Noosa to Airlie Beach road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
The best stops to add to a Noosa to Airlie Beach road trip itinerary include Fraser Island, Mon Repos and Yeppoon. By car, the Noosa to Airlie Beach distance is 1,014km, with a driving time of around 11h24ms.
A Noosa to Airlie Beach road trip takes you from the jewel of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to the activity hub of the Whitsundays region.
Noosa offers Everglades nature cruises, beginners’ surfing lessons and marine life-viewing on a speedboat.
Airlie Beach brings Whitsunday Islands sailing and snorkelling cruises, coral and marine life viewing from a glass-bottom boat and day cruises to the staggering white sands of Whitehaven Beach. To explore the full range of Airlie Beach tours and experiences, investigate here. For Airlie Beach accommodation bargains, look here.
However, it’s not just about the start and end points. A Noosa to Airlie Beach road allows you to string together several more attractions along the Queensland coast. This guide should help you put together an itinerary.
Noosa to Airlie Beach distance and driving time
By car, the distance from the Noosa to Airlie Beach is 1,104km. This makes for an approximate Noosa to Airlie Beach driving time of 11 hours and 24 minutes.
Get the best out of Noosa – 6 sensational experiences to look into
- Cruise the mirror-like waterways of the Noosa Everglades – a glorious glide through stunning natural landscapes.
- 4WD along the beaches – AND kayak with dolphins on a day tour full of easy adventure.
- Take a dolphin-watching safari down the Noosa River.
- Have a go at kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or waterbiking.
- Take a tasting tour of the local craft breweries and distilleries – find out how the locals have devoted themselves to quality.
- Get standing on your board by the end of a beginners’ surfing lesson.
Leave Noosa along the Cooroy-Noosa Road, passing close to Mount Tinbeerwah and the Noosa Botanic Gardens on Lake MacDonald. Keep going on State Route 6, and you’ll join the Bruce Highway just after passing through Cooroy.
The next town to the north is Gympie, which brings the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum and rides on the Mary Valley Rattler steam train.
Highly rate Gympie accommodation includes the Gympie Muster Inn and the Shady Rest Motel.
Noosa to Airlie Beach road trip: Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach
This is also where you take the turn-off for Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach.
Rainbow Beach is best known as where you get the barge to Fraser Island, but there’s a lot more to this emerging holiday town than that. Top Rainbow Beach activities include a two hour surfing lesson, kayaking with dolphins or stand-up paddleboarding.
5 brilliant Rainbow Beach experiences you should book in advance
- Kayaking with dolphins – including a 4WD beach driving adventure.
- Beginner surfing lessons – you’ll be standing on the board by the end.
- Stand-up paddleboarding and 4WD tour combo – great value day out.
- Fraser Island day tour – visiting the island’s main highlights.
- Fraser Island three day tour – covering parts of the island most visitors miss.
If Fraser Island is the goal, there are multiple tour options available. Choose between a one day Fraser Island coach tour, a two day bus trip or a three day tagalong trip. If you want to have a go at driving yourself, pick the latter.
Rainbow Beach accommodation possibilities include backpacker joint Pippies Beach House, the more glamorous Plantation Resort and the Ocean Palms Resort, which has sea view balconies.
Pick the best K’gari/ Fraser Island tour for you
- HIGHLIGHTS PACKAGE: One day coach tour from Hervey Bay.
- FROM THE SOUTH: One day 4WD tour from Rainbow Beach.
- PACK MORE IN: Two day tour, staying at K’gari Beach Resort.
- BEACHY: Boat cruise with west coast beach stops.
- BACKPACKERS: Three day, drive-yourself camping adventure from Hervey Bay. Or similar from Rainbow Beach.
- MORE LUXURIOUS: Three day adventure, staying at the Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Click through for the next section: Maryborough and Hervey Bay