Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast: must visit destinations for the perfect road trip

Are you planning a trip to South East Queensland and wondering what to do? Then this post is for you. We look at everything you need to know to do a road trip from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast, as well as all the places in between.

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What is the distance from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast

The distance from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast is around 186km or 115 miles. That translates to around 2 hours and 30 minutes of drive time. Although just to clarify this is based on the quickest route which takes you on toll roads through Brisbane. It will also be dependant on traffic and weather conditions.

Obviously the distance from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast is going to be shorter if you stick to the highways, and travel on the toll roads. The highways are multi-lane roads and traffic is usually free flowing.

The drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast is actually quite boring if you stick to the highways, You won’t get to see much apart from cars, trucks, and road signs. In which case we highly recommend that you plan some detours and stops along the way.

The distance from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast will obviously depend on the route you take, but if you have the time, you should try and see as much as you can.

Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast Factsheet

Distance: 186km

Drive time: 2.5 hours plus (depending on traffic)

Suggested stops: Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast

About the Gold Coast: The Gold Coast is located south of Brisbane and is about an hours drive from the CBD. It’s famous for its sandy beaches, surf spots, theme parks, and hiking trails.

About Brisbane: Brisbane, or ‘Brissie’ as it is often called is the capital of Queensland. Located in the south eastern part of the state, Brisbane is the third biggest city in Australia. Brisbane is a river city, built around the aptly named Brisbane River which provides the backdrop to a lot of the cities attractions.

About the Sunshine Coast: The Sunshine Coast is located north of Brisbane. It’s about 2 hours drive from the CBD, and is a vast bit of landscape. It stretches over 60 kilometres, and is full of white sandy beaches, rainforests, and cute and historic villages.

Getting to the Gold Coast

This itinerary covers getting from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast, so the Gold Coast is obviously your starting point. And so you might be wondering how exactly do you get to the Gold Coast?

The biggest airport in Queensland is Brisbane Airport. From here the Gold Coast is easily accessible. The best option for fuss free travel from Brisbane to the Gold Coast is to take the train. The airtrain goes from Brisbane Airport (via the city centre) to the Gold Coast.

The trains are pretty frequent (every 15 minutes in peak times and every 30 minutes otherwise), and one of the perks is that you can avoid the traffic. The train takes over an hour and you also need to factor in tram transfers once you arrive at the Gold Coast. All in all you are probably looking at 2 hours travel time.

The Gold Coast also has an airport, although it tends to be more budget airlines that fly here. If you are flying directly to the Gold Coast here is a handy link to help you get to your accommodation from the airport.

Are there toll roads on the drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast?

One thing to keep in mind is that depending on the route you take on your drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast, you may encounter toll roads. The toll roads tend to form part of the quicker route, but you can avoid these and take slightly longer routes.

The best thing to do is research in advance. If you do decide to drive via the toll roads, then keep in mind Queensland no longer has toll booths to accept payment. In fact everything is electronic. As a motorist you are required to pay any toll charges within 3 days of travelling through.

Toll roads are very heavily signposted, so there is generally no danger of driving them without realising. You will need to pay your toll to Linkt for any roads in Queensland. Other Australian states have different providers. You can either phone Linkt on 13 33 31 or visit the website at www.linkt.com.au to make payment.

Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast by public transport

While this guide is mostly focussed on planning a drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast, we thought it would be worth mentioning some public transport options just in case.

The best option for getting from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast via public transport is to make use of the trains. The main train station at the Gold Coast is Helensvale Station. This train will take you all the way into the Brisbane CBD.

To get to Helensvale Station you will need to use the G:Link which is the tram service that runs through the Gold Coast. You can get it from places like Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach. The train takes just over 1 hour.

After you have spent some time in Brisbane you can then hop on a train from Roma Street Station, heading towards Nambour. You will need to get off at Maroochydore, and from here you can explore the Sunshine Coast.

You can also use Greyhound Australia, to get around from city to city.

Getting from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast by car

If you are planning to get from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast, the best way to do it is to drive. This gives you way more flexibility, and believe us you will want to stop the car to take photographs a lot!

If you were to do the straight drive you would essentially follow the M1 from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast via Brisbane. This road does have tolls but the road quality is excellent. Driving also allows you to turn off at those random spots, and drive through those back areas, which will enable you to see the real Australia. Here are some top tops for driving in Australia:

• Make sure you drive on the left hand side of the road.
• Speeding is a big deal in Australia, so don’t risk it. Police will often set up cameras in random spots and the fines are hefty.
• Police also do random breath testing in Australia, so do not drink and drive.
• Plan some stops along the way in order to take a break from driving.

Renting a car to drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast

There are several places around the Gold Coast where you can rent a car. The airport is one of them, and sometimes the easiest option. Just make sure that you book well in advance to secure the best deal. Here are some of our top tips for car rental in Australia:

• Go for the full insurance option just in case. It’s more expensive but better to be safe than sorry.
• If you don’t opt for full insurance do a full check of the car and note any scratches or defects no matter how small.
• Manual and automatic cars are both readily available, but automatics tend to be more expensive.
• When choosing a car size remember that Australia has some big roads, so you may want to consider a medium to large car if you are driving a long way.
• Make a note of the amount of petrol in car before you set off and return it with the same amount to avoid fees.

Where to stop on a drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast

Some of the recommended stops on a drive from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast are:

• Gold Coast
• Gold Coast Hinterland
• Brisbane
• Bribie Island
• Stradbroke Island
• Moreton Island
• Sunshine Coast
• Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Where you visit will of course depend on the amount of time that you have to travel. As a bare minimum we do recommend spending a bit of time at the Gold and Sunshine Coast as well as Brisbane City.

How long do you need for a gold coast to sunshine coast road trip

Realistically you could drive from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast in one day. But where is the fun in that.

A week is a good amount of time to do the drive and see many of the attractions in between. You definitely want to spend at least 2 days in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast respectively. If you plan to visit some of the islands like Stradbroke Island or Bribie Island for example you will need an additional day for each.

Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast itinerary

Here is a sample itinerary for a scenic drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast.

Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast stop one – Gold Coast

This itinerary obviously starts at the Gold coast. So here we go through absolutely everything you need to know when visiting including, where to stay, things to do, and much more.

Things to do at the Gold Coast

Here are some of the best things to see and do when visiting the Gold Coast. A lot of these attractions are a little spread out, so you definitely will need a car to visit a lot of these spots.

Visit Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular parts of the Gold Coast. It’s filled with golden beaches, alfresco dining, and relaxed cafes waiting to be explored. It’s also good for nightlife.

For some great views of the area visit the Q1 observation tower, which at 230 metres in height, is certainly the best place to get some 360 degree views of the Gold Coast.

Relax on the beach

Obviously a must when visiting the Gold Coast is to make time to enjoy the beach. The sand is white and the water is so inviting especially on those hot days. Surfers Paradise, or the nearby Broadbeach are some of our favourites, but you can also find quieter more chilled out places too.

Explore the Gold Coast Hinterland

The Gold Coast Hinterland is perfect for nature lovers. Make sure you explore O’Reilly’s where you can do a guided walk or visit the famous treetop walk.

You also have the incredible Mount Tamborine which is also located in the Gold Coast hinterland. If you are looking for the best things to do in Mount Tamborine this is a helpful guide.

Have fun at a theme park

The Gold Coast is home to some of Australia’s best theme parks. You have Dreamworld, which is a theme park designed for thrill seekers who love rides.  Movie World, which is a Warner Bros themed park with a mix of rides and film studios. And you also have Wet n Wild, a theme park totally dedicated to water slides. They are all perfect family days out!

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

If it’s your first time in Australia, you will want to get acquainted with some of the wildlife in the country. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to do this. You can hand feed Kangaroos, and Rainbow Lorikeets, which is such a cool experience.

Where to stay at the Gold Coast

When deciding where to stay at the Gold Coast, it’s important to note that there are two different types of accommodation you can book. One type is your standard hotel. The other, is an apartment rental. Apartment rentals are really popular in the area. They usually have a kitchen, dining room and balcony. You can bring your own food, and just chill out and enjoy the views. If you are spending more than a few days at the Gold Coast this is a great option.

Most accommodation options have parking too, so you shouldn’t have any issues, but do check before you book.

The most popular areas to stay on the Gold Coast are the beachside spots of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. They are popular with tourists, but have a lot of amenities nearby like shops, parks, and of course the beach.

For some suggestions on places to stay we recommend Q1 at Surfers Paradise. This is a good option for apartment style stays. There are also some great hotels like Peppers, and Imperial Hotel Gold Coast to name but a few.

Eating and drinking at the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast has some great options for food. Although you probably do need to look past the fast food and fast drinks that places like Surfers Paradise have to offer. If you are in the area though Surfers Pavilion is one of our favourite food spots serving some excellent seafood and Frosé.

Rick Shores in Burleigh Heads is another favourite, that does modern Asian flavours, and the best Moreton Bay bug roll ever. Or for something a little more laid back you can try Justin Lane, which does pizza and pasta, but the main event are the cocktails.

Jupiters Casino is another place to go for some good food options. Jupiters is a bit of an institution on the Gold Coast. It’s like something you would find in Las Vegas. They do great buffets, fun cocktails, and there tends to be shows in the evening too.

Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast stop two – Brisbane

After you visit the Gold Coast our recommendation is to drive to Brisbane and spend a little bit of time here. The drive takes approximately 1 hour from the Gold Coast, which is dependant on traffic and the route you take.

Things to do in Brisbane

Here are some of the best things to do in Brisbane. A lot of these attractions are relatively close together, but there are a few that may require a car to get to.

For a full Brisbane itinerary you can checkout this guide, otherwise keep reading for an overview of some of the best things to see and do.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a must if you want to get up close and personal with a kangaroo or a koala. You can also learn a lot about the unique Australian wildlife. What I love about Lone Pine is that there is a huge area for the Kangaroos to roam around. They are all tame, and will eat out of your hand if you have food (which incidentally can be bought at the gift shop).

It’s located in Fig Tree Pocket, which is a suburb on the outskirts of Brisbane City. You can either drive here, or hop on the CityCat which is a ferry service that runs from Lone Pine to the city centre and beyond.

Climb the Story Bridge

Story Bridge is an iconic structure in the city. Whilst Sydney has the Sydney Harbour, Brisbane instead has Story Bridge.

For some great views we recommend the Story Bridge Climb. It’s actually a lot of fun, and you get to learn all about the history of the city as you do it.

South Bank Parklands

One of our favourite parts of Brisbane has to be South Bank. Sprawled out over 17 hectares of prime riverside land this inner city oasis is perfect for exploring, swimming, and eating. You can have a BBQ or dine at one of the many restaurants in the area. There is also a public swimming facility which resembles a beach with the stunning CBD as a backdrop.

You can also go on the Wheel of Brisbane to get some great views of the city. The cool thing about this is you can sip wine as you learn all about the city.

The Cultural Precinct

If you are feeling a little bit more cultural, also located in South Bank is Brisbane’s cultural precinct. Here you can visit the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), The Queensland Museum and Science Centre, The State Library and the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).

The Queensland Art Gallery is certainly worth a visit especially as a lot of the art work has a focus on Australia, Asia, and the Pacific. It is also a great place to see some Indigenous Art which is an important part of Australian history.

City Botanical Gardens

Located in the city centre the botanic gardens are heritage listed, and were originally planted by convicts in 1825 as a source of food to feed the prison colony. Not long after it became a public garden, with several rare botanic species located here.

Mount Coot-tha Lookout

For some of the best views over Brisbane head to Mt Coot-tha. We loved visiting at night because you get to see the city all lit up, but visiting in the day is amazing too. This is somewhere that you need a car to get to, so keep that in mind when visiting.

XXXX Brewery Tour

Right, so beer in Australia is a pretty big deal. And each state is quite competitive in producing their own local beer. Queensland’s contribution is XXXX (said Four X). The tour is a great way to get to grips with how it is made, as well as how to pour a perfect beer. On top of that you do get to do some tasting which is always a bonus.

Where to stay in Brisbane

If you are looking for accommodation in Brisbane, then we highly recommend staying in the CBD or South Bank. That way you are close to a lot of the attractions, and you can easily get around from here. If you have a car you probably want to avoid the CBD, but South Bank is a good shout as many of the hotels have parking. Traffic also doesn’t get as crazy as it does in the CBD.

For a 4 star hotel in the city centre you are looking at paying over $200 per night on average. This will go up and down depending on the time of year you book.

The Emporium Hotel South Bank is one of our favourites. It’s a 4 Star Hotel with some pretty incredible views over the city. There is also a rooftop pool and bar area. The Novotel Brisbane South Bank is another good option and tends to be a little cheaper.

Eating and drinking in Brisbane

Brisbane has a fantastic food scene. It’s such a multicultural city, and this is very much reflected in the types of cuisine you can find. South Bank is a good spot for casual al fresco dining, whereas Eagle Street Pier is perfect for something a little fancier.

Another foodie favourite is West End. Located just on the outskirts of the city centre, here you will find some truly culturally diverse food from Vietnamese Bakeries to contemporary cuisine. It can feel a little rough around the edges but this just adds to the charm, and the food here is quite affordable.

South Bank and the CBD are good spots for cocktail bars, rooftop lounges, and everything in between. Some of our favourites are Death and Taxes, which is a hidden cocktail lounge serving some inventive drinks. You also have The Terrace which is a rooftop bar at the Emporium Hotel in South Bank.

Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast stop three – The Islands

There are a number of islands that are a short drive away from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. They all offer a different experience and are all incredibly beautiful. You can either stay on the islands, or visit as part of a day trip from Brisbane.

Islands to visit

Here are some of the top islands to visit between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Moreton Island

Moreton Island is just over an hours ferry ride from Brisbane. It’s a truly magical place where you can hand feed dolphins, go quad biking, or even snorkelling near some historical shipwrecks. Tangalooma is the holiday resort area, and it’s every bit as idyllic as you can imagine.

Stradbroke Island

Stradbroke Island is broken up into two islands North Stradbroke and South Stradbroke.

The North Island is accessible by ferry from Cleveland near Brisbane. There is a lot to do on the island including 4WD driving, surfing, scuba diving, and just generally walking around. It’s also a great place to spot some wildlife.

The South Island is closer to the Gold Coast. It’s the lesser visited island, although still popular. There are only about 40 people living on the island, so you can imagine based on this that it is quite secluded and incredibly close to nature.

Bribie Island

Bribie Island is a former fishing village, turned holiday spot. It’s great for all kinds of water activities like surfing, paddle-boarding, and kayaking. Fishing is still a big thing here, and the reason why a lot of people visit. You can also explore the island and get immersed in nature.

Where to stay

If you are visiting Moreton Island, you should look for accommodation in Tangalooma. There are some incredibly magical resorts you can book.

Bribie Island has a good choice of resort style accommodation that you can book, and the prices are usually pretty decent too.

Stradbroke Island is popular for camping, although if you are exploring the South Island Couran Cove Resort is the best place to stay and it is the Gold Coast’s only island resort.

Eating and drinking

There isn’t a lot of choice when it comes to food and drink on the islands. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, it just means that they aren’t hugely populated or built up. So when you visit you really are getting to experience nature.

If you are looking for food on Moreton Island, keep in mind that you don’t have a huge amount of choice. The Gutter Bar at the south end of the island is popular with tourists looking for burgers and casual dining. Tangalooma resort has a lot more option with everything from casual to fine dining.

Bribie Island has some great restaurants with different types of cuisine from modern Australian at The Jetty, to Thai food at Kinnaree Thai Restaurant.

North Stradbroke Island has a few bakeries, and a restaurant called Sealevel 21 which does sit down or takeaway options. You also have the Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel Bistro that does some decent food and drink.

Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast stop four – Sunshine Coast

Obviously as this is a guide to travelling from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast, our final stop is going to be the Sunshine Coast.

Things to do at the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is one of our favourite places to visit on this itinerary. It’s such a beautiful part of the country, and is far less touristy than the Gold Coast. Here are some suggestions on things to do on the Sunshine Coast.

Noosa National Park

Noosa is a popular Sunshine Coast tourist town. The National Park is beautiful with remote beaches, rugged cliffs, and fantastic lookout points.

Visit the beach

There are tons of really incredible beaches at the Sunshine Coast. You have places like Noosa, Mooloolaba, and Caloundra which are all popular tourist spots. There are also a number of quieter more secluded beaches where you can relax.

Glasshouse Mountains

You will notice the Glasshouse Mountains National Park on your way up from Brisbane where you will be treated with sights of pine forests and vast expanses of greenery (or brownery especially in the summer when there is little rain and the grass turns a bristly shade of brown). You can do a hike to the peak of several of the mountains with an accredited company.

Australia Zoo

One of the Sunshine Coast’s biggest tourist attractions has to be Australia Zoo. Steve Irwin invested a lot into Australia Zoo and it is now home to a number of creatures great and small. It is a great chance to get up close and personal with some slimey, scaley and even furry natives Australia is famed for. The Zoo does put a lot of time and money back into conservation projects around the world, which is good to know especially because I have very mixed feelings about the purpose of zoos.

Sea Life

Animal lovers can also head to Mooloolaba to visit Queensland’s largest oceanarium. The highlight definitely has to be the 80m long tunnel you can walk under whilst gazing at sharks and stingrays. It’s a truly captivating experience and well worth a visit.

Aussie World

The only theme park located at the Sunshine Coast is Aussie World. It’s not as big as the parks on the Gold Coast, but still has lots of fun rides and attractions.

Visit a historic town

There are lots of historic towns in the Sunshine Coast but Maleny is our favourite. There are lots of quirky shops, art galleries, and cafes that you can explore.

Where to stay at the Sunshine Coast

Just like the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast has a mix of accommodation, from hotels to apartment style rentals. The apartment style rentals are the most popular though, and your best choice for staying at the Sunshine Coast.

The best areas to stay are Mooloolaba, Caloundra, and Noosa, especially if you want to be close to the beaches. There are also eco style lodges, particularly around Maleny which is one of our favourite areas.

Eating and drinking at the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast has a lot of really good food options. Places like Noosa, Mooloolaba tend to be the most popular when it comes to food.

One of our favourites that we highly recommend is Sum Yung Guys in Noosa. It’s an Asian Fusion style eatery. The restaurant is a project by Matt Sinclair who was a former Masterchef star. It’s a pretty casual affair, and the cocktails are really good.

Rickys is another must in Noosa. The views are incredible as it is located by the water. But the real appeal is that a lot of the ingredients are sourced from local produce.

What to bring for your drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast

If you are wondering what you should pack for your drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast here are some top tips.

• Comfortable walking shoes, especially if you plan to go hiking
• Sun protection – no matter what time of year it is
• Road trip snacks and lots of water/ refreshments
• Swimming costume and towels
• A picnic rug – this is especially useful if you are sitting outdoors to avoid the ants

Best time of year to drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast

The weather in Australia is pretty decent year round. For that reason you can do your drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast at any time of year.

The summer months are warm and humid, and are perfect for lounging by the beach. Just keep in mind that summer tends to be peak holiday season particularly around the Gold and Sunshine Coast. If you are planning to visit at this time of year make sure you book your accommodation well in advance.

The winter months are mild, with temperatures averaging at around 20°C during the day. It’s still relatively sunny, and there is actually less chance of rain in the winter months, due to the decreased likelihood of tropical storms. Accommodation tends to be cheaper too. Whilst you may not want to go swimming in winter, you can still stroll around the beaches, do some hikes, and generally enjoy being outdoors.

For more information on the best time to visit the Gold Coast you can checkout this link. And alternatively if you are doing this drive in the winter, here is a helpful guide to the Gold Coast at winter.

Is it worth driving from from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast?

If you are wondering if it is worth driving from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast, we honestly think the answer is yes. It gives you such a fantastic opportunity to stop off at some amazing places in south east Queensland.

By driving you can explore things at your own pace. You can also stop and enjoy some of the scenic looks outs or attractions that you otherwise wouldn’t notice if you are using public transport.

Driving from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast recap

We hope that this article has helped you plan your own drive from the Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast. South East Queensland is a really beautiful part of the world, so if you have the opportunity to do this drive, we highly recommend you take it. And the more detours you make the better!

For more ideas and posts about any of the locations mentioned in this guide you can have a look at these links:

Brisbane or the Gold Coast: Which one is better?

Gold Coast or Sunshine: Which beach location is best for me?

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Happy Travels!