Melbourne to Mackay inland road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Melbourne to Mackay 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.

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.

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.

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.