Find out more about Strawberry Fields here. This one is non negotiable. The main stops in which many people book additional excursions are in Maryborough West, Bundaberg, Gladstone, and Rockhampton. The Botanical Gardens are beautiful, with one of the highlights being the Sugar Cane Railway that takes visitors on a 2km train ride through the gardens. Best driving route - only small sedan. An essential stop on any Queensland road tripwould be Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. Agnes Waters and 1770 are the perfect locations for a quiet beach getaway where you can escape the bustling crowds of the city and relax with the slower pace of these small seaside towns. customize this trip Day 1 11:00 am start in Brisbane drive for about 1 hour 12:01 pm Australia Zoo stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:01 pm drive for about 56 minutes 1:57 pm Amamoor State Forest stay for about 1 hour Just a short walk north of this lagoon is the Keppel Kraken zero-depth water park, which is fun for the kids and also free! Tickets cost $60 - $120 and the journey takes 7h 45m. trip dates & more! This island is self-catering, which is perfect for keeping costs down too. I would recommend doing over at least a few days. Airlie Beach is an aquatic playground with beautiful beaches and parks for kids. Then drive for about 40 minutes. With Queensland being THE place to be at the moment, there is no better way to spend 8-days of your school holidays than by exploring south-east Queensland on a Brisbane to Bundaberg road trip. If you are short on time, use the information below to assist in selecting the destinations that stand out the most, and add the others to your bucket list for a future Queensland driving holiday. Sunshine Coast (Queensland) (14 answers) With several tours available, there is something for all ages. On the streets of Southbank, there are many cafes, restaurants and bars. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Tropical North Queenslandis hot and humid year-round with temperatures averaging around 31C. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Childers: Plenty of food options good to break up the drive if needed. Visit disclaimer for more information. Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Bundaberg by train. Can anyone share a route they have taken? The ultimate Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary, straight up the Bruce Highway along Queensland's tropical Pacific coast and taking in the best places to stop including Fraser Island, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Townsville.. A spacious parkland with walking tracks and play areas, pack a picnic or cook up a BBQ as the kids will not want to leave this impressive family-friendly space. Queensland Rail Travel operates a train from Brisbane Roma Street to Bundaberg 3 times a day. Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions Located just off Hastings Street, this pristine beach is a hub where many visitors often enjoy a swim, relax on the sand, gather for picnics, or wander along the nearby boardwalk. buy tickets for The Wheel of Brisbane here. There are 23 beaches to choose from here our favourite is Alma for its glass-like surface, rock pools, play area, BBQs and snorkelling. Our article will give you the information you need to make a plan for where to stop on the way to Bundaberg. Contributed by Beth at Frugal Female Abroad. Rainbow Beach is great too, but a bit of a detour. The most popular attraction in Brisbane is the South Bank Parklands. A short drive to Bargara will bring you to the beach and Mon Repos, an area where Loggerhead Turtles lay their eggs. Stay: If you are searching for a central place to stay that is packed full of activities and fun for kids of all ages you cant look past the Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort. In Brisbane City itself, there isnt a lot to see and do, but luckily the attractions that do exist are mostly free! I don't think anyone has ever said that about Gympie. The striking fresh blue water thats beautifully transparent is like that of a swimming pool. The Pacific Coast Way is the stretch of road that connects the towns and cities along the East Coast of Australia between the Gold Coast and Cairns. Bargara has plenty of accommodation and cafes, so is the ideal spot to base yourself. A visit to the Strawberry Fields is a venture the entire family can enjoy. When starting a road trip from Brisbane, there are many places to visit, and if you have the flexibility of slow travel, you may choose to stop at most of the locations on the list. Travel to New Zealand with kids - Unmissable Family Highlights, The Ultimate Guide to Australian Animal Encounters, 5 Essential stops on a Queensland Road Trip: Gold Coast to Cairns. Not too far from Pumpkin Island, you will find Great Keppel Island the largest of the eighteen islands in the Keppel Group. to each other and sharing tips and advice. Buy food to feed the lizards and ducks, and stop in at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation within the grounds, which is dedicated to the aviation pioneer Bert Hinkler. long road trip, make sure you factor in traffic and road conditions, If youre travelling between Brisbane and Townsville, Bundaberg must be on your list of places to stop. Dip in the water and some decent food /coffee options in Hervey Bay. These include: the staple Bundaberg Rum Distillery, Hinkler Hall Of Aviation, or the nearby Lady Musgrave Island. If you dont have your own 4WD drive, there are plenty of tour groups which you can join to experience this beautiful drive. This is about 3 hours north of Brisbane, or about 1 hours southeast of Bundaberg. To exert a little more energy, take one of the many walking trails to Townsvilles iconic feature Castle Hill. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to Take a drive up to Mount Archer, which sits at 604mtrs above sea level, providing you with spectacular views of the city and surrounding ranges. Its unique geology of huge granite boulders, hoop pines, palms and its families of rock wallabies and koalas will have you spellbound. Bundaberg is famous for a few things Bundaberg Rum, the Mon Repos turtles and being the start of the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. Contributed by Susan Ganfrom Thrifty after 50. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:27 pmdrive for about 40 minutes, Mt Glorious Here as well as getting up close and personal with the reef, you will get the opportunity to see fish, turtles, dolphins and manta rays. The Eumundi Markets 20kms west of Noosa Heads is one of the largest artisan markets in Australia and is held every Wednesday and Saturday. East Coast Car Rentals is a Product Review award-winning company and a brand that is well-trusted by many travellers. There are SO many must-see sights between Brisbane and Airlie Beach that you have to check out. I want to show you how your family can explore together in Australia and beyond. There are also many restaurants,cafes, and bars. The most-visited site on Fraser Island would be Lake McKenzie. Let me know in the comments below! Dayboro Cafe 6 Williams St Dayboro, QL +61 7 3425 2662 1 review Coffee & Tea Arrive at 10:10 am. This is about 1 hour southeast of Bundaberg. Located between Caloundra and Maroochydore are the beautiful calm waters of Currimundi Lake. Stay: Whether you are travelling with a caravan, tent or require a cabin, the Discovery Parks Rockhampton is a great base. The exact coordinates of the midpoint are: 26 8' 1" S 152 34' 50" E The best place to meet based on recommendations from Trippy members is Noosa. (function() { If youre in the mood to spot some frolicking dolphins, Noosa is one of the best places to do so and for a closer experience, you cant go wrong with this Dolphin Safari. The main Queensland airports starting from the south would be, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns. Premier Motor Service also services this route once daily. And if you know Brisbane well, please help your fellow We wrote a detailed article about ALL of the things to do in Bundaberg with kids. We explain why we stopped here, and what activities families with kids can enjoy along the way. Find the best deals for East Coast Car Rentals here. customize this trip 10:00 am start in Brisbane drive for about 45 minutes 10:45 am Bribie Island stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:45 am drive for about 44 minutes 12:28 pm Sunshine Coast (Queensland) stay for about 1 hour There are so many fantastic destinations in Queensland, that it is impossible to list them all, so here are 5 of the more popular Queensland destinations with a few tips on places you may stop to explore in between. Rainbow Beach to Tin Can Bay - 32km. I thought the highway bypasses Gympie now. Other beaches can be reached by car, foot, and boat be careful to check if youre heading to one of the islands two nudie beaches. The whole Sunshine Coast is lovely. Stay: Mackay is one of the cities you will come across on this road trip and is usually a popular base. So, lots of time for snorkeling in queensland and lots of time for bush walking and seeing the other unspoiled side of the country, Ahhh home sweet home ???? Alternatively, Greyhound Australia operates a bus from Brisbane to Bundaberg twice daily. I make your days out with the kids easy and fun! by calculating the distance from Brisbane to Bundaberg. looking for a meeting place or a good stop around To see the many alluring elements of the island is one, action-packed day, this remote full-day tour is the way to go. From here, you can stop in at the various cafes, grab a bite to eat, or wander and browse through the many boutiques on offer. There is so much to see and do to fill up your itinerary. Weather during the Summer months is hot and humid with temperatures reaching the mid 30s C. find other halfway points. Brisbane to Bundaberg road trip, or go to the main page to Best place to let the kid run around and change them is the ginger factory. Read the detailed guide on the best things to do in Noosa. For the kids, theres an all-abilities playground to explore including slides, swings, opened grass areas, and plenty more. Luckily, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can use to keep the children entertained for the entire drive. Or into Yandina to check out the ginger factory. Alternatively, Queensland Rail Travel operates a train from Bundaberg to Brisbane Roma Street twice daily. There's lots to do and see up there, including Kondalilla National Park and Mapleton Falls Nat Park. We have also done a Brisbane to Bundaberg train trip on the Tilt Train it was awesome fun! next trip! forms: { Their founder Anthony passed away a few years ago so has since been sold but the new owners have kept everything just as delicious, Woodgate beach, really nice place between Childers and Bundaberg. drive for about 39 minutes, 10:39 am Woolooga RACQ's Trip Planner allows you to find places, get directions or plan your next road trip. Required fields are marked *. The area is home to stacks of wildlife including kangaroos, whales, turtles, dingos, dugongs, platypus and birds. These are the best stops on a Brisbane to Bundaberg road-trip: Beerwah Palmview Noosa Heads Gympie Hervey Bay Bundaberg In this article, we've detailed the best places to stop on a Brisbane to Bundaberg road trip. On a Brisbane to Bundaberg road-trip, its worth spending 2 nights in Hervey Bay. Can you drive solo in 1 day from Canberra to Brisbane? Highly rated, this holiday park is an adventure wonderland in paradise. places to stop between brisbane and bundaberg. Either wander through the colourful gardens or find your own patch of grass to sit back and soak in the tranquility. It is also why this stretch of road is one of the most famous drives through the Sunshine State. These 2-hour surfing lessons on Noosa Beach are a great choice, including all the necessary equipment such as a soft board, leg rope, and a wet-suit. One of the main attractions for kids of all ages is South Bank, which is home to 17 ha of parklands and the impressive Streets Beach, which is a manmade beach with a lagoon where the kids can swim while watching the boats glide past on the Brisbane River. Operated by Translink QLD and Queensland Rail Travel, the Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Bundaberg train service departs from . This is about 1 hour north of Brisbane. But as it is a long journey I will be spending at least a month there. We thank you for supporting our website. These highly-rated tours fill quickly, so book them in advance here. The local hospital was ruined, and was only reopened in 2014 after a $23 million refurbishment. There are a variety of attractions to visit here including the Butterfly Sanctuary, the Rain Forestation Nature Park, the Australian Venom Zoo, Kuranda River Cruises as well as simply to explore the quaint little village. from $274. Note: The cities and towns along the Pacific Coast Way are big on traveller experiences. Hope some of these may be of interest to you. Basically any small town the highway passes through. Want to plan the trip back? While walking along the trail there, you will see the South Sea Islander Wall, which was built by slaves, and is now protected under the Queensland Heritage Register. Lets get started here are the best towns and attractions to visit on your Brisbane to Bundaberg road trip. This is a little over 3 hours north of Brisbane, or a little over 1 hour southeast of Bundaberg. You can also follow along with Melissas adventures here: Disclosures: This page contains affiliate links that may earn us a small commission if you purchase anything through them at no extra cost to you. With all the attractions within Noosa, it may be worth staying in this beach-side town for 1 or 2 nights. Rainy season is from November to April; with near- daily rainfall. The top cities between Port Douglas and Brisbane are Cairns, Townsville, Noosa, Bundaberg, Maleny, Airlie Beach, Kuranda, Hervey Bay, and Mooloolaba. Thank you for your wonderful contribution, Susan. If you love beaches, you will be spoilt for choices! 100% spam-free, we promise! We hope you found this Queensland road trip helpful! Eli Creek, for a lazy float down a winding freshwater stream, opening out to shallow water for the kids to splash around and play. This is a great little spot for free camping between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The Spirit of the Outback travels from Brisbane and terminates in Longreach or vice versa. Or get a full Brisbane to Bundaberg flight plan. Set off through the eucalyptus forest on the 800-m Glass House Mountains Look-out Track for an amazing view over the nearby mountains as well as Caloundra, Moreton Island, Brisbane, and more. Premier Motor Service also services this route once daily. The northern Australian state of Queensland has a coastline stretching nearly 7,000km, with so much to offer- from the Great Barrier Reef to the bright lights of the Gold Coast; not forgetting the many national parks and pristine beaches in between. South to North;Wild Horse Mountain: Great view of Glass House Mountains (short walk to lookout)Eumundi: Markets for the wife, good playground there the 18 mo should enjoy.Childers: Plenty of food options good to break up the drive if needed. Not too far out of your way either. Designed and Developed by Inspire Family Travel, We use cookies on this website so we can provide you with a better experience when you visit us online. The Sunshine Coast is situated north of Brisbane, stretching from Caloundra to north of Cooloola and includes a variety of little beach suburbs like Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Coolum and Noosa. Queensland typically has four seasons being Summer (December to February), Autumn (March to May), Winter (June to August) and Spring (September to November). The Big Pineapple is near Forest Glen. North of Cairns is Cape Tribulation a must-see in the region. Have fun and good luck! 1 [deleted] 4 yr. ago thirded! It is a place to unwind and enjoy a beachside holiday akin to yesteryear. Airlie Beach is also close to the Great Barrier Reef. If you're Here are our favourite things to do in Noosa: If youre looking for a spot to cool off and soak in the sun, you cant go wrong with a visit to Main beach. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland has gorgeous little towns worth exploring with loads of local produce and handicrafts to sample. Whether you are searching for a place to relax or an incredible experience at the Whitsunday Islands, this coastal town can offer both. The City of Cairns itself has an esplanade lined with bars and restaurants and nightlife and there is also a large man-made lagoon. Contributed by James Ian from Travel Collecting, Related: Read the detailed guide on the best things to do in Noosa. You will also get afternoon tea included for the ride back. The best place to pitch up if youre worried about getting bogged down is at the front of the camping area by the entrance from the road. Manage Settings You can, of course, fly between the major airports on the route, hire a car at each and explore the surrounding areas. to double check the weather. Bundaberg Airport (BDB) services domestic flights; Brisbane Airport (BNE) is 361km (224mi) to Bundaberg and services international and domestic arrivals These highly-rated tours fill quickly, so book them in advance here! Powered entirely by the wind and sun, its Australias first carbon-positive island resort and offsets 150% of its annual carbon footprint how cool is that!? The location closest to the exact midpoint would be Gympie. South East Queensland (from the Sunshine Coast to the south) receives less rain than the north and is, therefore, more suited to year-round travel. If you plan to break up the drive by exploring the different destinations I have mentioned below, it is useful to know travel specifics before embarking on a Queensland coast road trip. formId: '6180d950db5bc2b4fb307ea0',
You can fly directly into Bundaberg from Brisbane or Melbourne, or reach it on a 4.5-hour road trip from Brisbane. Amamoor State Forest The best stops on a Gold Coast to Airlie Beach road trip itinerary include Noosa, Mon Repos and Yeppoon. I have mapped out the times and distances between each of the recommended places as a guide. In the heart of Airlie Beach, located oceanside is the free Airlie Beach Lagoon. If you know Brisbane well, please For this reason, I asked fellow travellers for their recommendations on the best places to stop and things to do between Brisbane and Townsville. Self-drive is the easiest way to get around the region. Try searching for places within 4.5 hours of Brisbane. About Best Places to Stop Between Brisbane and Airlie Beach Updated Fri 15 Jul 2022 Travelling the East Coast of Australia is widely popular amongst backpackers, grey nomads, van-lifer's and adventure enthusiasts. Though a visit during the day can be satisfying, dont miss out on experiencing the strip at night as fairy lights illuminate the street and bring this central hub to life. The Gold Coast is Queenslands largest second city and 6th largest city in Australia, stretching 66kms south of Brisbane to the northern border of New South Wales. One of the best things you can do while staying at Airlie is to take a day trip to the beautiful Whitehaven Beach with Ocean Rafting to visit some of the best snorkelling spots and step foot on one of the worlds most pristine beaches. About If youre looking for ways to escape the bustle and unwind, take the time to visit the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens. Plenty of places to get Mammino's in Bundy). The World Heritage listed Daintree National Park has lush dense rainforest, crocodile infested waters, cool freshwater streams, pristine beaches as well as the Great Barrier Reef. or document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There are a few smaller airports in between as well. Mammino's aside, you may as well keep going straight through. We highly recommend this afternoon whale watching tour it is perfect for families. As these are only some of the fun things to do in Brisbane if youre planning on seeing more of the city plan to stay at least three days. Thanks so much to Melissa for sharing this detailed guide, its really helped us plan out our itinerary and I hope it will help you too. are some local restaurants in the area: If you're new to the area, here are some of the Discover one of Queenslands most incredible drives, including all the must-see places on a Brisbane to Townsville road trip. Sunshine Coast without a doubt, absolutely beautiful scenery and beaches. The perfect hangout for families to spend the day! two thirds of the way, you can stop at Maryborough, Australia. To witness more awe-inspiring landscapes, take a detour inland to the Queensland hinterland where the vibrant blues are swapped for lush greens. You could stop off at the following destinations on route Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Airlie Beach (gateway to Whitsundays), Townsville (gateway to Magnetic Island). Get the full driving directions for a I am from Perth but we are flying over to Brisbane in April with my wife and eighteen month old, we are driving up to Bundaberg to stay with family. (Personally, I usually get off the h'way just before & go up through Goodwood. Once youve explored all that Gympie has to offer, jump in the car and drive 1.5 hours north to the coastal city of Hervey Bay. Brooklands - CORDELIA The Gardens Tearooms is nestled under the 150-year-old Banyan Fig trees and provide a range of meals and refreshments. With the range of activities available in this small city, this destination deserves your time and attention. If you're planning a road trip to Bundaberg, you can research locations to stop along the way. Click here to book and plan your visit to the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. The beach faces north instead of east, and the orientation and protection help create rolling waves that tend to be safer and more suitable for younger children than many of the main coastal beaches. The direct, non-stop Brisbane to Airlie Beach drive time is over 15 hours. Take the David Low Way instead of the motorway and stop wherever you think looks nice! Tickets cost $40 - $140 and the journey takes 4h 45m. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. About or two thirds of the way, you can stop at Sunshine Coast, Australia.This is about 3 hours south of Bundaberg, or about 1 hours north of Brisbane. Tiaro's a bit further on, the Station Hotel has nice meals, & there's a decent cafe/coffee shop as you come into town(if it's open - seems to keep odd hours?). About 1 km south of the Bundaberg turn off on the Bruce Highway. Stay: Townsville is a popular place to stay, particularly if you are extending your journey on a Brisbane to Cairns road trip. Plenty to keep the most active little ones occupied! I assume you are arriving in Brisbane, if so, Springbrook is south of Brisbane and you need to head North. If youre planning to do a Brisbane to Bundaberg road trip with kids, youve come to the right place. Some of the popular exhibits include the flight simulators, the Globe Theatre, and the Hinkler House virtual tour. This is about 3 hours south of Bundaberg, or almost an hour north of Brisbane. There is a large free camping area on the Inskip Peninsula, a short drive north from Rainbow Beach. Located along the Mary River, this once famous gold-mining town has a lot to offer its visitors including fascinating museums, entertaining parks, scenic lakes, and so much more. There are several easy to intermediate hiking trails including a 1.2km walk through the Joseph Banks Conservation Park, a 400m walk on a paperbark forest boardwalk and a 5.5km walk along the beach from Agnes Waters to the 1770 headland. As stingers dont come this far south, there is no concern when getting in the water. If you still have time in the area, you can visit the Snakes Downunder Reptile Park & Zoo at Childers. Thanks all, Overwhelmed with all of the fantastic advice have more that enough for the trip up and back! Learn how your comment data is processed. This could potentially be done in one, grueling day (with a few breaks in-between). It is interesting to walk through the museum and then to see the process of making rum. Take a stroll along UranganPier, one of Australias longest piers (nearly a kilometre into the sea), and also known as one of Hervey Bays top fishing spots. The popular things to do in Hervey Bay are experiencing an up-close encounter with one of the largest marine animals in the world on a whale-watching cruise (April to November). . because there's an entire community of travelers talking If rum isnt your thing, visit the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks factory, which makes soft drinks. Brisbane to Bundaberg food Where to eat between Brisbane and Bundaberg Aquitaine Brasserie South Bank South Brisbane, QL +61 7 3844 1888 1 review French restaurants Day 1. Contributed by Natalie Faulkner from Loved by Natty. by calculating the distance from Brisbane to Bundaberg. Since Australia Zoo often takes an entire day to explore, it may be worth spending one night in Beerwah to unwind and relax afterward. road conditions from Brisbane to Bundaberg, Enter a city to drive through, or find all. The coastal town of Yeppoon, with its relaxed vibe and friendly locals, is one of the most popular towns to visit on a Brisbane to Townsville road trip. This is one of Australias most well-known spirit brands and rum distilleries. Airlie Beach is a coastal town just south of Townsville and the jumping-off point for the Whitsunday Islands. Contributed by Emma from Our Wayfaring Life. if someone one was heading down south of perth i would recommend stopping in for some fresh fruit and deli goods at Bunbury Fresh or nannup for a pie. Bundaberg is also a great base-point to explore some of the beautiful regions of the Great Barrier Reef. Geared towards tourists, while still maintaining their small-town feel, if camping isnt your thing, there are plenty of alternative accommodation options available. The surf tends to be much gentler here so it is the perfect spot to bring the kids. ); We loved our day trip out to Lady Musgrave Island. Magnetic Island affectionately known as Maggie to locals lies in Australias Great Barrier Reef. There are cheaper places away from the main street, and the beaches here are second-to-none. The markets offer craft stalls, food options and loads of entertainment. Delivered to your inbox via eNewsletter. Spend an afternoon biking or take a stroll along the award-winning Bluewater Trail where you will pass the majestic Botanical Gardens and Sandfly Creek Environmental Walkway. Single tickets are cheaper on that link and if you buy a family pass it is only $171 for two adults and two children (saving $28!). Visitors often overlook Bowen, but with fewer crowds, it is the perfect place to get the best of both worlds: outdoor and culture! This awe-inspiring inland lake with soft, pure, silica sand will never fail to blow you away! Featured Image: Picnic Bay, Magnetic Island Tourism & Events Queensland, Brisbane to Townsville Distance: 1,335km (one way). Below are listed just a few of our favourite things to do in Bundaberg: The Hinkler Hall of Aviation is all about Bert Hinkler a local aviation pioneer.