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Byron Bay to Noosa: through the Gold Coast and Brisbane

Short answer

About 310 km and around 4 hours of driving, straight through the Gold Coast and Brisbane. It's an easy day on the coach. Most people break it with a night or two on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane, and several of the tours below do the same.

Distance · about 310 km Driving · around 4 hours Tours from · $2,999
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Tours along the route

The day trips and short tours worth stopping for between Byron Bay and Noosa.

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Ways to do Byron Bay to Noosa

Option How it works Price Link
Bus Greyhound East Coast Pass (Create Your Own), 7 to 45 Days Covered by the pass. Reserve the leg when you're ready to move, and break it at the Gold Coast or Brisbane if you want. Compare current bus pass prices. from $319 Choose your pass →
Campervan Self-drive van A short day's drive, and part of our Sydney to Cairns road trip. See the Sydney to Cairns plan. See campervan hire prices by route. Free quote Get a van quote →
Fly Flying Not worth it on a 4-hour leg. Once you add airport transfers at both ends, you save little or nothing. Skip it Flight tips →
Semi-guided · 17 days Byron to Cairns: 17-Day Semi-Guided Adventure Byron and Cairns: Byron, the Gold Coast, then Noosa. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $2,999 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 17 days Sydney to Cairns: 17-Day Semi-Guided Adventure Sydney to Cairns: Byron surf school, then straight up to Noosa. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $2,999 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 21 days East Coast Semi-Guided: 21 Days, Sydney to Cairns Sydney to Cairns in three weeks: Byron, a night in Surfers Paradise, then Noosa. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $3,099 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 33 days The East Coast Classic: 33 Days, Sydney to Cairns, Every Icon Sydney to Cairns in 33 days: Byron, the Gold Coast and Brisbane, then Noosa. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $4,909 See the trip →
Fully guided · 36 days East Coast Explorer Sydney to Cairns (5 Weeks) Guided group trip: Byron, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, then Noosa. from $5,209 See the trip →

Prices are per person in AUD. Distances and drive times are rounded and don't include stops. Bus seats are reserved leg by leg once you have your pass. Compare today's prices: East Coast tour prices.

On the way

Stops worth making

Byron Bay Byron Bay Surf lessons, the lighthouse walk and the town everyone talks about. Brisbane Brisbane Worth a night: the South Bank lagoon, a CityCat ride down the river and a rooftop bar. Noosa Noosa National park walks with koalas, gentle surf and a paddle through the Everglades.

The Gold Coast sits between Byron and Brisbane: Surfers Paradise for the nightlife and the theme parks if that's your thing.

Byron Bay to Noosa: your questions

How far is Byron Bay from Noosa?

About 310 km by road, around 4 hours of driving through the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Should I stop on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane on the way?

One night in either is worth it. The Gold Coast is beaches, nightlife and theme parks; Brisbane is the river, South Bank and a more grown-up night out. Plenty of people do both.

Byron Bay or Noosa: which is better for backpackers?

Different energy. Byron is the social surf town with the bigger night out. Noosa is calmer, with national park walks, the Everglades and tours across to K'gari. Most people do both.

What's the easiest way from Byron Bay to Noosa without a car?

The coach. Our Greyhound East Coast pass starts from $319 and covers this leg plus the rest of the coast.

Can I book Byron Bay to Noosa as part of a tour?

Yes. Our semi-guided bundles and guided group trips cover this leg on the way north, from $2,999.

Read before you go

Plan the next leg

Sydney to Byron Bay →Brisbane to Noosa →Noosa to Rainbow Beach →Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach →Airlie Beach to Cairns →Brisbane to Cairns →Sydney to Cairns →Sydney to Melbourne →Melbourne to Adelaide →

Doing the whole coast? See the 21-day East Coast itinerary, compare bus passes or ask us to plan it.