Ballina to Hervey Bay road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Ballina to Hervey Bay drive: Eumundi to Rainbow Beach

Heading north, you might enjoy the beautifully-designed Noosa Botanic Gardens in Cooroy. Gympie, meanwhile, brings the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum and Mary Valley Rattler steam train.

Well reviewed Gympie accommodation includes the Gympie Muster Inn and the Shady Rest Motel.

Gympie is also where you turn-off for Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach.

Kayaking with dolphins – including a 4WD beach driving adventure.
Beginner surfing lessons – you’ll be standing on the board by the end.
Stand-up paddleboarding and 4WD tour combo – great value day out.
Fraser Island day tour – visiting the island’s main highlights.
Fraser Island three day tour – covering parts of the island most visitors miss.

Rainbow Beach has grown considerably, and now offers much more than the barge to Fraser Island. Activities on offer include a two hour surfing lesson, kayaking with dolphins or stand-up paddleboarding.

If going to Fraser Island, there are multiple tour options. Pick between a one day Fraser Island coach tour, a two day bus trip or a three day tagalong trip. The latter allows you to drive your own 4WD vehicle behind a guide vehicle.

Rainbow Beach accommodation favourites include backpacker joint Pippies Beach House, the swisher Plantation Resort and the Ocean Palms Resort, with its sea view balconies.

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