Gladstone to Rockhampton, QLD: Distance, drive time & road trip attractions
The distance of the drive from Gladstone to Rockhampton is 132km. That’s a driving time of about one hour and 28 minutes. Attractions along the way include the Calliope Conservation Park.
The Gladstone to Rockhampton drive is one that many people driving up the Queensland coast will skip. Gladstone is an industrial city, and its coastal satellite towns such as Tannum Sands tend to fall off the tourist radar.
Rockhampton offers fascinating history walks and cave tours. To source the best Rockhampton accommodation deals, go here.
Book your Rockhampton accommodation in advance for the best deals.
Most will drive straight through from Hervey Bay to Rockhampton, skipping Bundaberg and Gladstone. Both cities have something to offer, but neither are exactly must-sees. This is not the stretch of Queensland that most visitors choose to spend their time in.
Gladstone to Rockhampton distance and driving time
If you are taking your time going up the east coast, and take the time to stop in Gladstone, the Gladstone to Rockhampton drive is fairly short.
The Gladstone to Rockhampton driving distance is 132km. That’s easily doable in one stint at the wheel. The Gladstone to Rockhampton driving time is around one hour and 28 minutes.
Unless you take a significant detour to Curtis Island or the Rundle Range National Park, there’s not an awful lot to see along the way.
Gladstone to Rockhampton driving route
The route starts along State Route 58 until it joins the Bruce Highway in Mount Larcom. Before then, you might want to go for a walk in the Calliope Conservation Park, because there aren’t many great opportunities to stretch the legs afterwards.
The Gladstone to Rockhampton drive then goes through the small settlements of Ambrose, Raglan, Marmor, Bajool and Midgee before entering Rockhampton.
Rockhampton is one of the biggest cities in regional Queensland. The population of Rockhampton is just under 80,000.
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 Rockhampton Heritage Village, the Dreamtime Cultural Centre and Mount Archer National Park.
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.
More Gladstone road trips
Biloela to Gladstone: Distance 121km, driving time 1h24m.
Brisbane to Gladstone: Distance 531km, driving time 6h32m.
Bundaberg to Gladstone: Distance 186km, driving time 2h10m.
Gladstone to Mackay: Distance 443km, driving time 4h53m.
Hervey Bay to Gladstone: Distance 281km, driving time 3h18m.