Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay drive: Distance, time & stops

The distance from Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay along sealed roads is 123km, with a driving time of around 1h26m. The best stops to add to a road trip itinerary are the Barnacles Dolphin Centre in Tin Can Bay and the Story Bank in Maryborough.

The drive from Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay connects the two key entry points for K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island). Few travellers stop at both, but both have more than just a ferry service to offer.

Hervey Bay offers sunset cruises, whale-watching and wildlife cruises in the Great Sandy Strait. To pick out Hervey Bay experiences that pique your interest, look here. For Hervey Bay accommodation, nosy around here.

Rainbow Beach is best known as the start point for one day or three day Fraser Island tours. But you can also do combo adventures that involve four wheel driving along the beach and kayaking with dolphins. To find good deals on Rainbow Beach accommodation, look here.

This travel guide is aimed at helping visitors plan a Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay road trip itinerary.

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 to Hervey Bay distance and driving time

By car along sealed roads, the distance from Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay is 123km. This makes for a driving time of around one hour and 26 minutes.

The quickest driving route from Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay starts along the Rainbow Beach Road until it joins Tin Can Bay Road.

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.

Should you decide to detour east, the dolphin-feeding experience at the Barnacles Dolphin Centre is the main reason to visit Tin Can Bay. But you can also do sunset cruises, and hire out boats.

If continuing to Hervey Bay, however, you need to head west, then turn north up the Maryborough-Cooloola Road shortly afterwards.

Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay road trip: Tuan State Forest & Poona National Park

This ploughs through the Tuan State Forest, with very little to detain the average driver. That said, if you do want a break, you can always crack out the sandwiches at the Poona Picnic Area.

Shortly afterwards, the Maryborough-Cooloola Road becomes Boonooroo Road.

The Poona National Park on the eastern side of the Boonooroo Road is only accessible by 4WD, but is a decent spot for birdwatching and wildflower-viewing if you’ve got the right vehicle.

Otherwise, continue into Maryborough.

Things to do in Maryborough include learning about the town’s river port backstory at the Bond Store Museum and celebrating all things Mary Poppins at the Story Bank.

For Maryborough accommodation offering value for money, try the Mineral Sands Motel and McNevins.

Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay drive: Maryborough to Hervey Bay

The Maryborough to Hervey Bay drive is short, covering a 34km distance. You can expect a Maryborough to Hervey Bay driving time of around 29 minutes.

The Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road – also known as State Route 57 – leaves the Mary River at Dundathu. The river continues to River Heads, where the Fraser Island ferry departs from.

Shortly after Dundathu, the Maryborough to Hervey Bay driving route goes past the Susan River Homestead and Wide Bay Equestrian Park. Both are popular horse-riding destinations.

Otherwise there’s nothing much to keep road-trippers interested until you get into Hervey Bay.

Depending on which part of Hervey Bay you’re aiming for, you might come in along the Booral Road. In this case, it’s a very short detour to the Pir’ri Walking Track off the River Heads Road. It’s an easy loop trail, but not especially well maintained. There’s a decent chance of seeing koalas while you’re there.

Book these 8 Hervey Bay experiences now

1. Great Sandy Strait wildlife cruise – with a great chance of spotting dingos or dugongs.
2. All-inclusive Fraser Island day tour – with pick-up at your accommodation.
3. Fraser Island two day tour – see much more.
4. Fun cruise – get close to dolphins and turtles while lounging in the boom netting.
5. Sunset cruise.
6. Dolphin sailing adventure.
7. Whale-watching – this is arguably the best place in Australia to spot humpback whales.
8. Fraser Island west coast cruise – with lunch & kayaking.

The best things to do in Hervey Bay include the Wetside Water Park, Hervey Bay Historical Village and Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens.

For experiences from Hervey Bay, try a one day Fraser Island tour, a whale-watching cruise or a sunset cruise.

Good Hervey Bay accommodation options include the apartment-style Mantra Hervey Bay, the Discovery Parks holiday park and the very highly-rated Akama Resort.