing

Apollo Bay → Twelve Apostles → Melbourne

Continue the GOR drive to see the dramatic highlights: the **Twelve Apostles**, Loch Ard Gorge, and London Bridge. After the Apostles, head inland towards Melbourne (or a nearby eastern suburb) to position for the drive to Canberra tomorrow.

Activities
Twelve Apostles stop
Loch Ard Gorge
Inland drive back towards Melbourne

Activities : Sightseeing

Melbourne → Canberra

A long driving day north-east to the nation’s capital, Canberra. Check into your hotel upon arrival. Evening at leisure.

Activities
Long driving day
Evening at leisure

Activities : Sightseeing

Canberra

Spend the day exploring the capital's civic and cultural highlights. Visit **Parliament House**, the **National Museum of Australia**, or the Australian War Memorial.

Activities
Parliament House tour
National Museum or War Memorial

Activities : Museums

Canberra → Sydney

Short morning drive north to Sydney (approx. 3.5–4 hours). Check into your Sydney accommodation. Afternoon: Return the car or park and take a ferry for a Harbour orientation.

Activities
Drive to Sydney
Car drop-off (recommended) or parking
Sydney Harbour ferry/walk

Activities : Boat Safari

Sydney

Two full days dedicated to iconic Sydney experiences: a walk around the Opera House and Botanic Gardens, a **Harbour cruise**, the **Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk**, and climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge (optional).

Activities
Sydney Opera House walk
Harbour cruise
Bondi to Coogee walk
Bridge Climb (optional)

Activities : Boat Cruise , Sightseeing

Sydney

Two full days dedicated to iconic Sydney experiences: a walk around the Opera House and Botanic Gardens, a **Harbour cruise**, the **Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk**, and climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge (optional).

Activities
Sydney Opera House walk
Harbour cruise
Bondi to Coogee walk
Bridge Climb (optional)

Activities : Boat Cruise , Sightseeing

Sydney → Port Stephens

Pick up a new rental car (if dropped off in Sydney) or start the drive north. Arrive at Port Stephens (approx. 2.5–3 hours driving). Afternoon: Explore the massive **Stockton Sand Dunes** and try **sandboarding**.

Activities
Drive to Port Stephens
Sandboarding / Dune tour

Activities : Sightseeing

Port Stephens → Coffs Harbour

Enjoy a morning at Port Stephens (optional dolphin cruise). Drive north along the scenic Pacific Highway to Coffs Harbour (approx. 3.5–4 hours). Check into your hotel and enjoy the afternoon on the beach.

Activities
Dolphin cruise (optional)
Pacific Highway drive
Beach relaxation

Activities : Beaches Sightseeing

Coffs Harbour → Gold Coast

The final long driving day north to the Gold Coast (approx. 4.5–5 hours). Cross the border into Queensland. Check into your Gold Coast resort/accommodation.

Activities
Final long drive
Arrival and check-in Gold Coast

Activities : Sightseeing

Gold Coast

Three full days to relax on famous Gold Coast beaches (Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads), take surf lessons, and visit the popular **theme parks** (Dreamworld, Movieworld, Seaworld—optional tickets).

Activities
Surf lessons
Theme park visits (optional)
Beach time

Activities : Beaches Sightseeing , Theme Parks

Gold Coast

Three full days to relax on famous Gold Coast beaches (Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads), take surf lessons, and visit the popular **theme parks** (Dreamworld, Movieworld, Seaworld—optional tickets).

Activities
Surf lessons
Theme park visits (optional)
Beach time

Activities : Beaches Sightseeing , Theme Parks

Gold Coast

Three full days to relax on famous Gold Coast beaches (Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads), take surf lessons, and visit the popular **theme parks** (Dreamworld, Movieworld, Seaworld—optional tickets).

Activities
Surf lessons
Theme park visits (optional)
Beach time

Activities : Beaches Sightseeing , Theme Parks

Gold Coast

Final breakfast. Return the vehicle to the designated drop-off point (usually Gold Coast Airport, OOL) and transfer for your onward departure.

Activities
Vehicle return
Departure transfer

Activities : Sightseeing