Mackay to Prosperine drive: Distance, time & road trip stops
The Mackay to Proserpine drive through the Whitsundays region of Queensland covers a 126km distance in around 1h27m. But prepare for a road trip itinerary to take longer with detours to Cape Hillsborough or Eungella National Park.
The drive from Mackay to Proserpine is hardly the most exciting leg on the Queensland coastal journey from Brisbane to Cairns. But there are a couple of detours you might like to build into the road trip.
Very few people stop in Proserpine. Most people taking on the Mackay to Proserpine drive will be heading further north towards Townsville or Cairns, or branching off towards Airlie Beach for Whitsundays cruises.
But if you’re going from Mackay to Townsville or Mackay to Airlie Beach, you will pass through Proserpine.
Mackay to Proserpine distance and driving time
The distance from Mackay to Proserpine by car is 126km, with a driving time of around one hour and 27 minutes.
Three great Mackay experiences to book in advance
- (Highly recommended ✅) Whitsunday Islands boat cruise – with snorkelling and paddleboarding.
- Cape Hillsborough sunrise tour – meet wallabies on the beach.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Finch Hatton Gorge waterfalls tour.
Best Mackay accommodation options
The top places to stay in Mackay are:
- For attractive apartments by Blacks Beach: The Shores Holiday Apartments.
- For a cheap, but surprisingly good, motel: Cool Palms Motel.
- For apartments with kitchenettes by the marina: Mantra Mackay.
- For a holiday park with lot of family-friendly facilities: Big4 Mackay Blacks Beach Holiday Park.
- For fully furnished apartments in prime position next to Bluewater Lagoon: Riviera Mackay.
Stick fairly close to the Bruce Highway, and the main road trip attractions along the way are the Mount Martin National Park and Bluff Hill National Park.
Mackay to Proserpine drive: Road trip attractions
However, if you take a slightly longer detour towards the coast, you can see kangaroos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough if you stay at the Cape Hillsborough caravan park.
Other low key coastal detours will take you to Laguna Quays and Midge Point.
But the best deviation from the Bruce Highway from Mackay to Proserpine is Eungella National Park. Here you can try to spot a platypus from the bridge at Broken River or hike to the stunning waterfalls at Finch Hatton Gorge.
The highlight of Proserpine is a crocodile safari on the Proserpine River.
More Mackay road trips
Mackay to Airlie Beach: Distance 151km, driving time 1h52m.
Mackay to Bowen: Distance 192km, driving time 2h14m.
Mackay to Cairns: Distance 733km, driving time 8h35m.
Gladstone to Mackay: Distance 443km, driving time 4h53m.
Mackay to Townsville: Distance 386km, driving time 4h32m.
Rockhampton to Mackay: Distance 336km, driving time 3h35m.
Yeppoon to Mackay: Distance 360km, driving time 4h.