Bundaberg to Emerald road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
The best stops on a Bundaberg to Emerald road trip itinerary include 1770, Tannum Sands and Blackdown Tableland National Park. The distance from Bundaberg to Emerald is 549km, with a driving time of around 5h54m.
Planning a Bundaberg to Emerald road trip itinerary
A Bundaberg to Emerald road trip takes you from Queensland’s famous rum-making city to a surprisingly interesting country town.
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.
Emerald offers a good botanic garden and the Outback Exploratorium. For Emerald accommodation, book here.
However, if you put together the right road trip itinerary, there are plenty of great stops along the way. Use this guide to help you plan the perfect Bundaberg to Emerald driving holiday.
Click through on the links for more detailed links about individual towns and attractions – and remember to stock up on your road trip essentials before setting off.
Bundaberg to Emerald distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Bundaberg to Emerald is 549km. This makes for an approximate Bundaberg to Emerald driving time of 5h54m.
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.
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.
Activities in Agnes Water and 1770 include amphibious vehicle tours, scooter tours, sunset cruises and bike rentals.
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.
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.
Bundaberg to Emerald road trip: 1770 to Gladstone
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 Emerald drive itinerary: Gladstone to Rockhampton
The drive from Gladstone to Rockhampton is frankly tedious. The best stop of an underwhelming bunch is the Calliope Conservation Park in Calliope.
The turn-off towards Emerald is just south of Rockhampton, but you may wish to go into the city anyway.
Things to do in Rockhampton once there include getting culture and heritage doses at the Dreamtime Cultural Centre and the Rockhampton Heritage Village.
Top experiences to book in and around Rockhampton
- (Highly recommended ✅) Great Keppel Island day trip – with lunch.
- Cathedral Cave tour at Capricorn Caves. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- 90 minute Deep Vault Cave and Flower Pot tour at Capricorn Caves.
- Time Safaris walking tour.
The best places to stay in Rockhampton, Queensland
The best Rockhampton accommodation choices are:
- For character and charm: Denison Boutique Hotel.
- For heritage: Quality Hotel Regent.
- For well-equipped apartments: Quest Rockhampton.
- For really good value: Rockhampton Serviced Apartments.
- For a great pool: Korte’s Resort.
Click through for the next section: Blackdown Tableland National Park.