Noosa to Rockhampton road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
The best stops on a Noosa to Rockhampton road trip itinerary include Rainbow Beach, K’gari and Mon Repos. The distance from the Noosa to Rockhampton is 532km, with a driving time of around 6h10m.
Planning a perfect Noosa to Rockhampton road trip itinerary
A Noosa to Rockhampton road trip takes you from the jewel of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to the main city of the Capricorn region. For many travellers, this will be a leg on a longer Brisbane to Cairns road trip.
Noosa offers Everglades nature cruises, beginners’ surfing lessons and marine life-viewing on a speedboat. For Noosa accommodation deals, track down the best offers here.
Rockhampton offers fascinating history walks and cave tours. To source the best Rockhampton accommodation deals, go here.
This guide should help you plan your perfect Noosa to Rockhampton road trip itinerary.
Noosa to Rockhampton distance and driving time
By car, the distance from the Noosa to Rockhampton is 532km. This makes for an approximate Noosa to Rockhampton driving time of six hours and 10 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 Rockhampton 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.
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