Caloundra to Hervey Bay road trip: Distance, time & best stops
The best stops to add to a Caloundra to Hervey Bay road trip itinerary include Buderim Falls, Rainbow Beach and Maryborough. By car, the distance from Caloundra to Hervey Bay is 214km and driving time around 2h30m.
A Caloundra to Hervey Bay road trip brings you from the southern end of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to one of the most popular tourist spots on the east coast of Australia.
Caloundra, meanwhile, brings several beaches, jetski tours, waterways cruises and kayak hire. For top Caloundra accommodation choices, hunt here.
Hervey Bay is the major gateway to K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) in Queensland. K’gari tours are best booked ahead of arriving in the city.
Pick the best K’gari/ Fraser Island tour for you
- HIGHLIGHTS PACKAGE: One day coach tour from Hervey Bay.
- FROM THE SOUTH: One day 4WD tour from Rainbow Beach.
- PACK MORE IN: Two day tour, staying at K’gari Beach Resort.
- BEACHY: Boat cruise with west coast beach stops.
- BACKPACKERS: Three day, drive-yourself camping adventure from Hervey Bay. Or similar from Rainbow Beach.
- MORE LUXURIOUS: Three day adventure, staying at the Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Hervey Bay also offers sunset cruises, whale-watching and wildlife cruises in the Great Sandy Strait. To pick out Hervey Bay experiences that pique your interest, look here. For Hervey Bay accommodation, nosy around here.
However, there are several excellent attractions between Caloundra and Hervey Bay. This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Caloundra to Hervey Bay road trip itinerary.
Caloundra to Hervey Bay distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Caloundra to Hervey Bay is 214km. This makes for a driving time of around two hours and 30 minutes.
Good road trip stops between Caloundra and Hervey Bay include the Buderim Falls, Rainbow Beach and Maryborough.
Caloundra checklist: 5 fab experiences to book in advance
1. Kayak hire or paddleboard rental at Golden Beach. 2. Self-guided scavenger hunt. 3. Half day Pummicestone Passage jetski tour. 4. Waterways cruise. 5. Two hour Efoil lesson.
Where to stay in Caloundra
The best accommodation options in Caloundra are:
- For a big lagoon pool: Ramada Resort by Wyndham Golden Beach.
- For a sensational waterfront location: Watermark Caloundra.
- For a prime spot at Kings Beach: Rolling Surf Resort.
- For high quality apartments: Rumba Beach Resort.
- For a solid, affordable motel: Moffat Beach Motel.
The quickest route from Caloundra to Hervey Bay leaves along the Caloundra Road, then heads north along the Bruce Highway. This passes through some of the less celebrated sections of the Sunshine Coast, rather than the better-known beach towns.
There are still some attractions close to the highway, though. You might be interested in the Aussie World theme park near Caloundra or Buderim Falls in Buderim.
12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now
- Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour.
- Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades.
- Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
- Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour.
- Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
- Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
- Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight.
- Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
- Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour.
- Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
- Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour.
- Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.
Yandina brings up Asian cooking classes at Spirit House, walks on Mount Ninderry, all things ginger on tours of the Ginger Factory and picture-perfect swimming at Wappa Falls.
You can also shop at the Yandina Markets, but the Eumundi Markets are a better experience.
Caloundra to Hervey Bay drive: Eumundi to Rainbow Beach
Heading north, you might enjoy the beautifully-designed Noosa Botanic Gardens in Cooroy. Gympie, meanwhile, brings the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum and Mary Valley Rattler steam train.
Well reviewed Gympie accommodation includes the Gympie Muster Inn and the Shady Rest Motel.
Gympie is also where you turn-off for Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach.
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 has grown considerably, and now offers much more than the barge to Fraser Island. Activities on offer include a two hour surfing lesson, kayaking with dolphins or stand-up paddleboarding.
If going to Fraser Island, there are multiple tour options. Pick between a one day Fraser Island coach tour, a two day bus trip or a three day tagalong trip. The latter allows you to drive your own 4WD vehicle behind a guide vehicle.
Rainbow Beach accommodation favourites include backpacker joint Pippies Beach House, the swisher Plantation Resort and the Ocean Palms Resort, with its sea view balconies.
Click through for the next section: Maryborough and Hervey Bay