DAY 1: SYDNEY-HUNTER VALLEY (108 miles/2 hrs)

On arrival at Sydney Airport, you will be met and assisted with picking up your rental car. Commence your drive to the Hunter Valley, through scenic wine country. Overnight: Hunter Valley, Sebel Kirkton Park (standard) or Peppers Guesthouse (B&B)

DAY 2: HUNTER VALLEY-PORT MACQUARIE (167 miles/31/2 hrs)

Spend the day exploring some of the great boutique wineries of the Hunter Valley. Then join the Pacific Highway and take the scenic route through the Great Lakes. Pass Taree and follow the white sand coastline to Port Macquarie. Overnight: Port Macquarie, Country Comfort Port Macquarie (standard) or Rydges Port Macquarie (B&B)

DAY 3: PORT MACQUARIE-COFFS HARBOR (110 miles/2 hrs)

Depart Port Macquarie and rejoin the Pacific Highway. Travel via Nambucca Heads to Coffs Harbor. Overnight: Coffs Harbor, Novotel Pacific Bay Resort (standard) or Santa Fe (B&B)

DAY 4: COFFS HARBOR-BYRON BAY (149 miles/31/2 hrs)

Depart Coffs Harbor via Maclean. Take a detour by joining the coast road to Yamba - a scenic surfing and holiday resort. Rejoin the Pacific Highway and travel to Ballina. Travel along the coast road through Lennox Head, to Byron Bay. Overnight: Byron Bay, The Byron at Byron (standard) or Peppers Casuarina Lodge (B&B) for 2 nights

DAY 5: BYRON BAY AT LEISURE

Explore Byron Bay and its surrounds at your leisure. Local activities abound, from tandem hang-gliding and parachuting to kayaking, surfing (or learning to surf ), bicycling or horseriding. Visit the marine park at Julian Rocks, offering scuba divers and snorkelers amazing scenery. Walk to the top of the Cape for stunning coastal views. The lighthouse is the spot to whale watch (activities, own expense).

DAY 6: BYRON BAY-BRISBANE (118 miles/3 hrs)

Join the Gold Coast Highway en route to Brisbane. You may wish to stop at Surfers Paradise, or see amazing dolphins at Seaworld (activities, own expense).

Departs: Daily