Gladstone to Townsville road trip: Distance, driving time & stops
Top road trip stops on the Gladstone to Townsville drive include Yeppoon, Mackay and Airlie Beach. The drive to Townsville from Gladstone covers an 825km distance in a driving time of around 9h8m.
This independent, Australia travel expert-researched guide is aimed at travellers planning a road trip itinerary from Gladstone to Townsville in Queensland. To just book Townsville accommodation, go here, and to look for the best tours and activities, go here.
To learn more about the Gladstone to Townsville drive, including the distance, driving time and the best stops along the route, read on…
Planning a Gladstone to Townsville road trip itinerary
A Gladstone to Townsville 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.
Townsville is where you can take the ferry to gorgeous Magnetic Island, enjoy sunset cruises and visit the Museum of Underwater Art. For more Townsville experiences, explore here.
This road trip guide should help you pick out the spots for an overnight stay between Gladstone and Townsville that best suit your tastes.
Gladstone to Townsville distance and driving time
The distance from Gladstone to Townsville is 825km. You can expect a driving time of around nine hours and eight minutes.
The best stops on a Gladstone to Townsville road trip itinerary are Yeppoon, Mackay and Airlie Beach.
Gladstone to Townsville 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Click through for the next section: Clairview, Sarina and Mackay.