Gold Coast to Rockhampton road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
The drive from the Gold Coast to Rockhampton covers a distance of is 714km, with a driving time of around 8h4m. The best road trip stops along the way are Noosa, Hervey Bay and 1770.
A Gold Coast to Rockhampton road trip takes you north along the Queensland coast to the biggest city in Central Queensland.
The Gold Coast offers jet boat rides, sunset cruises, parasailing and amphibious vehicle tours. You can also go whale-watching during whale season.
Rockhampton, meanwhile, has some fascinating history walks and cave tours. To source the best Rockhampton accommodation deals, go here.
However, much of the fun comes from what’s in the middle. A Gold Coast to Rockhampton road trip allows you to string together plenty of highly memorable attractions and experiences.
Make it a holiday rather than just a drive, and you can have a tremendous time.
Gold Coast to Rockhampton distance and driving time
By car, the distance from the Gold Coast to Rockhampton is 714km. This makes for a Gold Coast to Rockhampton driving time of roughly eight hours and four minutes.
This is the time and distance as measured from Surfers Paradise. Both will vary slightly from elsewhere on the Gold Coast.
7 Gold Coast experiences worth booking in advance
- See waterfalls and natural wonders – on a full day Springbrook National Park tour.
- Be awed by massive migrating humpbacks – on a great value whale-watching cruise.
- Feast as you explore the Gold Coast waterways – on a dinner cruise.
- Kayak with dolphins and snorkel with hundred of sub-tropical fish – on the same tour.
- Enjoy high speed thrills along the waterways – on a jet boat adventure.
- Glide above the beautiful hinterland – on a serene hot air balloon flight.
- Taste the best Scenic Rim wines – on an indulgent Tamborine Mountain wine tour, with lunch.
Gold Coast to Rockhampton road trip: North to Brisbane
You’ll pass the famous Gold Coast theme parks on the way into Brisbane. Oxenford has the highest concentration of them, with Warner Brothers Movie World, Paradise Country, Australian Outback Spectacular based here.
Dreamworld and Whitewater World, however, are in Coomera a little further north.
Other potential stops on the way into Brisbane include the Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum, Logan River Parklands, Springwood Conservation Park and Mt Gravatt Lookout.
9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
- Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
- Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
- Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
- Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
- Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
- XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
- Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
- See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.
For things to do in Brisbane, consider the Museum of Brisbane, the Streets Beach, the public art trails and City Botanic Gardens.
Excellent Brisbane accommodation options include the consciously cool W Brisbane, the heritage-drenched Treasury and the selfie-friendly Ovolo.
6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday
- Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
- Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
- Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
- North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
- Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.
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