Maroochydore to Gympie road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
The Maroochydore to Gympie drive covers a 80km distance in a one hour driving time. The best road trip stops along the way are Yandina, Eumundi and Cooroy.
The drive from Maroochydore to Gympie takes you from the commercial centre of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to the Fraser Coast transition zone.
Maroochydore offers Maroochy River lunch cruises, while Gympie brings steam train rides.
Maroochydore to Gympie distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Maroochydore to Gympie is 80km. That makes for a driving time of around an hour.
The drive out of Maroochydore starts along Bradman Avenue, following the Maroochy River until it becomes David Low Way. Just after the Sunshine Castle in Bli Bli, turn left onto State Route 10 (Bli Bli Road). This brings you out towards the Bruce Highway at Nambour.
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.
Maroochydore to Gympie road trip: Yandina and Cooroy
Now, the main highlights of the Sunshine Coast are on the coast itself rather than on the Bruce Highway, but there are several things to do in Yandina, just to the north of Nambour.
You can go walking on Mount Ninderry and swimming at Wappa Falls. You can also take cooking classes at Spirit House, pay a visit to the Ginger Factory and shop at the Yandina Markets. The Eumundi Markets further north are more impressive, however.
At Cooroy, meanwhile, only a short detour is required to enjoy the Noosa Botanic Gardens.
Maroochydore to Gympie drive: Gympie and Maryborough
Otherwise, keep going to Gympie where you can visit the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum or catch the Mary Valley Rattler tourist train.
Near Gympie, you might want to stop at the Woodworks Museum, which delves into the forestry practiced in the nearby state forests.
Well-regarded Gympie accommodation includes the Gympie Muster Inn and the Shady Rest Motel.
More Queensland travel
Swim at Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island.
Hervey Bay road trips – distances and driving times.
Do a glass bottom boat tour near Cairns.
Make a photo stop at the Alexandra Lookout on the drive from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation.
Where to stop on a Gold Coast to Airlie Beach road trip.