Bundaberg to Townsville road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
The best stops on a Bundaberg to Townsville road trip itinerary include Noosa, Fraser Island, Bundaberg and the Whitsundays. The distance from Bundaberg to Townsville is 1,005km, with a driving time of around 11h10m.
This independent, Australia travel expert-researched guide is aimed at travellers planning a road trip itinerary from Bundaberg to Townsville in Queensland.
Planning a Bundaberg to Townsville road trip itinerary
A Bundaberg to Townsville road trip takes you from Queensland’s famous rum-making city to the biggest city in North Queensland
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 strawberry-picking at Tinaberries.
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.
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 Townsville driving holiday.
Bundaberg to Townsville distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Bundaberg to Townsville is 1,005km. This makes for an approximate Bundaberg to Townsville driving time of 11h10m.
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.
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.
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.
Bundaberg to Townsville 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.
Click through for the next section: Gladstone to Yeppoon.