Sydney to Bundaberg road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Stops between Sydney and Bundaberg: Gympie to Maryborough

Plough on up the highway, though, and you’ll reach historic 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.

After Maryborough, most travellers will beeline towards the coast for Hervey Bay and the River Heads ferry to Fraser Island.

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.

The best experiences in Hervey Bay include a one day Fraser Island tour, a whale-watching cruise and a sunset cruise.

If staying over night Hervey Bay accommodation favourites include the apartments at Mantra Hervey Bay, the Discovery Parks holiday park and the well-rated Akama Resort.

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.

Noosa to Bundaberg road trip: Childers to Bundaberg

If skipping Hervey Bay, the Bruce Highway turn off for Bundaberg comes just before Childers.

The route heads past Bingera National Park, which is unfortunately not really set up for visitors.

Burrum Coast National Park lies to the east. Access to the Kinkuna camping zone is via Palm Beach Road off Coonarr Road, but is 4WD only. All the walking trails are in the Woodgate section of the park, further south.

You gradually enter Bundaberg through the southern suburbs, passing the Carina International Speedway and the Macadamias Australia macadamia form. The farm offers tastings and self-guided interactive tours.

6 Bundaberg experiences to make the most of your free time

(Highly recommended ✅) Tour – with tastings – at the Bundaberg rum distillery.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Day trip to Lady Musgrave Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Fly out to Lady Elliot Island for a day on the reef.
See migrating humpbacks – on a four hour whale watching cruise with lunch.
Brewery tasting tour – including the famous Bundaberg ginger beer.
Farm life experience at Splitters Farm.

In Bundaberg, you can taste Australia’s most-beloved rum on the Bundaberg Rum distillery tours. You can also watch turtles give birth or hatch at Mon Repos, enjoy some time on the beach at Bargara, or go strawberry-picking at Tinaberries,.

Excellent value Bundaberg accommodation includes the Villa Mirasol Motor Inn, Bundaberg Spanish Motor Inn and Bundaberg Big4 Cane Village Holiday Park.