Noosa to Bundaberg road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
The best stops on a Noosa to Bundaberg road trip itinerary include Rainbow Beach, Maryborough and Fraser Island. The distance from the Noosa to Bundaberg is 261km, with a driving time of around 3h10m.
A Noosa to Bundaberg road trip takes you from the jewel of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to Australia’s most famous rum-making town.
Noosa offers Everglades nature cruises, beginners’ surfing lessons and marine life-viewing on a speedboat.
Bundaberg, meanwhile, offers Bundaberg Rum distillery tours and Lady Musgrave Island day trips. You can also choose turtle-watching at Mon Repos, beach time at Bargara strawberry-picking at Tinaberries.
However, it’s not just about the start and end points. A Noosa to Bundaberg road trip allows you to string together several more attractions along the Queensland coast. This guide should help you put together an itinerary.
Noosa to Bundaberg distance and driving time
By car, the distance from the Noosa to Bundaberg is 260km. This makes for an approximate Noosa to Bundaberg driving time of three hours and ten 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 Bundaberg road trip: Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach
This is also where you take the turn-off for Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Click through for the next section: Maryborough and Hervey Bay