Gladstone to Mackay road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
The Gladstone to Mackay drive covers is 443km in distance, with a driving time of around 4h53m. The best stops on a Gladstone to Mackay road trip itinerary include Yeppoon and the Capricorn Caves.
The Gladstone to Mackay drive goes through a lot of the areas of Queensland that many tourists like to tackle as quickly as possible. Many are trying to cover the ground from Hervey Bay to Airlie Beach, happy to ignore the section between Fraser Island and the Whitsundays.
The best thing to do in Mackay is a snorkelling cruise around the South Cumberland Islands.
This is not a mistake, per se. Queensland’s highlights are indisputably elsewhere. But there are still a few lovely spots and good attractions between Gladstone and Mackay. And Mackay is home to a fantastic – and good value – Whitsunday Islands snorkelling cruise.
To choose from the best Mackay tours and experiences, head this way. To select the right Mackay accommodation for you, book here.
Gladstone to Mackay distance and driving time
The Gladstone to Mackay drive is 443km in distance, with a driving time of four hours and 53 minutes.
The first leg of the road trip, from Gladstone to Rockhampton, takes just under an hour and a half. Curtis Island and the Rundle Range National Park are feasible detours, but the Calliope Conservation Park in Calliope is the best place to stretch the legs en route.
Gladstone to Mackay road trip: Rockhampton or Yeppoon?
Things to do in Rockhampton include the Rockhampton Heritage Village and the Dreamtime Cultural Centre. You might also like to explore the Mount Archer National Park, but if planning to break the journey, seaside Yeppoon is a more attractive option.
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 Yeppoon include swimming in the Yeppoon Lagoon, taking the ferry to Great Keppel Island and exploring the Byfield National Park. You can also try Lammermoor Beach, Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary and spearfishing charters.
Where to stay in Yeppoon
The top Yeppoon accommodation options are:
- For a dependable motel with a pool: Coast Motel.
- For high quality apartments near Yeppoon Lagoon: Salt Yeppoon.
- For Mediterranean-style villas: Villa Mar Colina.
- For a centrally-located boutique resort: Coral Inn Boutique Resort.
Whether going from Yeppoon to Mackay or Rockhampton to Mackay, the next leg of the Gladstone to Mackay drive is famously dull.
Click through to the next section: Clairview and Sarina.