Bundaberg to Gladstone: How long is the drive, and where to stop on the way?
The drive from Bundaberg to Gladstone is 186km in distance. That means a Bundaberg to Gladstone driving time of around 2h10m. Potential stops along the way include Moore Park Beach, Warro National Park, Agnes Water and Lake Awoonga.
Between Fraser Island and the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, there’s an awful lot of territory that travellers tend to skip through. There are several sizable cities on between Hervey Bay and Airlie Beach, though, all of which have something to offer.
Bundaberg brings rum distillery tours, Lady Musgrave Island day trips, ginger beer brewery tastings and farm experiences.
Fix up your hotel in advance for the best Gladstone accommodation deals.
Bundaberg to Gladstone distance and driving time
After the drive from Hervey Bay to Bundaberg, the next major stop on a Hervey Bay to Rockhampton road trip is Gladstone.
The drive from Bundaberg to Gladstone is 186km in distance. This leads to a Bundaberg to Gladstone driving time of around two hours and ten minutes.
6 Bundaberg experiences to make the most of your free time
- (Highly recommended ✅) Tour – with tastings – at the Bundaberg rum distillery.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Day trip to Lady Musgrave Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Fly out to Lady Elliot Island for a day on the reef.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a four hour whale watching cruise with lunch.
- Brewery tasting tour – including the famous Bundaberg ginger beer.
- Farm life experience at Splitters Farm.
Unusually for the drive up the Queensland coast, a good chunk of the Bundaberg to Gladstone journey is not along the ubiquitous Bruce Highway. The section of the Bruce Highway from Gin Gin to Miriam Vale gets skipped. This means you miss Lake Monduran and Warro National Park.
Quickest route from Bundaberg to Gladstone by car
Instead, the quickest route from Bundaberg to Gladstone heads up Rosedale Road and Tableland Road. This skirts closer to the coast via Meadowvale, Avonvale, Yandaran and Watalgan on the way to Rosedale. Moore Park Beach is a potential detour on this section of the journey.
After Rosedale, the Bundaberg to Gladstone drive passes through Berajondo and Mount Maria. It then hits Taunton and Mount Tom before rejoining the Bruce Highway at Miriam Vale. Agnes Water, the Town of 1770 and Eurimbula National Park are highly recommended diversions on this section. Turn the journey into a proper road trip, and this area offers several great experiences.
What to book in 1770/ Agnes Water before you arrive
- See the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef – on a Lady Musgrave Island day tour.
- Hire a scooter – and pootle around the back lanes looking for kangaroos.
- Kick back with sparkling wine on a sunset cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Travel on land and water, and try sandboarding – on a quirky full day amphibious vehicle tour.
- Or take a shorter wildlife-spotting coastline tour, with lunch.
- Get the best deals on your accommodation.
Bundaberg to Gladstone drive: Which way at Benaraby?
From Miriam Vale, the A1 goes through Boronen and Iveragh before reaching Benaraby. At Benaraby, there are choices in all directions. Veer west to continue on the Bruce Highway towards Rockhampton. Dogleg south to get to Lake Awoonga. Divert north east for Gladstone’s beach suburb Tannum Sands. And plough straight north to hit Gladstone.
Things to do in Gladstone include industrial tours and the Maritime Museum. But you’re better off treating Gladstone as the departure point for Curtis Island. Or taking the Heron Island ferry to Heron Island and Wilson Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
More Gladstone road trips
Biloela to Gladstone: Distance 121km, driving time 1h24m.
Brisbane to Gladstone: Distance 531km, driving time 6h32m.
Gladstone to Mackay: Distance 443km, driving time 4h53m.
Gladstone to Rockhampton: Distance 132km, driving time 1h28m.
Hervey Bay to Gladstone: Distance 281km, driving time 3h18m.