Brisbane to 1770 road trip: Distance, driving time & best stops
Brisbane to 1770 drive: Gympie and Rainbow Beach
Keep going north and other road trip stops worth considering are the Noosa Botanic Gardens in Cooroy and the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum in Gympie.
Well-regarded Gympie motels include the Gympie Muster Inn and the Shady Rest Motel.
Gympie is where the Mary Valley Rattler steam train runs from. It’s also where you’ll find the turn-off for Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach.
Rainbow Beach is one of the two access points for Fraser Island, and there are multiple tours on offer. Pick between a one day Fraser Island coach tour, a two day bus trip or a three day tagalong trip, which allows you to drive your own 4WD vehicle.
There’s more to Rainbow Beach than the barge to Fraser Island, however. You can also look at a two hour surfing lesson, kayaking with dolphins or stand-up paddleboarding.
5 brilliant Rainbow Beach experiences you should book in advance
- 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 accommodation favourites include backpacker hangout Pippies Beach House, the much fancier Plantation Resort and the Ocean Palms Resort, which offers balconies with sea views.
Click through for the next section: Maryborough.