Toowoomba to Hervey Bay road trip: Distance, time & best stops

Toowoomba to Hervey Bay road trip: Nanango to the Bruce Highway

Head north along the Burnett Highway, you’ll go past Lake Barambah – a popular spot for fishing – and reach Goomeri. There’s a swimming pool here, but it’s more important as the junction with the Wide Bay Highway, which takes you towards the coast.

A possible stop along the Wide Bay Highway is Kilkivan, where you can walk or cycle part of the Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail, refuel, and get some snacks at the Kilkivan General Store.

Later on, turn north along the Bauple-Woologa Road, then again up Netherby Road through the village of Gundiah. By now, you’re running parallel to the Bruce Highway, which you finally join at Tiaro.

Toowoomba to Hervey Bay drive: Tiaro to Hervey Bay

Plough on up the highway, 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.

I t’s another 34km to Hervey Bay along the Maryborough-Hervey Bay road.

This goes past horse-riding hotspots Susan River Homestead and Wide Bay Equestrian Park.

Depending on which part of Hervey Bay you’re heading for, you might come in along the Booral Road. In which case, the Pir’ri Walking Track on the River Heads Road is a decent place for spotting koalas.

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.

Top things to do in Hervey Bay include the Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens, Wetside Water Park and Hervey Bay Historical Village.

For experiences from Hervey Bay, try a one day Fraser Island tour, a whale-watching cruise or a sunset cruise.

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.

Good Hervey Bay accommodation options include the apartment-style Mantra Hervey Bay, the Discovery Parks holiday park and the very highly-rated Akama Resort.