Gold Coast to Rockhampton road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Gold Coast to Rockhampton road trip: Glass House Mountains
From Brisbane, the Gold Coast to Rockhampton drive goes past Burpengary and Caboolture. The Wild Horse Mountain scenic lookout next to the Bruce Highway brings impressive views. But those with time are better off taking a short diversion towards Mount Ngungun, Mount Tibrogargan and Australia Zoo in the Glass House Mountains.
Attractions between the Gold Coast and Rockhampton: Sunshine Coast attractions
12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now
- Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour.
- Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades.
- Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
- Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour.
- Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
- Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
- Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight.
- Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
- Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour.
- Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
- Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour.
- Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.
The Sunshine Coast region is next, and the most appealing sections are the beach towns such as Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Noosa. Click on the links for separate guides, but if just picking one, go for Noosa.
Good things to do in Noosa include surfing at Little Cove, shopping on Hastings Street and finding koalas in Noosa National Park. You can visit the Laguna Lookout or Boiling Pot Lookout while doing so.
Other possibilities include a speedboat ride, going on a cruise through the Noosa Everglades, a whale-watching tour, or a surfing lesson.
For interesting Noosa accommodation, have a peek at Seahaven Noosa, Habitat Noosa and Sofitel Noosa.
Get the best out of Noosa – 6 sensational experiences to look into
- Cruise the mirror-like waterways of the Noosa Everglades – a glorious glide through stunning natural landscapes.
- 4WD along the beaches – AND kayak with dolphins on a day tour full of easy adventure.
- Take a dolphin-watching safari down the Noosa River.
- Have a go at kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or waterbiking.
- Take a tasting tour of the local craft breweries and distilleries – find out how the locals have devoted themselves to quality.
- Get standing on your board by the end of a beginners’ surfing lesson.
There are, however, plenty of attractions near the highway. The Aussie World theme park near Caloundra or Buderim Falls in Buderim might do the trick.
Yandina, meanwhile, has Asian cooking classes at Spirit House, walking trails on Mount Ninderry, Ginger Factory tours and a great swimming spot at Wappa Falls.
Shopping at the Yandina Markets is also an option, but the Eumundi Markets are more impressive.
Click for the next section: Gympie and Rainbow Beach attractions.