How to do a Sydney to Brisbane - 14-Day Motorhome Road Trip for Runners

Sydney to Brisbane | Coastal NSW & Northern Rivers

This isn’t a road trip where you squeeze in the occasional jog. It’s a structured running journey up Australia’s east coast, designed around 8 scenic 10–12 km routes, short driving days and practical campervan stays, you are on holidays - remember that!

Travelling with non-runners? Every route doubles as a spectacular coastal or national park walk, with clear paths, café stops and swim breaks along the way.

You’ll collect your motorhome from the Sydney depot and head north. No city stays. Just coastal towns, beachside holiday parks and national parks. Return the vehicle in Brisbane and fly home. (or reverse the whole thing - easy)

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Day 1 – Pick Up Sydney → Newcastle

Drive: ~2 hours (plus stops)

Realistically, you won’t leave the depot before 10.30 am. Between paperwork, vehicle orientation and a supermarket stop, it’s usually mid-afternoon before you properly settle in.

Keep Day One simple.

Optional Stop: Australian Reptile Park (Somersby)

Just off the Pacific Highway, it’s an easy leg stretch and a fun introduction to Aussie wildlife.

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Newcastle (1 Night)

A historic coastal city with ocean baths, surf beaches and an excellent café scene.

1️⃣ Newcastle – Foreshore to Nobbys Head Loop (12km)

Run: 60–75 mins
Walk: 2–2.5 hrs

Flat, oceanfront, lighthouse views and sunrise magic.

Start Point: Nobbys Beach Car Park
📍 -32.9267, 151.7846

Google Maps Link: https://www.google.com/maps?q=-32.9267,151.7846

Open start point in Google Maps before you head out on all these walks 

Stay: Reflections Newcastle Beach
Tourism Info: Destination NSW – Newcastle
Traditional Custodians: Awabakal and Worimi peoples.

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Day 3–4 – Port Stephens (2 Nights)

Drive: 1 hour

Port Stephens is known for its marine life, calm bays and sand dunes.

2️⃣ Port Stephens – Tomaree Head Summit Loop (10 - 12 km)

Run: 75–90 mins
Walk: ~3 hrs

Avoid the heat and climb early. Reward yourself with serious coastal views.

Main summit track access, early arrival for parking vital. 

Start Point: Tomaree National Park Car Park (Shoal Bay)
📍 -32.7166, 152.1740

Google Maps Link: https://www.google.com/maps?q=-32.7166,152.1740

Stay: NRMA Port Stephens Holiday Resort

Tourism Info: Port Stephens Tourism
Destination NSW – Port Stephens
Traditional Custodians: Worimi people.

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Day 5 – Forster

Drive: 2 hours

A relaxed twin-town destination split by the beautiful Wallis Lake.

3️⃣ Forster – Wallis Lake Foreshore Loop (10 -12 km)

Flat, forgiving and scenic with easy access to both lake and bridge sections.

Start Point: Forster Main Beach Car Park
📍 -32.1803, 152.5123

Google Maps Link: https://www.google.com/maps?q=-32.1803,152.5123

Stay: Forster Tuncurry Lakeside Holiday Park
Tourism Info: Barrington Coast
Destination NSW – Forster
Traditional Custodians: Worimi people.

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Day 6–7 – Port Macquarie (2 Nights)

Drive: 1.5 hours

Port Macquarie blends coastal scenery with laid-back town vibes.

4️⃣ Port Macquarie – Coastal Walk + Breakwall (12 kms)

Great public facilities and clear coastal path access with cafes and amazing beaches, a must for the walkers.

Run: 65–80 mins
Walk: 2.5 hrs

Start Point: Town Beach Car Park
📍 -31.4312, 152.9177

Google Maps Link: https://www.google.com/maps?q=-31.4312,152.9177

Longer Option: Extend to Lighthouse Beach for 16–18 km.

Stay: BIG4 NRMA Port Macquarie Holiday Park

Tourism Info: Port Macquarie Tourism
Destination NSW – Port Macquarie

Traditional Custodians: Birpai people.

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Day 8 – Coffs Harbour

Drive: 2 hours

A classic coastal town framed by rainforest and ocean.

5️⃣ Coffs Harbour – Jetty to Forest Sky Pier Loop (12km)

Flat harbour start before the climb toward Forest Sky Pier.

Start Point: Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore
📍 -30.3061, 153.1420

Google Maps Link: https://www.google.com/maps?q=-30.3061,153.1420

Stay:
Reflections Holiday Park Coffs Harbour

Tourism Info: Coffs Coast

Destination NSW – Coffs Harbour

Traditional Custodians: Gumbaynggirr people.

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Day 9–10 – Byron Bay (2 Nights)

Drive: 3 hours

Australia’s easternmost point, famous for beaches and coastal trails.

6️⃣ Byron Bay – Cape Byron Lighthouse Circuit (10 -12 km)

• Popular sunrise starting point. Iconic clifftop route.
• Dolphins if you’re lucky.
• Limited parking in peak season so get their early.

Run: 60–90 mins
Walk: ~3 hrs

Start Point: The Pass Car Park
📍 -28.6375, 153.6348

Google Maps Link: https://www.google.com/maps?q=-28.6375,153.6348

Stay: Byron Bay Holiday Park
Tourism Info:  Visit Byron Bay
Destination NSW – Byron Bay
Traditional Custodians: Arakwal people of the Bundjalung Nation.

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Day 11 -12 – Gold Coast - Burleigh Heads (2 Nights)

Drive: 1 hour

Surf beaches, headlands and smooth running paths.

7️⃣ Gold Coast – Burleigh Oceanfront Loop (10 km)

• Flat and fast.
• Central beachfront start with easy path navigation.

Start Point: Justins Park, Burleigh Heads
📍 -28.0912, 153.4545

Google Maps Link:
https://www.google.com/maps?q=-28.0912,153.4545

Stay:
NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort

Tourism Info: Experience Gold Coast
Queensland Tourism
Traditional Custodians: Yugambeh people.

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Day 13 – Springbrook National Park

Drive: 1 hour inland

Rainforest, waterfalls and cooler mountain air. I nice contrast to all the coastal running.

8️⃣ Springbrook National Park – Trail Circuit (10 - 12km)

Technical terrain. Slow and steady. Link Twin Falls and surrounding circuits from here.

Start Point: Purling Brook Falls Car Park
📍 -28.2316, 153.2647

Google Maps Link: https://www.google.com/maps?q=-28.2316,153.2647

Stay: Springbrook Rainforest Retreat
Hipcamp options

Tourism Info: Queensland Tourism – Springbrook
Traditional Custodians: Yugambeh people.

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Day 14 – Drive to Brisbane

Drive: 1.5 hours

Return Vehicle & Fly Home

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Runner Road-Trip Tips

• Run at sunrise to avoid heat and crowds
• Use 2-night stops for recovery swims and mobility work
• Pre-download routes offline
• Coastal sections can be exposed — hat and sunscreen essential
• Non-runners can comfortably walk all routes

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Planning Your Vehicle

If you’re building a running-focused road trip like this, comfort matters. You’ll want enough space for gear, easy access to storage and a proper fridge for recovery meals.

Look for the larger vehicles that have permanent bed set ups,  even if there is only 2 of you travelling go for a 4 or 6 berth for the extra room, bigger kitchen and bathroom, remember it's your transport and accommodation in one so it's just like upgrading you hotel room for a longer stay.

Suggestions:

• Maui Cascade
• Maui River 
• Apollo Euro Quest
• Cruisin 4 Berth Seeker
• Star Polaris 4 Berth
• Let's Go Quatro
• Let's Go Excursion

For prices compare motorhomes and campervans for this route using your dates in our DriveNow search engine.

Early bookings secure better choice and pricing, especially during school holidays.

A lot of the tracks on this itinerary are through ecologically sensitive areas and some national parks so remember to leave only foot prints and take only photos.