Bowen to Townsville drive: Distance, driving time and road trip stops

The Bowen to Townsville drive in Queensland is 201km in distance, with a Bowen to Townsville driving time of around 2h27. The best road trip stops include the Cape Upstart National Park, Mount Inkerman Scenic Lookout and SS Yongala diving trips from Alva Beach.

This independent, Australia travel expert-researched guide is aimed at travellers planning a road trip itinerary from Bowen to Townsville in Queensland. To just book Townsville accommodation, go here, and to look for the best tours and activities, go here.

To learn more about the Bowen to Townsville drive, including the distance, driving time and the best stops along the route, read on…

Planning a Bowen to Townsville road trip itinerary

The Bowen to Townsville drive is one you’ll undertake on the drive up the east coast of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns.

Bowen is the most northerly town in the Whitsundays region, a much more laid-back place than Airlie Beach. Townsville, meanwhile, is the biggest city in northern Queensland. Cairns may get the tourists, but Townsville is the business hub.

Townsville is where you can take the ferry to gorgeous Magnetic Island, enjoy sunset cruises and visit the Museum of Underwater Art. For more Townsville experiences, explore here. To ferret out the best Townsville accommodation deals, look here.

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.

Bowen to Townsville distance and driving time

The drive from Bowen to Townsville is 201km long, and almost entirely along the Bruce Highway. Covering that distance takes a driving time of around two hours and 27 minutes.

This is not the most attraction-packed stretch of Queensland. But there are a few options for Bowen to Townsville road trip stops that can help make a road trip of it.

Whether the diversions off the Bruce Highway are worthwhile will depend largely on personal taste. One potential option is the Flathead Fishing Hole at the mouth of the Elliot River, but there’s not a lot to do besides fishing. You can also go camping at Coconut Beach in the Cape Upstart National Park.

Bowen to Townsville drive: Mount Inkerman and Ayr

Before crossing the Burdekin River, you can opt to take in the view from the Mount Inkerman Scenic Lookout. But the best place to stop on the Bowen to Townsville drive is Ayr.

Things to do in Ayr, Queensland, include watching movies at the Stardust Drive-In and seeing the mosaics at the Ayr Nature Display.