Gladstone to Airlie Beach road trip: Distance, driving time & stops

The best road trip stops to add to a Gladstone to Airlie Beach driving itinerary include Yeppoon, Mackay and Airlie Beach. The drive to Airlie Beach from Gladstone covers an 825km distance in a driving time of around 9h8m.

A Gladstone to Airlie Beach road trip covers a huge chunk of the Queensland coast. It can be seen as a leg on the longer Brisbane to Cairns drive, but realistically, you’re going to be making at least one stop along the way.

Get the best Whitsundays cruise deals

This road trip guide should help you pick out the spots for an overnight stay between Gladstone and Airlie Beach that best suit your tastes.

Airlie Beach brings Whitsunday Islands sailing and snorkelling cruises, coral and marine life viewing from a glass-bottom boat and day cruises to the staggering white sands of Whitehaven Beach. To explore the full range of Airlie Beach tours and experiences, investigate here. For Airlie Beach accommodation bargains, look here.

Gladstone to Airlie Beach distance and driving time

The distance from Gladstone to Airlie Beach is 825km. You can expect a driving time of around nine hours and eight minutes.

The best stops on a Gladstone to Airlie Beach road trip itinerary are Yeppoon and Mackay.

9 memory-making Airlie Beach experiences to add to your visit

Whitehaven Beach day cruise – with plenty of snorkelling thrown in.
Glass bottom boat tour – see coral and marine life without getting wet.
Heart Reef flight – see the islands and Great Barrier Reef from above before flying over Australia’s famous heart-shaped island.
Proserpine River crocodile safari – see the big crocs from a boat.
Whitsundays sunset cruise – with free snacks and sparkling wine.
Sailing on the Camira – glide around the Whitsunday Islands under sail.
Whizz around the islands on a guided jetski tour.
Waterfall explorer day tour – with swimming in Hinterland rock pools.
Enjoy high speed thrills on a jet boat ride.

Gladstone to Airlie Beach road trip: Rockhampton and Yeppoon

The first leg of the road trip is from Gladstone to Rockhampton. It’s a dull, uneventful slog, although you may like to stop at the Calliope Conservation Park in Calliope.

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.

Things to do in Rockhampton include the Dreamtime Cultural Centre and the Rockhampton Heritage Village.

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.

Rockhampton may be the biggest city in Central Queensland, but Yeppoon on the coast is a much nicer place to stay.

The Rockhampton to Yeppoon drive is a 35 minute detour off the Bruce Highway. The walking trails and birdwatcher-friendly lagoons of Baga National Park provide distraction along the way.

Things to do in Yeppoon include swimming in the Yeppoon Lagoon and heading to Great Keppel Island on the Great Keppel Island ferry. You can also try Lammermoor Beach, Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary and spearfishing charters.