Mackay to Townsville road trip: Driving distance, time & attractions
North of the Burdekin River
From Bowen, the drive up the Bruce Highway crosses the Burdekin River and heads though Ayr.
Things to do in Ayr, Queensland, include watching movies at the Stardust Drive-In and seeing the mosaics at the Ayr Nature Display.
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.
Divers, however, should go towards Alva Beach on the coast. Diving trips to the SS Yongala Wreck depart from here.
From Ayr, it’s about an hour’s drive to Townsville.
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.
For Townsville tours, try a helicopter ride along the coast, a sunset sailing cruise and a ferry trip to Magnetic Island.
7 Magnetic Island experiences to book in advance
- Sort out your return ferry ticket from Townsville.
- Get the best of the coastline on a five hour boat tour with snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding.
- See the sky change – on a sunset and shipwrecks cruise.
- See all the island highlights – on an afternoon island tour combining heritage, culture and nature.
- Cram it all in on a five hour comprehensive island tour.
- Take to the water on a lunchtime sailing cruise.
- See subaquatic creativity – on a Museum of Underwater Art and Great Barrier Reef day trip.
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 Proserpine: Distance 126km, driving time 1h27m.
Rockhampton to Mackay: Distance 336km, driving time 3h35m.
Yeppoon to Mackay: Distance 360km, driving time 4h.