Dalby to Hervey Bay road trip: Distance, time & best stops

The Dalby to Hervey Bay drive covers a distance of 329km in a driving time of around 3h46m. Top road trip stops to add to the itinerary include Kingaroy and Maryborough.

A road trip from Dalby to Hervey Bay takes you through some quiet stretches of country Queensland. But there’s a surprising amount to see and do along the route.

For Dalby accommodation deals, check out the options here.

Hervey Bay is the major gateway to K’gari (formerly Fraser Island). K’gari tours are best booked ahead of arriving in the city.

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.

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.

This guide should help you plan your perfect Dalby to Hervey Bay 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.

Dalby to Hervey Bay distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Dalby to Hervey Bay is 329km. This makes for a driving time of around three hours and 46 minutes. Obviously, you may want to make a few road trip stops along the way.

The best things to do in Dalby include visiting Jimbour House and Pioneer Park Museum.

Options for an overnight stay in Dalby include the pool-equipped Dalby Manor Motor Inn and the budget-friendly Dalby Tourist Park.

Attractions between Dalby and Hervey Bay: Bell and Bunya Mountains National Park

From Dalby, head north-east along the Bunya Highway towards Bell. There are a couple of places to get something to eat here, but the quirkiest attraction is the Biblical Garden at the Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church.

Bell can be used as a base for exploring Bunya Mountains National Park. There are three campgrounds and several walking trails here. The challenging 9.6km return walk from Westcott to Cherry Plain is arguably the best bet on the western side of the park.

Otherwise, the route crosses the Boyne River and heads into Kumbia, which has the practically obligatory small town pub and golf course combo.

Dalby to Hervey Bay drive: Kingaroy to Goomeri

Before entering Kingaroy, you’ll come to the Kingsley Grove Estate Winery. It’s open Thursday to Monday from 11am to 4pm.

The best things to do in Kingaroy include stargazing at the Kingaroy Observatory and scoffing fresh peanuts from the semi-legendary Peanut Van.

For those interested in Queensland history, there are plenty of heritage buildings to admire, and the machinery-heavy Kingaroy Heritage Museum inside the town’s former powerhouse.

Highly-rated Kingaroy accommodation options include the Burke and Wills Motor Inn, Room Motels Kingaroy and the Kingaroy Country Motel.

Leave town on the occasionally windy Kingaroy-Barkers Creek Road, then join the Burnett Highway at Sandy Ridges. Heading north, you’ll pass Cherbourg National Park, which is set up for preservation rather than tourism.

Lake Barambah is a more attractive detour. Created by the Bjelke-Peterson Dam, this lake is a popular spot for fishing and watersports.

There are also several wineries around the lakeside town of Moffatdale. You can go tasting at Nuova Scuola Wines, Dusty Hill Vineyard and Moffatdale Ridge.

The next town is Goomeri. There’s a swimming pool here, but it’s more important as the junction with the Wide Bay Highway, which takes you towards the coast.

Dalby to Hervey Bay road trip: Wide Bay Highway

A possible stop along the Wide Bay Highway is Kilkivan, where you can walk or cycle part of the Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail, refuel, and get some snacks at the Kilkivan General Store.

Later on, turn north along the Bauple-Woologa Road, then again up Netherby Road through the village of Gundiah. By now, you’re running parallel to the Bruce Highway, which you finally join at Tiaro.

Dalby to Hervey Bay drive: Tiaro to Hervey Bay

Plough on up the highway, and you’ll reach historic Maryborough.

Things to do in Maryborough include learning about the town’s river port backstory at the Bond Store Museum and celebrating all things Mary Poppins at the Story Bank.

For Maryborough accommodation offering value for money, try the Mineral Sands Motel and McNevins.

It’s another 34km to Hervey Bay along the Maryborough-Hervey Bay road.

This goes past horse-riding hotspots Susan River Homestead and Wide Bay Equestrian Park.

Depending on which part of Hervey Bay you’re heading for, you might come in along the Booral Road. In which case, the Pir’ri Walking Track on the River Heads Road is a decent place for spotting koalas.

Top things to do in Hervey Bay include the Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens, Wetside Water Park and Hervey Bay Historical Village.

Book these 8 Hervey Bay experiences now

1. Great Sandy Strait wildlife cruise – with a great chance of spotting dingos or dugongs.
2. All-inclusive Fraser Island day tour – with pick-up at your accommodation.
3. Fraser Island two day tour – see much more.
4. Fun cruise – get close to dolphins and turtles while lounging in the boom netting.
5. Sunset cruise.
6. Dolphin sailing adventure.
7. Whale-watching – this is arguably the best place in Australia to spot humpback whales.
8. Fraser Island west coast cruise – with lunch & kayaking.

For experiences from Hervey Bay, try a one day Fraser Island tour, a whale-watching cruise or a sunset cruise.

Good Hervey Bay accommodation options include the apartment-style Mantra Hervey Bay, the Discovery Parks holiday park and the very highly-rated Akama Resort.