Rockhampton to 1770/ Agnes Water: Distance, time & road trip stops

The best stops on a Rockhampton to 1770 road trip are Calliope and Tannum Sands. By car, the distance from Rockhampton to 1770 is 233km, with a driving time of 2h37m.

The drive from Rockhampton to 1770 or Agnes Water takes you from the main city of Queensland’s Capricorn region to two massively underrated twin beach towns.

Rockhampton offers fascinating history walks and cave tours. To source the best Rockhampton accommodation deals, go here.

Agnes Water, and twin town 1770, have plenty to offer. Top Agnes Water and 1770 experiences include sunset cruises, amphibious vehicle tours to Eurimbula National Park and Great Barrier Reef day tours to Lady Musgrave Island. For 1770 and Agnes Water accommodation, hunt here.

Five reasons why a day tour to Lady Musgrave Island should top your wish list

A Lady Musgrave Island day trip is usually the highlight of a visit to 1770/ Agnes Water. Here’s why it’s so special.

The Great Barrier Reef is in excellent condition here – it hasn’t received the bleaching damage that other spots further north have.
This is stinger and crocodile-free territory – perfect for a summer trip.
Lady Musgrave has the only navigable lagoon on the Great Barrier Reef – the water colours are extraordinary.
That lagoon makes the water really, really calm for swimming and snorkelling.
You’re almost certainly going to see turtles.

Book your Lady Musgrave Island day trip over here.

This guide is aimed at helping travellers plan their perfect Rockhampton to 1770/ Agnes Water road trip itinerary.

If you need to hire a car, find the best rental deals. And don’t forget to do all your pre-road trip shopping.

Rockhampton to 1770/ Agnes Water distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Rockhampton to 1770 is 233km. That makes for an approximate driving time of two hours and 37 minutes.

Top experiences to book in and around Rockhampton

(Highly recommended ✅) Great Keppel Island day trip – with lunch.
Cathedral Cave tour at Capricorn Caves. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
90 minute Deep Vault Cave and Flower Pot tour at Capricorn Caves.
Time Safaris walking tour.

The best places to stay in Rockhampton, Queensland

The best Rockhampton accommodation choices are:

For character and charm: Denison Boutique Hotel.
For heritage: Quality Hotel Regent.
For well-equipped apartments: Quest Rockhampton.
For really good value: Rockhampton Serviced Apartments.
For a great pool: Korte’s Resort.

Rockhampton to 1770 driving route

From Rockhampton, head south along the Bruce Highway through the minor settlements of Midgee, Bajool, Marmor, Raglan and Ambrose.

Once you reach Mount Larcom, you may wish to branch off down State Route 58 towards Gladstone.

Things to do in Gladstone include visiting the Maritime Museum and taking the ferry to Curtis Island. But the main reason to visit is taking the Heron Island ferry to Heron Island and Wilson Island on the Great Barrier Reef.

Gladstone accommodation picks include the budget-friendly Aaron Motel, the highly-regarded Harbour Sails Motor Inn and the spacious Oaks Gladstone Grand Hotel.

Rockhampton to 1770/ Agnes Water road trip: Calliope and Tannum Sands

Otherwise, stick to the highway and pass Calliope, where the Calliope Conservation Park offers a decent opportunity to stretch the legs.

The highway then passes close to Tannum Sands, which is effectively Gladstone’s beach suburb.

It’s an uneventful drive towards Miriam Vale, where you need to branch off along Fingerboard Road.

Rockhampton to 1770/ Agnes Water drive: Miriam Vale to 1770

This leads past the shooting complex at Mount Tom, towards the Fingerboard Roadhouse at the junction with Round Hill Road.

Turn left and head north here, and it’s a short drive into Agnes Water and neighbouring 1770.

What to book in 1770/ Agnes Water before you arrive

See the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef – on a Lady Musgrave Island day tour.
Hire a scooter – and pootle around the back lanes looking for kangaroos.
Kick back with sparkling wine on a sunset cruise.
(Highly recommended ✅) Travel on land and water, and try sandboarding – on a quirky full day amphibious vehicle tour.
Or take a shorter wildlife-spotting coastline tour, with lunch.
Get the best deals on your accommodation.

Before arriving at your Agnes Water accommodation, you may wish to stop at the Bush Heritage Paperbark Forest Boardwalk or Agnes Water main beach. The latter is the most northerly surf beach in Queensland.

Good places to stay with pools include the 1770 Lagoons Central Apartments Resort, the Sandcastles 1770 Motel and the Agnes Water Beach Club.