Moranbah to Mackay road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops

The Moranbah to Mackay drive covers a distance of 193km, with a driving time of around 2h8m. The route crosses the Great Dividing Range on the way, but there’s a lot of coal mining country.

The drive from Moranbah to Mackay crosses the Great Dividing Range, taking you from one of Queensland’s biggest coal-mining towns to the biggest city on the Whitsundays coast.

Reasons to visit Mackay include Whitsundays snorkelling cruises and tours to meet wallabies on the beach. To choose from the best Mackay tours and experiences, head this way. To select the right Mackay accommodation for you, book here.

The best thing to do in Mackay is a snorkelling cruise around the South Cumberland Islands.

Moranbah to Mackay distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Moranbah to Mackay is 193km. This makes for a driving time of around two hours and eight minutes.

Leaving Moranbah on the Moranbah Access Road, you’ll soon reach the Peak Downs Highway. Turn left, and keep going through uninspiring mining country until you reach the forests around Epsom.

The Moranbah to Mackay drive starts to get considerably more scenic from here as it enters the Great Dividing Range.

Moranbah to Mackay road trip: State forests

The Peak Downs Highway then passes between the Ben Mohr State Forest and Spencer Gap State Forest. Alas, neither is particularly well set up for visitors. Don’t expect interpretive walking trails, now.

On the way into Mackay, you’ll pass the Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Complex, which has a 50 metre pool, plus the Mackay Botanic Gardens.

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.

Highlights of Mackay include the crocodile-free Bluewater Lagoon pool and Blacks Beach.

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.