Rockhampton to Townsville drive: Distance and road trip attractions
The Rockhampton to Townsville drive is 718km long, with a driving time of 8h14m. So break it down into a road trip with stops in Mackay and Airlie Beach.
This independent, Australia travel expert-researched guide is aimed at travellers planning a road trip itinerary from Rockhampton to Townsville in Queensland.
Rockhampton offers fascinating history walks and cave tours. To source the best Rockhampton accommodation deals, go here.
Townsville is where you can take the ferry to gorgeous Magnetic Island, enjoy sunset cruises and visit the Museum of Underwater Art. For more Townsville experiences, explore here. To ferret out the best Townsville accommodation deals, look here.
To learn more about the Rockhampton to Townsville drive, including the distance, driving time and the best stops along the route, read on…
Planning a Rockhampton to Townsville road trip itinerary
The Rockhampton to Townsville drive connects two of Queensland’s largest cities. But few visitors are likely to complete the journey in one stint. There are too many attractive places to explore on the way, so the Rockhampton to Townsville drive should be turned into a multi-stop road trip.
Rockhampton to Townsville distance and driving time
The distance from Rockhampton to Townsville is 718km, with driving time of about eight hours and 14 minutes. This drive is mainly along the Bruce Highway, but it is worth taking the odd detour.
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.
The Rockhampton to Townsville road trip can roughly be broken down into three sections, which are covered in more detail elsewhere on Australia Travel Questions. These three road trip legs are:
- Rockhampton to Mackay: 336km.
- Mackay to Airlie Beach: 151km.
- Airlie Beach to Townsville: 272km.
Rockhampton to Townsville drive: Sarina and Mackay
The first leg is arguably the dullest, as the drive from Rockhampton passes through forest and sugar cane country on the way to Mackay. One of the best attractions comes pretty much straight away, with the much-decorated caverns of the Capricorn Caves. Book your cave tours in advance online.
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.
From there, the Bruce Highway continues inland before rejoining the coast at Clairview. If you fancy bush camping, four wheel driving and fishing, you can take a sizable detour to Cape Palmerston.
Otherwise, take a breather in Sarina. Here, the Sarina Sugar Shed gives an overview of the sugar industry, and Sarina Beach and Grasstree Beach are the top beaches.
Top Sarina experiences worth booking in advance
- Learn how sugar is grown and processed on a sugar mill tour – with sweet treat tastings.
- Find out how rum is made on a rum distillery tour – with rum sampling.
Best Sarina accommodation options.
The best places to stay in Sarina, Queensland, are:
- For beachside location with an outdoor pool: Sandpiper Motel.
- For air-conditioned caravans and cabins: Sarina Palms Cabins & Caravans.
- For palm trees and beach holiday vibe: Sarina Beach Motel.
Once in Mackay, you can take a walk around the art deco buildings, swim at Bluewater Lagoon, chill out at Blacks Beach or amble around the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens.
Three great Mackay experiences to book in advance
- (Highly recommended ✅) Whitsunday Islands boat cruise – with snorkelling and paddleboarding.
- Cape Hillsborough sunrise tour – meet wallabies on the beach.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Finch Hatton Gorge waterfalls tour.
Best Mackay accommodation options
The top places to stay in Mackay are:
- For attractive apartments by Blacks Beach: The Shores Holiday Apartments.
- For a cheap, but surprisingly good, motel: Cool Palms Motel.
- For apartments with kitchenettes by the marina: Mantra Mackay.
- For a holiday park with lot of family-friendly facilities: Big4 Mackay Blacks Beach Holiday Park.
- For fully furnished apartments in prime position next to Bluewater Lagoon: Riviera Mackay.
Click through to the next section: Eungella and Cape Hillsborough.