Rockhampton to Airlie Beach road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Rockhampton to Airlie Beach road trip detours
The Mackay to Airlie Beach leg of the drive is 151km long. But you may wish to detour east to Cape Hillsborough where kangaroos hang out on the beach. Stay at the Cape Hillsborough caravan park if so.
Go inland instead, and you’ve got the Eungella National Park. Here, you’ll find fabulous swimming holes at Finch Hatton Gorge and a platypus viewing platform over the Broken River.
The biggest town between Mackay and Airlie Beach is Proserpine. If you want flights to Airlie Beach, Proserpine is also home to the closest airport. Here, you can do a crocodile-spotting cruise on the Proserpine River. It’s also at Proserpine where you branch off the Bruce Highway, passing through Cannonvale before arriving in Airlie Beach. It’s about 23 minutes from Proserpine to Airlie Beach.
Which Whitsundays cruise should I choose?
- For those with limited time: Whitehaven Beach half day tour.
- For the highlights reel: Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island day trip.
- To see the reef two ways: High speed Whitsundays cruise plus scenic reef flight combo.
- For romance, sparkling wine and sunset under sail: Multi-beach and reef Lady Enid cruise.
- To see several islands: Sailing and snorkelling adventure.
- For an overnight sailing adventure: Matador two day yacht cruise.
Airlie Beach accommodation picks
Specialist Australian booking site Wotif offers Airlie Beach accommodation for from $114 a night. You can look through the best deals here.
However, some Airlie Beach accommodation options are worth highlighting:
- On a budget: Tasman Holiday Parks Airlie Beach.
- For families: Big4 Adventure Whitsundays Resort.
- For waterfront apartments: At Marina Shores.
- For pampering: Coral Sea Marina Resort.
- For great value: Colonial Palms Motor Inn.
More Queensland travel
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Gorge on chocolate and cheese at Gallo Dairyland in the Atherton Tableland.
How long is the Brisbane to Chinchilla section of the Brisbane to Charleville drive?
Take the Green Island ferry for a quick trip to the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns.
Learn about the 1916 Clermont flood on the drive from Emerald to Charters Towers.