Maryborough to Rockhampton road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
Maryborough to Rockhampton drive: Go via Agnes Water?
If you’re planning to stop in both Bundaberg and Gladstone, follow the Bundaberg to Gladstone guide. Again, much of the route stays away from the Bruce Highway.
If you’re not going to Bundaberg, the Childers to Gladstone drive takes you past Good Night Scrub National Park near Gin Gin, and fishing heaven Lake Monduran.
At Miriam Vale, it’s potential detour time again. Here, the road branches off to the delightful twin towns Agnes Water and 1770.
What to book in 1770/ Agnes Water before you arrive
- See the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef – on a Lady Musgrave Island day tour.
- Hire a scooter – and pootle around the back lanes looking for kangaroos.
- Kick back with sparkling wine on a sunset cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Travel on land and water, and try sandboarding – on a quirky full day amphibious vehicle tour.
- Or take a shorter wildlife-spotting coastline tour, with lunch.
- Get the best deals on your accommodation.
Things to do in Agnes Water and 1770 include sunset cruises, bike rentals, amphibious vehicle tours and scooter tours. For accommodation choices, go for the pool-focused 1770 Lagoons Central Apartment Resort or the roadtripper-friendly NRMA Agnes Water Holiday Park.
Otherwise, continue on to Gladstone. Or, more appealingly, beach suburb Tannum Sands.
Things to do in Gladstone include the Maritime Museum and industrial tours. However, Gladstone is better off used as the departure point for island visits. Try hopping over to Curtis Island, or take the Heron Island ferry to Heron Island and Wilson Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Gladstone accommodation possibilities include the affordable and well-equipped Aaron Motel, the positively-reviewed Harbour Sails Motor Inn and the roomy Oaks Gladstone Grand Hotel.
Next up: Gladstone to Rockhampton.