Brisbane to Airlie Beach road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Attractions between Brisbane and Mackay: Agnes Water and Gladstone
The next really worthwhile detour comes at Miriam Vale. Up-and-coming twin towns Agnes Water and 1770 are flanked by the wildlife-packed Eurimbula National Park.
Experiences in Agnes Water and 1770 include amphibious vehicle tours, scooter tours, fishing charters, sunset cruises and bike rentals.
For Agnes Water and 1770 accommodation, try the pool-centric 1770 Lagoons Central Apartment Resort or the kid-friendly NRMA Agnes Water Holiday Park.
What to book in 1770/ Agnes Water before you arrive
- See the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef – on a Lady Musgrave Island day tour.
- Hire a scooter – and pootle around the back lanes looking for kangaroos.
- Kick back with sparkling wine on a sunset cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Travel on land and water, and try sandboarding – on a quirky full day amphibious vehicle tour.
- Or take a shorter wildlife-spotting coastline tour, with lunch.
- Get the best deals on your accommodation.
It’s certainly a more appealing base than industrial city Gladstone to the north, although if you’re going to stay the night in Gladstone, beach suburb Tannum Sands has more charm.
Things to do in Gladstone include the Maritime Museum and taking the ferry to Curtis Island. But the best reason to visit is taking the Heron Island ferry to Heron Island and Wilson Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Gladstone accommodation options include the affordable Aaron Motel, the well-reviewed Harbour Sails Motor Inn and the spacious Oaks Gladstone Grand Hotel.
Click through for the next section: Rockhampton and Yeppoon.