The ute is said to have taken to high speed on the highway in the face of oncoming traffic while other drivers were forced to avoid it.
Police took the stand and blocked the northbound lane after dozens of calls to Triple Zero from citizens.
After a tense standoff between the officers and the vehicle, several police cars were hot on the driver’s heels as he tried to turn around and go back the way he came.
Witnesses Dylan Thomas, his brother Will and friend Elliott had a front row seat to the chase.
“I couldn’t believe it, we were only in Queensland for about 20 minutes and then all of a sudden we were stopped,” Thomas said.
“You see that red Commodore coming down, I just can’t believe it.”
A man in his 40s was pulled from the car, assaulted by police and detained near Pimpama.
Police said the car was not stolen.
The driver was taken to hospital for a check-up and will be interviewed by police.