Gladstone to Townsville road trip: Distance, driving time & stops
Gladstone to Townsville drive: Bowen to Townsville
The Bowen to Townsville leg of the Gladstone to Townsville drive is 201km long. The more intrepid may wish to divert to Flathead Fishing Hole at the mouth of the Elliot River and Coconut Beach in Cape Upstart National Park.
Otherwise, there are lovely views from the Mount Inkerman Scenic Lookout before crossing the Burdekin River. But Ayr is the best place to stop before Townsville.
Things to do in Ayr, Queensland, include watching films at the Stardust Drive-In and checking out the mosaics at the Ayr Nature Display.
Divers should veer towards Alva Beach, from where tours to the SS Yongala shipwreck depart.
The best accommodation in Ayr
The top accommodation picks in Ayr are:
- For a family-friendly holiday park: Discovery Parks Ayr.
- For a motel that gets it right: Country Ayr Motel.
- For cheap rates and a pool: Ayr Max Motel.
It’s about an hour’s drive from Ayr to Townsville.
6 Townsville experiences to book in advance
- Magnetic Island ferry tickets – head over to one of the most beautiful islands in Australia.
- SS Yongala wreck dive – sea how coral and marine life have made the shipwreck home.
- Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art cruise – witness the extraordinary underwater art project up close.
- Helicopter ride along the coast – get amazing views from above.
- Sunset sailing cruise – watch the colours over the water, with alcoholic drinks included.
- Jetski tour to Cape Pallarenda – whizz past beaches and giant boulders.
Things to do in Townsville include taking a cruise to the Museum of Underwater Art, kicking back on a small group sunset cruise and catching the ferry to Magnetic Island.
Townsville accommodation recommendations
The best bets for Townsville accommodation are…
- For beachside location: Water’s Edge The Strand.
- For a good value, well located motel: Yongala Lodge By The Strand.
- For a sassy, chic resort: Rambutan Resort.
- For families: Discovery Parks Townsville.
- For business-friendly apartments: Quest Townsville on Eyre.
7 Magnetic Island experiences to book in advance
- Sort out your return ferry ticket from Townsville.
- Get the best of the coastline on a five hour boat tour with snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding.
- See the sky change – on a sunset and shipwrecks cruise.
- See all the island highlights – on an afternoon island tour combining heritage, culture and nature.
- Cram it all in on a five hour comprehensive island tour.
- Take to the water on a lunchtime sailing cruise.
- See subaquatic creativity – on a Museum of Underwater Art and Great Barrier Reef day trip.
More Queensland travel
Learn about the Daintree Rainforest on the Marrdja Boardwalk.
Go for a soak at Talaroo Hot Springs.
How to see the Great Barrier Reef without snorkelling.
Where’s worth stopping at on the Hervey Bay to Mackay drive?
Go inside the breeding laboratory at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda.