Airlie Beach to Townsville road trip: Distance, driving time & stops
Airlie Beach to Townsville drive: Mount Inkerman and Ayr
There’s also the Mount Inkerman Scenic lookout, just before you cross the Burdekin River and enter Ayr. Things to do in Ayr, Queensland, include seeing the mosaics at the Ayr Nature Display and catching a movie at the Stardust Drive-In. You can also divert up towards Alva Beach, where diving trips to the SS Yongala Wreck depart from.
The best accommodation in Ayr
The top accommodation picks in Ayr are:
- For a family-friendly holiday park: Discovery Parks Ayr.
- For a motel that gets it right: Country Ayr Motel.
- For cheap rates and a pool: Ayr Max Motel.
From Ayr, it’s just over an hour’s drive to Townsville, with not an awful lot worth stopping for along the way.
6 Townsville experiences to book in advance
- Magnetic Island ferry tickets – head over to one of the most beautiful islands in Australia.
- SS Yongala wreck dive – sea how coral and marine life have made the shipwreck home.
- Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art cruise – witness the extraordinary underwater art project up close.
- Helicopter ride along the coast – get amazing views from above.
- Sunset sailing cruise – watch the colours over the water, with alcoholic drinks included.
- Jetski tour to Cape Pallarenda – whizz past beaches and giant boulders.
Townsville accommodation recommendations
The best bets for Townsville accommodation are…
- For beachside location: Water’s Edge The Strand.
- For a good value, well located motel: Yongala Lodge By The Strand.
- For a sassy, chic resort: Rambutan Resort.
- For families: Discovery Parks Townsville.
- For business-friendly apartments: Quest Townsville on Eyre.
If you don’t have a hire car, the bus from Airlie Beach to Townsville (or vice versa) takes around four hours and 30 minutes.
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