Car Hire Sydney to Gold Coast

Can you rent a car from Sydney to Gold Coast?

Yes, you can rent a car from one of Redspot’s Sydney branches and head towards the Gold Coast at your leisure! We’re here to help you have a smooth and easy road trip with our convenient one-way rentals. Simply contact our friendly expert team via phone, email or online contact form to get red-y to roll. 

One-way rental Sydney to Gold Coast

Set off on your own terms with our flexible one-way rental car hire. It’s easy to pick up a Redspot vehicle from any of our Sydney branches and drop it off in the Gold Coast without needing to backtrack. Save time, money and fuel with just one trip. 

Just go to the extras section in your online booking form, check the ‘One Way Fee’ box, and you’re ready to roll! 

Refuel your way with your choice of Redspot refuel options. We’ll accommodate your fuel preferences, whether you prefer to pre-pay, pay after return, or fill up yourself. We also offer practical car rental accessories, from hired baby seats to Toll Pass Waivers to make your journey smoother. 

Unlimited km for standard passenger and leisure Redspot vehicles across Australia also means you can keep the adventure going for longer – distance is no issue. If you’re hiring a van, truck or ute, however, km restrictions may apply depending on your plans. Please get in touch with our friendly team on 1300 668 810 to confirm, so you can get going with ease. 

Note: 24/7 vehicle drop-offs are available unless specified. After-hours pickup available upon request (subject to availability).

One-Way Rentals Made Easy – A Small Relocation Fee for Huge Convenience

Go further, without the detour! With Redspot’s flexible one-way rentals, you can explore Australia your way, no need to circle back. You’ll save on time, fuel, and effort, making the most of every journey on the open Aussie road.

To help us keep our fleet moving, a small relocation fee may apply. But if your route helps us too, we may be able to waive it – simply contact our friendly team on 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to find out.

How long does it take to drive from Sydney to Gold Coast?

Driving from Sydney to the Gold Coast takes roughly 9 hours, but we recommend turning it into a mini adventure. Plan for a few rest stops, take detours off the highway, and enjoy the roadside discoveries that make an Aussie road trip so memorable.

Is it better to drive or fly from Sydney to Gold Coast?

Deciding whether to drive or fly from Sydney to the Gold Coast? It really comes down to your budget and how you like to travel. Sure, flights are faster — but between airport lines, costly fares and public transport at both ends, it can feel more like a detour than a shortcut.

Pick up a car hire instead and take the wheel of your own adventure. With the freedom to stop, explore and soak in the journey, it’s the kind of trip you’ll actually remember. (We might be a little biased, but with over 35 years in Aussie car hire, we know a great drive when we see one!)

Redspot Driver Facts.

Rev-Up for Young Drivers:

We are one of the few car rental companies to have a minimum driver age of 21 (mine-spec and commercial vehicles included).

Maximum Age is No Barrier:

With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.

Local P-Platers and Full Licences:

Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light for leisure, commercial and mine-spec vehicles – one of the few Aussie companies that do!
Our safety rules include:

• You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
• Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.

Overseas visitors welcome:

Explore every Aussie hotspot with Redspot! Temporary overseas visitors can hire a car with:

• A full valid driver’s licence and passport
• Licences must have photo identification
• If the licence is not in English then you will need an official translated document from your embassy or road traffic authority in your home country
• Some countries may need to apply for an international driver’s permit

Family-friendly car hire:

Redspot is a family-run business and selects modern SUVs, sedans and people carriers for family comfort. With a range of baby, child and booster seats available to hire, the little ones don’t miss out.

Credit Card Condition:

Cover your back and ours. All rental cars require a credit card at pick-up for a pre-authorisation.

Fuel Flexibility:

Pre-pay, post-pay or refuel your rental car yourself. Redspot makes it easy to keep a full tank for an Australian adventure.

Local P-Platers and Full Licences:

Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light – one of the few Aussie companies that do! Our safety rules include:

• You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
• Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.

Maximum age is no barrier:

With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.

Toll-road Tricks:

Buy peace of mind with a Redspot toll road waiver and say goodbye to unexpected charges.

Meet Our Fleet

Pick up your Redspot rental from any of our 5 branches across Sydney. From 12-seater minibus hires to classic sedans, our versatile fleet has your dream set of wheels ready to cruise all the way to sunny Queensland.

Minibus Hire

Get the road trip party going with our 8-12 seater minibus fleet. Perfect for getting your whole crew from Sydney to the Gold Coast in comfort and style, with room for your luggage too!

SUV Hire

From city streets to winding coastal roads, our SUV car hire handles it all in style. Cruise in comfort with smart features and enough boot space to bring home everything from outlet shopping hauls to beachside picnic spreads.

Sedan Hire

Hit the coast in style with one of our quality sedans. With sleek modern designs, spacious interiors and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available for hands-free navigation, you can keep rolling north in the iconic 5-seater ride that we know and love.

Baby seats and other accessories

Make family getaways simple with our child-friendly car hire extras. Whether you need a baby seat, booster or child seat hire, we’ve got the essentials to keep your little adventurers safe and smiling.Pick up handy rental car add-ons like our Toll Road Waiver and refuel options so you can spend more time making memories and less time sweating the small stuff.

From Old Place to New, Moving House is Easy with One-Way Rentals

Making the move from the bustle of Sydney to enjoy the beaches of the Gold Coast? That’s fantastic!

When you’re in the middle of a new chapter of your life, the last thing you should be stressing about is returning your hired car. Ditch the dramas and go one-way with Redspot. 

One-way Moving House Car Hire

Whether you need a roomy SUV or a reliable sedan, your personal belongings are covered for the big move. Simply pick up a Sydney Airport hire car, CBD rental or a ride from Mascot or Lidcombe, load up your gear and head north to your new life in the Gold Coast. Our friendly team at one of our Gold Coast branches will be waiting to take the car hire off your hands so you can dive straight into unpacking and settling in.

One-Way Trucks and Moving Accessories

Comfy couch you can’t live without? Sorted. Dream fridge you finally saved up for? Packed and ready.

With a range of trucks, utes, and handy moving accessories available from our Lidcombe and Port Macquarie branches, you can flex those muscles and do the big move your way. No dramas and no backtracking, thanks to our one-way truck hire.

Our trucks come with a daily kilometre allowance of 100 km, with a small fee for extra distance depending on the vehicle. Ideal if you’re sticking to a local move or want to save on removalists.

Please get in touch with our friendly team on 1300 668 810 to confirm, so you can get going with ease.

Redspot: Where every rental is spot-on.

Fully Aussie-owned and operated

Founded, owned and operated by local Aussie family for over 35 years!

Personalised care

Our small, dedicated teams in over 40 spots around Australia are here to help out wherever the road takes you.

Amazing value

Get the most bang for your buck with our all-inclusive packages and customisable options in between. 

No hidden costs

All taxes and GST with no extra fees are included in our rates.

24/7 roadside assistance

All our rental cars are covered by 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance.

Load up with Redspot’s red-hot value packages!

We’ve got your back with 24/7 roadside assistance so you never have to worry about being stranded. For an even smoother car rental experience, we have designed three packages for damage and liability coverage and extra services!
Package prices will be calculated based on the rental period and the vehicle you select. Proceed to the car rental booking page for a quote. 

Standard Package

Need something a little more simple but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you. This includes:

• No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
• $5,200 to $6,200 damage liability excess*
• GST-inclusive
• Unlimited km allowance
• Additional drivers fee
• No cancellation fees
• No amendment fees
• Contract fee **
• Premium location fee***
• Registration recovery fee****
• Book now, pay later

Super Package

More cover, less cost. Redspot’s Super Package gives you reduced damage liability and extra perks—perfect if you want more peace of mind without going all-out. This includes:

• No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
• $1,950 to $2,750 damage liability excess*
• GST-inclusive
• Unlimited km allowance
• Free additional drivers
• No cancellation fees
• No amendment fees
• Contract fee **
• Premium location fee***
• Registration recovery fee****
• Book now, pay later

Executive Package

This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built-in, our good value car rental package includes:

• No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
• $0 standard liability excess*
• Additional windshield and headlight cover
• GST-inclusive
• Unlimited km allowance
• Free additional drivers
• No cancellation fees
• No amendment fees
• Contract fee **
• Premium location fee***
• Registration recovery fee****
• Book now, pay later

Terminology Key.

Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:

*Damage liability excess: ‘Amount reduced by’ is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected. See our Car Rental Cover page for more information.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.

At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.

BOOK WITH US!

6 Popular Stops from Sydney to the Gold Coast

Whether you’re heading out to the Gold Coast from Sydney for a weekend holiday, visiting family, or just taking a business trip, there’s plenty to see on the road north. Stop for a swim in stunning beaches and ocean pools, discover some of NSW’s most charming towns, or just kick back with a scenic view that makes the drive worth it.

Terrigal

Stop by the Central Coast to enjoy a beach getaway with a hint of cosmopolitan vibes. Take a quick swim in Terrigal Beach, head up the Skillion for uninterrupted coastline views, or go fishing and birdwatching in the nearby lagoons and nature reserves. Terrigal is well patrolled, with plenty of lifeguards during peak season,  making it ideal for first-time beachgoers and families.

Newcastle

Discover one of New South Wales’ best-kept secrets with a visit to Newcastle. Stroll along the ANZAC Memorial Walk for panoramic ocean views, go paragliding from Strzelecki Lookout, or treat yourself to delicious local eats. Whether you’re after slow, leisurely beach days or scenic hikes to Fort Scratchley, Newcastle is worth the detour. 

Barrington Tops National Park

While you’re in the area, take the chance to explore Barrington Tops National Park, one of Australia’s most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage-listed regions. Hike through vibrant rainforests, follow winding trails past cascading waterfalls, and soak up the serenity of this ancient natural wonder – you won’t want to forget your camera for this one.

Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie is famous for its tranquil beaches and a strong dedication to wildlife preservation. At the signature Koala Conservation Hospital, you can encounter rescued koalas up close and learn more about their natural habitat. The Billabong Zoo gives you plenty of opportunities to meet with our most iconic wildlife face-to-face – perfect for ticking off your Aussie bucket list.

Ballina

It’s easy to know you’ve reached Ballina, just keep your eyes open for the unmistakable 9-metre-high Big Prawn! This sunny pit stop boasts golden beaches, fresh local produce and outdoor fun to suit every speed. Savour the slow life with a cruise along the Richmond River or hit the water for fishing, or switch gears for a thrilling day at the Ballina Waterslides. 

Tweed Heads

You’ll find Tweed Heads just before you hit the Gold Coast! This vibrant coastal town offers fantastic opportunities for whale watching, as well as marine tours that let you swim with humpback whales for an unforgettable experience. Keep your cameras ready for the sweeping ocean views from Point Danger Lighthouse, or enjoy a tranquil day paddle boarding down the Tweed River.