How far is Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay?

It is around 240 km and roughly 3 hours of driving on the upgraded Pacific Highway (M1). With beach and town stops it is a comfortable one- or two-day leg, and a great few days if you take your time.

Where should I pick up a campervan?

Coffs Harbour sits almost exactly halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, so many travellers pick up in either capital and pass through. Both have large fleets and competitive rates; Coffs itself is a scheduled stop rather than a major depot hub.

What are the best stops between Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay?

The Big Banana in Coffs, Woolgoolga's Sikh temple and beaches, Yamba and Angourie, the fishing town of Ballina, and Lennox Head's point break are all highlights. Inland, Dorrigo National Park's rainforest is a worthwhile detour.

Do I need to book campsites?

Byron Bay books out well ahead in summer, at Easter and during festivals, so reserve powered sites early. Coffs, Yamba and Ballina are easier but still busy in peak season. Freedom camping is restricted along this stretch, so plan around holiday parks.

Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay Campervan Trip 2026

The stretch of coast from Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay packs some of the best beaches in New South Wales into an easy few days of driving. This guide covers the campervan route up the Pacific Highway, the towns and beaches worth stopping for, and where to camp along the way.

The route

The Pacific Highway (M1) has been fully upgraded to dual carriageway along this section, making it fast and easy driving. The joy is in leaving it: the old coastal towns sit just a few minutes off the highway.

Coffs Harbour: Start with the iconic Big Banana, the Jetty precinct and Muttonbird Island. Detour inland to Dorrigo National Park for a taste of World Heritage rainforest and the Skywalk.
Woolgoolga (25 km): Beautiful beaches and the striking Guru Nanak Sikh temple.
Yamba & Angourie (100 km): A laid-back fishing town with a superb beach and the famous Angourie point break next door.
Ballina (180 km): The Big Prawn, riverside camps and easy access to the lighthouse coast.
Lennox Head (215 km): A world-class point break and the gorgeous Seven Mile Beach.
Byron Bay (240 km): The Cape Byron lighthouse walk, Main Beach and Australia's most easterly point.

Why do it by campervan

This is beach-hopping country, and a campervan lets you chase the surf and the sunsets without booking a string of hotels. Mornings on quiet beaches, afternoons in easygoing coastal towns, nights in holiday parks a short walk from the sand — it is one of the most relaxed coastal drives in the country.

Where to camp

There are excellent holiday parks at Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Yamba, Ballina and Byron Bay. Byron is the one to book early — it fills months ahead over summer, Easter and festival weekends. Freedom camping is heavily restricted along this coast, so plan around powered sites and follow all local signage.

Where this fits

This leg is the northern half of the classic Sydney to Byron Bay road trip, and it links neatly to a continued run north into Queensland and the Gold Coast. For more inspiration, see our best NSW coastal road trips.

Compare campervans in Sydney or read our Coffs Harbour campervan guide to plan pickups, prices and camping.