The ultimate Brisbane to The Whitsundays road trip itinerary, follow the Bruce Highway north along Queensland’s tropical Pacific coast and taking in the best places to stop including Agnes Water and Hervey Bay!
Brisbane to The Whitsundays is approximately a 1100km drive. Below we have mapped out the perfect itinerary including a couple of must do’s on your way!
Day 1 – Brisbane to Agnes Water
Stop: Hervey Bay | 280km North of Brisbane | 3.5-hour drive
Jump on the A1 (Bruce Highway) leaving Brisbane and then the State Route 57 to Hervey Bay. Hervey Bay is a beautiful seaside town that makes for excellent whale watching, swimming and wandering around in the open salty air. Grab a bite to eat and stroll the esplanade before you hop back in the car to continue your journey.
Photo credit: @visitfrasercoast
Last stop: Agnes Water | 225km North of Hervey Bay | 3-hour drive
The first leg of your journey ends in the small, twin villages of Agnes Water and The Town of 1770 (the first place in Queensland where Captain Cook came ashore back in the year 1770). These slow-paced seaside towns are renowned as the southernmost jumping-off point for reef tours and the northernmost surfing beach in Australia.
With beachfront accommodation and friendly locals, this is the perfect place to break up your journey.
Photo credit: @_markfitz
Day 2 – Agnes Water to Yeppoon
Stop: Yeppoon | 265km North of Agnes Water | 3-hour drive
Yeppoon is situated 38 kilometres northeast of Rockhampton and is the gateway to Great Keppel Island and the wonders of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Wander down Yeppoon’s main street or stroll the esplanade to browse beach-chic boutiques and surf stores and keep an eye out for one of the many street art murals. There is a wide range of restaurants, cafés and clubs catering to all tastes and budgets. The Yeppoon Lagoon is the perfect place to relax, the 2500 square-metre resort-style lagoon pool is located right on the beachfront and includes a swim-up infinity edge with stunning views over the Keppel Islands.
Day 3 – Yeppoon to Airlie Beach
Stop: Airlie Beach | 498km North of Yeppoon | 5.5-hour drive
Make your way onto the Bruce Highway and follow the Bruce Highway until you reach Proserpine.
Photo credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
Click here for your Whitsundays Itineraries!
Want to know how to get back to Brisbane? Click here