Rockhampton to Bowen road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops

Rockhampton to Bowen drive: Airlie Beach and Bowen

Top things to do in Airlie Beach include swimming in the Airlie Beach Lagoon, glass bottom boat cruises, half day Whitehaven Beach tours and kayaking adventures. You can also walk the Airlie Creek Track and enjoy several day trips.

9 memory-making Airlie Beach experiences to add to your visit

Whitehaven Beach day cruise – with plenty of snorkelling thrown in.
Glass bottom boat tour – see coral and marine life without getting wet.
Heart Reef flight – see the islands and Great Barrier Reef from above before flying over Australia’s famous heart-shaped island.
Proserpine River crocodile safari – see the big crocs from a boat.
Whitsundays sunset cruise – with free snacks and sparkling wine.
Sailing on the Camira – glide around the Whitsunday Islands under sail.
Whizz around the islands on a guided jetski tour.
Waterfall explorer day tour – with swimming in Hinterland rock pools.
Enjoy high speed thrills on a jet boat ride.

Airlie Bay, with the Airlie Beach Lagoon on the right. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Airlie Beach accommodation picks

Specialist Australian booking site Wotif offers Airlie Beach accommodation for from $114 a night. You can look through the best deals here.

However, some Airlie Beach accommodation options are worth highlighting:

On a budget: Tasman Holiday Parks Airlie Beach.
For families: Big4 Adventure Whitsundays Resort.
For waterfront apartments: At Marina Shores.
For pampering: Coral Sea Marina Resort.
For great value: Colonial Palms Motor Inn.

Otherwise, it’s 68km from Proserpine to Bowen.

The main turn-off worth considering is just north of Myrtlevale. The Dingo Beach Road heads towards Dingo Beach and Hideaway Bay on Cape Gloucester.

These chilled out, old-school holiday escapes are all about relaxation and getting away from it all. Luxury is in short supply, but natural beauty is not. Holiday homes are the best bet for accommodation in Dingo Beach and Hideaway Bay.

Further north, Heronvale next to Poole Reef is another option with a similar if slightly less detached vibe.

On the way into Bowen, you’ll pass the Big Mango – one of Australia’s notoriously tacky roadside Big Things.

Things to do in Bowen include taking in the views from the Flagstaff Hill Lookout, snorkelling at Horseshoe Bay and exploring the memorial to the WWII Catalina Flying Boats.

Where to stay in Bowen

The best Bowen accommodation choices are:

For families: Queens Beach Tourist Village.
For great value apartments with kitchens: Palm View Holiday Apartments.
For Horseshoe Bay beachside location: Horseshoe Bay Resort.
For central location, free parking and kitchenettes: Port Denison Motor Inn.

Horseshoe Bay in Bowen, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

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