Melbourne to Airlie Beach inland road trip: Distance & best stops

Melbourne to Airlie Beach drive: Clermont to Mackay

After Clermont, head north past the Apsley State Forest on the Gregory Highway, but turn east along the Peak Downs Highway.

Fairly soon you’ll come to Wolfang Peak, a rocky outcrop that juts prominently above the grassland landscape. A 2.3km return walk will take you to the top for pretty nifty views.

A little further along in the Peak Range National Park are the Gemini Peaks – Mount Pollux and Mount Castor. These are remnant volcanic plugs jutting out above their surrounds.

Afterwards, the Peak Downs Highway enters dull coal mining country near Moranbah, but things get much more scenic in the Great Dividing Range around Epsom.

The Peak Downs Highway then passes between the Ben Mohr State Forest and Spencer Gap State Forest. The 5km return walk to the Spencer Gap Waterholes is the highlight here.

The highway goes into Mackay, the biggest city in the Whitsundays region. Highlights of Mackay include the crocodile-free Bluewater Lagoon pool, Blacks Beach and snorkelling cruises to the South Cumberland Islands.

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.

Melbourne to Airlie Beach road trip: Proserpine and Airlie Beach

If continuing to Airlie Beach, however, the route skirts west of Mackay, joining State Route 5 in Eton. Before reaching the Bruce Highway, you may wish to turn off to the west for Eungella National Park, which offer platypus-spotting at Broken River and waterfall walks in Finch Hatton Gorge.

There’s also the less exciting Mount Martin National Park nearer the junction with the Bruce Highway.

Shortly afterwards comes another worthwhile detour to Cape Hillsborough National Park, where you can see kangaroos on the beach.

The road leading to Airlie Beach comes just after Proserpine, where you can enjoy a crocodile-spotting cruise on the Proserpine River. You’ll pass quieter Cannonvale on the way into Airlie.

9 memory-making Airlie Beach experiences to add to your visit

Whitehaven Beach day cruise – with plenty of snorkelling thrown in.
Glass bottom boat tour – see coral and marine life without getting wet.
Heart Reef flight – see the islands and Great Barrier Reef from above before flying over Australia’s famous heart-shaped island.
Proserpine River crocodile safari – see the big crocs from a boat.
Whitsundays sunset cruise – with free snacks and sparkling wine.
Sailing on the Camira – glide around the Whitsunday Islands under sail.
Whizz around the islands on a guided jetski tour.
Waterfall explorer day tour – with swimming in Hinterland rock pools.
Enjoy high speed thrills on a jet boat ride.