Rockhampton to Cairns road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Rockhampton to Cairns road trip: Airlie Beach to Bowen
The road to Airlie runs through quieter Cannonvale on the way in.
Which Whitsundays cruise should I choose?
- For those with limited time: Whitehaven Beach half day tour.
- For the highlights reel: Whitehaven Beach and Hamilton Island day trip.
- To see the reef two ways: High speed Whitsundays cruise plus scenic reef flight combo.
- For romance, sparkling wine and sunset under sail: Multi-beach and reef Lady Enid cruise.
- To see several islands: Sailing and snorkelling adventure.
- For an overnight sailing adventure: Matador two day yacht cruise.
Things to do in Airlie Beach include hiking the Airlie Creek Track, swimming in the Airlie Beach Lagoon and Whitsundays kayaking tours, plus helicopter flights and day trips to Hamilton Island. There are also multiple day trips from Airlie Beach to the other Whitsunday Islands, include Daydream Island, Whitsunday Island and South Molle Island.
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 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.
If skipping Airlie Beach, the next leg of the Rockhampton to Cairns road trip is from Proserpine to Bowen along the Bruce Highway. The main turn-off to consider on this leg is just north of Myrtlevale, where the Dingo Beach Road runs towards chilled-out holiday villages Dingo Beach and Hideaway Bay on Cape Gloucester.
Accommodation here comes mostly in the form of holiday homes.
You’ll drive past the pleasingly daft Big Mango on the way into Bowen. Things to do here include snorkelling at Horseshoe Bay, taking in the views from the Flagstaff Hill Lookout, and visiting the WWII Catalina Flying Boats memorial.
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.
Rockhampton to Cairns drive: Bowen to Magnetic Island
The Bowen to Townsville leg of the Rockhampton to Cairns drive is 201km long. There are potential but inessential detours to the Flathead Fishing Hole at the Elliot River mouth and Coconut Beach in the Cape Upstart National Park.
Just before crossing the Burdekin River, you can get good view from the Mount Inkerman Scenic Lookout. But the next proper stop is Ayr.
Things to do in Ayr, Queensland, include admiring the mosaics at the Ayr Nature Display and watching movies at the Stardust Drive-In and enjoying.
Divers will be more interested in Alva Beach. This is where tours to the SS Yongala shipwreck depart from.
It’s about an hour’s drive from Ayr to Townsville, it’s around an hour’s drive.
6 Townsville experiences to book in advance
- Magnetic Island ferry tickets – head over to one of the most beautiful islands in Australia.
- SS Yongala wreck dive – sea how coral and marine life have made the shipwreck home.
- Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art cruise – witness the extraordinary underwater art project up close.
- Helicopter ride along the coast – get amazing views from above.
- Sunset sailing cruise – watch the colours over the water, with alcoholic drinks included.
- Jetski tour to Cape Pallarenda – whizz past beaches and giant boulders.
Things to do in Townsville include going on a cruise to the Museum of Underwater Art, kicking back on a small group sunset cruise and catching the ferry to Magnetic Island. There are great snorkelling spots here, at Arthur Bay and Florence Bay.
Townsville accommodation recommendations
The best bets for Townsville accommodation are…
- For beachside location: Water’s Edge The Strand.
- For a good value, well located motel: Yongala Lodge By The Strand.
- For a sassy, chic resort: Rambutan Resort.
- For families: Discovery Parks Townsville.
- For business-friendly apartments: Quest Townsville on Eyre.
7 Magnetic Island experiences to book in advance
- Sort out your return ferry ticket from Townsville.
- Get the best of the coastline on a five hour boat tour with snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding.
- See the sky change – on a sunset and shipwrecks cruise.
- See all the island highlights – on an afternoon island tour combining heritage, culture and nature.
- Cram it all in on a five hour comprehensive island tour.
- Take to the water on a lunchtime sailing cruise.
- See subaquatic creativity – on a Museum of Underwater Art and Great Barrier Reef day trip.
Click through to the next section: Paluma Range National Park and Ingham.