Hervey Bay to Townsville road trip: Distance & best stops
Hervey Bay to Townsville road trip: Cape Gloucester and Bowen
Most people’s first leg is from Airlie Beach to Townsville. This initially heads on to the Bruce Highway, via Cannonvale and Strathdickie. Beach-seekers may prefer to divert east to chilled-out Cape Gloucester, where low key holiday towns of Dingo Beach and Hideaway Bay attract a loyal crowd.
Everyone else should continue to handsome Bowen, where Horseshoe Bay offers marvellous snorkelling and the Catalina Memorial tells the story of the World War II flying boats.
Where to stay in Bowen
The best Bowen accommodation choices are:
- For families: Queens Beach Tourist Village.
- For great value apartments with kitchens: Palm View Holiday Apartments.
- For Horseshoe Bay beachside location: Horseshoe Bay Resort.
- For central location, free parking and kitchenettes: Port Denison Motor Inn.
Bowen to Townsville
After the Airlie Beach to Bowen leg, it’s time to drive from Bowen to Townsville. The best feasible detours on this section of the journey are Cape Upstart National Park and Alva Beach. The latter is where diving trips to the SS Yongala head off from.
Otherwise, the best stop is Ayr on the Bruce Highway. Things to do in Ayr, Queensland, include seeing the Ayr Nature Display’s mosaic and watching movies at the Stardust Drive-In.
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.
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.
Townsville is the biggest city in North Queensland. Good Townsville attractions include the Museum of Tropical Queensland, the Maritime Museum of Townsville and Townsville History Walking Tours. However, most visitors will choose to hop on a ferry to Magnetic Island. Once there, things to do on Magnetic Island include watersports and koala-spotting on the Forts Walk.
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.
More Queensland travel
How long is the drive from Hervey Bay to Cairns?
Why take a Cairns Aquarium after hours tour?
Where to stop on the Mount Isa to Normanton road trip.
How long is the Coolum to Noosa drive?
Where to stop on a Port Macquarie to Gold Coast road trip.