Bundaberg to Biloela road trip: Distance, time & best stops
The best stops to add to a Bundaberg to Biloela road trip are 1770 and Calliope. By car, the distance from Bundaberg to Biloela is 278km, with a driving time of around 3h4m.
Planning a Bundaberg to Biloela road trip itinerary
The drive from Bundaberg to Biloela connects Australia’s rum-making capital to the biggest town in Queensland’s Banana Shire.
Bundaberg offers Bundaberg Rum distillery tours and Lady Musgrave Island day trips. You can also choose turtle-watching at Mon Repos, beach time at Bargara or strawberry-picking at Tinaberries. For Bundaberg accommodation options, look over here.
For Biloela accommodation, hunt here.
This guide should help you plan your perfect Bundaberg to Biloela road trip itinerary.
Click through on the individual places and attractions for more detailed, specific information.
If you need to hire a car, find the best rental deals. And don’t forget to do all your pre-road trip shopping.
Bundaberg to Biloela distance and driving time
By car along sealed roads, the distance from Bundaberg to Biloela is 278km. That makes for a driving time of around three hours and four minutes.
6 Bundaberg experiences to make the most of your free time
- (Highly recommended ✅) Tour – with tastings – at the Bundaberg rum distillery.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Day trip to Lady Musgrave Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Fly out to Lady Elliot Island for a day on the reef.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a four hour whale watching cruise with lunch.
- Brewery tasting tour – including the famous Bundaberg ginger beer.
- Farm life experience at Splitters Farm.
In Bundaberg, you can taste Australia’s most-beloved rum on the Bundaberg Rum distillery tours. You can also watch turtles give birth or hatch at Mon Repos, enjoy some time on the beach at Bargara, or go strawberry-picking at Tinaberries.
Excellent value Bundaberg accommodation includes the Villa Mirasol Motor Inn, Bundaberg Spanish Motor Inn and Bundaberg Big4 Cane Village Holiday Park.
Bundaberg to Biloela road trip: Bundaberg to Gladstone
After leaving Bundaberg, the quickest route north joins the Bruce Highway at Miriam Vale. However, you can be forgiven for wanting to detour towards the gorgeous twin towns of Agnes Water and 1770, which are flanked by wildlife-heavy Eurimbula National 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.
Activities in Agnes Water and 1770 include amphibious vehicle tours, scooter tours, sunset cruises and bike rentals.
For Agnes Water and 1770 accommodation, go for the pool-focused 1770 Lagoons Central Apartment Resort or the kid-friendly NRMA Agnes Water Holiday Park.
Further north, Gladstone is an industrial city, and you’re better off staying in beach suburb Tannum Sands.
Things to do in Gladstone include visiting the Maritime Museum and taking the ferry to Curtis Island. But the main reason to visit is taking the Heron Island ferry to Heron Island and Wilson Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Gladstone accommodation picks include the budget-friendly Aaron Motel, the highly-regarded Harbour Sails Motor Inn and the spacious Oaks Gladstone Grand Hotel.
Bundaberg to Biloela drive: Calliope to Biloela
However, you don’t need to go into Gladstone in order to continue on to Biloela. The Dawson Highway branches off the Bruce Highway just to the south in Calliope.
Calliope is effectively a suburb of Gladstone, but the Calliope River Historical Village is worth a look. This open air museum brings together historic buildings from around the Gladstone region, preserving them as a collection.
The Dawson Highway follows the Callipe River through the Callide Timber Reserve towards Callide.
Here, you’ll find the Bilburnie Homestead, which is part cattle farm, part art gallery, part heritage museum and part hang-out for local musicians.
Before entering Biloela, you’ll cross Callide Creek and pass Mount Murchison.
Top attractions in Biloela include the Queensland Heritage Park, the giant Spirit of the Land mural across the water tank and kayaking on Lake Callide.
Where to stay in Biloela
The best Biloela accommodation choices are:
- For solid quality (and a pool) at low prices: Hotel Settlers.
- For the highest rating from guests: The Haven Biloela.
- For lakeside location: Lake Callide Retreat.
- For central location: Apollo Motel.
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