Gold Coast to Mackay road trip: Distance, drive time & stops

Stops between the Gold Coast and Mackay: Maryborough and Hervey Bay

Plough on up the highway, though, and you’ll reach historic Maryborough.

Things to do in Maryborough include learning about the town’s river port backstory at the Bond Store Museum and celebrating all things Mary Poppins at the Story Bank.

For Maryborough accommodation offering value for money, try the Mineral Sands Motel and McNevins.

Book these 8 Hervey Bay experiences now

• 1. Great Sandy Strait wildlife cruise – with a great chance of spotting dingos or dugongs.
• 2. All-inclusive Fraser Island day tour – with pick-up at your accommodation.
• 3. Fraser Island two day tour – see much more.
• 4. Fun cruise – get close to dolphins and turtles while lounging in the boom netting.
• 5. Sunset cruise.
• 6. Dolphin sailing adventure.
• 7. Whale-watching – this is arguably the best place in Australia to spot humpback whales.
• 8. Fraser Island west coast cruise – with lunch & kayaking.

From Maryborough, most travellers will divert towards the coast for Hervey Bay and the River Heads ferry to Fraser Island. Click through on the links for Australia Travel Questions’ detailed destination guides.

Top experiences in Hervey Bay, however include a one day Fraser Island tour, a whale-watching cruise and a sunset cruise.

Good Hervey Bay accommodation choices include the apartments at Mantra Hervey Bay, the Discovery Parks holiday park and the well-reviewed Akama Resort.

Click through for the next section of the Gold Coast to Mackay road trip: Bundaberg and Childers.