The journey of a lifetime: road trip Bundaberg to Cape York
Road Trip
By Danielle Reckless
Looking for an incredible Queensland holiday? How about a road trip that takes in our biggest icons, from rum to the Reef, with endless World Heritage-listed beauty and awe-inspiring encounters in between.
Take a few weeks of annual leave, and go on the trip of a lifetime with this road trip guide from Bundaberg to Cape York.
Day 1: Bundaberg
It seems fitting that your first taste of Queensland on a road trip from Bundaberg to Cape York should begin with one of Queensland’s most iconic tastes. The giant yellow label welcomes you to Bundaberg Rum Distillery, home to 130 years of rum-making and now a state-of-the-art visitors centre, museum, and guided tour where you’ll learn the ins and outs of how this famously Queensland spirit is crafted.
For those that want to try their hand at becoming a Master Blender, the Blend Your Own Rum Experience will teach you how to create a rum to match your tastes – perhaps an ideal souvenir for the many sunset happy hours to come on the journey.
This afternoon, make your way 20-minutes outside the city to the beach at Mon Repos, an important turtle conservation site which hosts the largest loggerhead turtle rookery in the Southern Hemisphere. While you may not be here for nesting and hatching season (November – March), the stretch of beach is beautiful explore and the Turtle Centre offers fascinating insight into the lives of turtles and efforts to protect them.
Overnight: Camp or glamp among 160 acres of bush at Splitters Farm.
Drive time (approx.): Local driving only.
Day 2: Lady Musgrave Island
Your first sight of the Great Barrier Reef is on board a luxury 35-metre catamaran with advanced eco-certified Lady Musgrave Experience. Arrive at Bundaberg Port Marina bright and early to begin the adventure. A two hour cruise through sparkling blue waters will land you at their pontoon off Lady Musgrave Island. A marine wonderland, the little island is surrounded by a 3,000-acre lagoon teeming with life, from manta rays and sea turtles to tropical fish and coral in every size, shape and colour.
The best part of visiting with Lady Musgrave Experience is you can do it all: swim, snorkel, and take a glass bottom boat tour or a guided island walk to discover more wildlife. There’s also the option to add a scuba dive or sign up to become a marine biologist for a day and help collect important research data while you explore.
Overnight: Sleep on the reef at Lady Musgrave HQ, or return back to your mainland accommodation.
Drive time (approx.): Local driving only.
Stay a while: If you have the time to take it easy, head inland from Bundaberg for a taste of the bush. Cania Gorge National Park is a camping and hiking haven, and you’ll pass by landmarks like the Boolboonda Tunnel and Three Moon Silos on the way.
Day 3: Agnes Water & 1770
Grab breakfast in town at Grindstone Coffee House then hit the road early this morning – it’s just 90 minutes’ drive to a true coastal gem, Gladstone’s sparkling twin towns of Agnes Water and 1770. The pace here is that beautiful, unrushed feel of the coast where life is ruled by the tides, whether you’re heading out for a surf, casting a line or 4WDing to remote beaches.
Stretch your legs along the enchanting Paperbark Trail, then seek some solitude along the coastline at Chinaman’s Beach. If you want to explore the area’s more untouched corners and learn local history along the way, this amphibious craft tour is the best way to do it, complete with sand boarding down towering dunes and peeks into life as a lighthouse keeper.
Overnight: Agnes Water Holiday Park or Traveller’s Rest 1770 offer a slice of tranquillity, whether you prefer to wake up to beach or bush views.
Drive time (approx.): One and a half hours.
Stay a while: Use this guide to uncover local secrets.
Day 4: Yeppoon
Another 300km of bitumen lies between you and Yeppoon – Capricorn region’s charming coastal town and gateway to the Keppel Islands. Make Capricorn Coast National Park your first stop. The park has four separate accessible sections that stretch from Yeppoon to Emu Park, but if you have time for just one, make it Bluff Point. BYO picnic and enjoy the views – the walk to Turtle Lookout is worth it.
This afternoon, take a sunset dip at Yeppoon Lagoon, explore the town’s street art, and grab dinner at Vue Wine Bar or The Waterline Restaurant.
Overnight: Take your pick from our Yeppoon accommodation guide.
Drive time (approx.): Three and a half hours.
Stay a while: Take the time to experience more of what makes Yeppoon special.
Day 5: The Keppel Islands
Leave the car parked and let the locals show you around their backyard today. You’ll need sunscreen, swimwear and a sense of adventure as you jump in a small sightseeing RIB with Keppel Explorer to discover the beauty of The Keppel Islands. Island-hopping between pristine beaches, sea caves and coral reef, the day blends the opportunity to explore with time to soak it all in – and see a side of the region that few others do.
More of a scuba diver? Keppel Dive and Snorkel will show you the best spots.
Overnight: Take your pick from our Yeppoon accommodation guide.
Drive time (approx.): Local driving only.
Stay a while: Great Keppel Island is a quiet hideaway you might never want to leave.
Day 6: Byfield National Park to Mackay
You need to get some miles under your tyres today, but this is Queensland – so take it easy and start with a little natural immersion. And by that, we mean immerse yourself in the refreshing waters of Stony Creek and wonders of Byfield National Park.
One of the largest unspoiled ecosystems on the east coast, Byfield is jam-packed with rainforests, rugged mountains, rolling sand dunes, and more. Upper Stony Creek recreation area is accessed via an unsealed road suitable for 2wd vehicles, however much of the national park is 4WD access only – particularly if you want to venture to Five Rocks Beach.
After a soak, hit the road for Mackay. Refuel after the drive with a degustation at The Flackyard, where Australian native ingredients and local produce steal the show. Up here, they call it ‘fine bush dining’ and if there’s a meal you won’t forget on this road trip, this is it.
Overnight: Plan ahead and nab a coveted spot at Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park for a front-row sleep to tomorrow’s action.
Drive time (approx.): Four and a half hours.
Stay a while: Set up camp in Byfield National Park for a few days before you head north.
Day 7: Mackay
Today is all about wild encounters: starting with wallabies and ending with platypus. Wake before sunrise and venture down to the sands of Casuarina Beach for one of Australia’s most iconic sights: the daily show of wallabies on the beach. Breakfast for these guys is the mangrove seed pods that arrive after high tide – and it’s a buffet that you’re invited to watch (from a respectful distance). For the most mesmerising experience, book a ranger-led tour.
Grab your own breakfast at 9th Lane Grind back in Mackay, then drive through fields of sugarcane and into the misty mountains of Eungella National Park. Here, discover hiking trails to Finch Hatton Gorge (a great swimming spot), look for platypus at Broken River, and take in the views from Sky Window Lookout.
For a truly unique experience, join Rainforest Scuba for a dive into the crystal clear waters of Finch Hatton for the chance to witness platypus, turtles and other rainforest species go about their day - no scuba certification required.
Overnight: Settle into luxury among wildlife at The Feathered Nest.
Drive time (approx.): Two hours.
Stay a while: Spend more time on the hiking trails, or discover the reef, islands and coastal wonders that surround Mackay.
Day 8: Airlie Beach
Time to swap those misty mountains for the magic of Australia’s paradise. With Airlie Beach in your sights, it won’t be hard to motivate yourself to jump out of bed this morning. It’s a few hours’ driving before you pull into this seaside village, but before you do, stop at Cedar Creek Falls. The secret is out on this waterfall hidden among the lush green of a region known for its sparkling blues, but it’s a detour well worth taking to see a whole other side of The Whitsundays, along with another opportunity for a wild swim.
Settle into Airlie Beach this afternoon and start with a stroll along the marina, some window-shopping, and then kick back at a local watering hole. There’s no shortage of dining destinations to choose from tonight, though the unbeatable combination of local seafood and mojitos continually makes Fish D’vine a front-runner for best restaurant in town.
Overnight: Your pick of Airlie Beach accommodation.
Drive time (approx.): 2 hours.
Day 9: Whitehaven Beach & Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsundays is a playground of adventure among an awe-inspiring island landscape like nowhere else on earth. But if you only have one day here, you simply must make your way to Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island.
Red Cat Adventures will lead you to Whitehaven and other incredible spots on an exhilarating day-trip from Airlie Beach. The Thundercat is one of the fastest catamarans in The Whitsundays, and with a small group of fellow adventurers you’ll speed through the archipelago, sinking your toes into the sand at Whitehaven Beach, taking in the views of Hill Inlet, and diving in for a snorkel at two secret spots on the Great Barrier Reef.
Ride the adrenalin high and hit the highway once you’re back on dry land. Stop en route for seafood dinner by the docks at Bird’s Fish Bar in Bowen. Or, save your appetite for a late-night bite along The Strand once you arrive in Townsville.
Overnight: Check into accommodation in the heart of Townsville.
Drive time (approx.): 3 hours.
Stay a while: Discover more of The Whitsundays on a sailing adventure, or bliss out on Hamilton Island for a few days.
Day 10: Townsville
You've encountered the Reef a few times already on this road trip from Bundaberg to Cape York, but the Museum of Underwater Art offers a totally unique Great Barrier Reef experience. The first underwater art museum in the Southern Hemisphere, MOUA is not only an art installation but a habitat for marine life and coral restoration site, bringing new life to the Reef. Adrenalin Dive is among a small group of local tour operators licenced to explore the mind-bending MOUA. Sign up for the two-dive day trip where you’ll descend beneath to explore the Coral Greenhouse at John Brewer Reef, and Nelly Bay at Magnetic Island.
But if you’re craving a day with both feet on dry land, bend your mind at the Museum of Tropical Queensland, take in views from the top of Castle Hill, seek sand and sips along The Strand, and just enjoy the laid-back bustle of this charming city by the sea.
Overnight: Your Townsville accommodation.
Drive time (approx.): Local driving only.
Stay a while: Magnetic Island is calling.
Day 11: Mission Beach
A few more hours north along Bruce Highway brings you to Mission Beach, a hidden gem of the tropics where you can ride bikes along the beach and through the rainforest, spot wild cassowaries, and be inspired by the sense of community that thrives here.
But one of the biggest adventures is delivered thanks to nature. Sign up for a whitewater rafting trip with Raging Thunder and you’ll tackle the grade 2 and 3 rapids of Tully River, propelled by the torrent of water rushing through World Heritage Wet Tropics rainforest.
Overnight: Mission Beach offers everything from campsites to beach resorts.
Drive time (approx.): 3 hours.
Stay a while: Take time to take it in, and visit nearby islands too.
Day 12: Cairns
Make tracks toward Cairns this morning. With easy pit-stops in special places like Paronella Park, Babinda Boulders, an indulgent lunch at Nu Nu in Palm Cove, and all the scenery along Great Barrier Reef Drive, the journey truly rivals your destination – which might be in a league of its own.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve is more than just an eco-escape home to treetop bungalows overlooking the solitude of Oak Beach: it’s an environmental success story. The 58-hectare sanctuary transformed a once degraded sugar plantation into a paradise home to hundreds of native bird, butterfly and wallaby species – which guests can discover on nature walks, a coconut tour, and stargazing opportunities. Dine among the treetops at Osprey’s or settle in for a spa treatment. Nature comes first here, and so do you.
Overnight: Thala Beach Nature Reserve.
Drive time (approx.): Three hours.
Stay a while: Cairns offers a world of adventures from the rainforest to the reef, and plenty of fun in the city too.
Day 13: Daintree & Cape Tribulation
Venture deeper into the trees today, where two World Heritage areas meet. One of the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforests and home to over 60,000 years of Indigenous history, the Daintree sounds impressive on paper – but walk among its thriving life and you’ll gain an even deeper appreciation for its significance.
Back Country Bliss offers unique full day and half day tours, where you can experience the magic of the Daintree from above and below the water. Floating effortlessly, bask in the cool, clear water, keeping an eye out for rainforest inhabitants as butterflies and birds pass above.
We recommend signing up for the half-day tour so you have time this afternoon to explore other local sights. Favourites include the Daintree Discovery Centre, Masons swimming hole, or a unique trot along the beach with Cape Trib Horse Rides.
Overnight: Use this guide to choose your base.
Drive time (approx.): Two hours
Stay a while: Soak up more time in the region and take an Indigenous tour.
Day 14: Bloomfield Track to Cooktown
Things only get wilder as you make your way to Cooktown – the gateway to the Cape York Peninsula and Australia’s northernmost wilderness. How you get there depends on your ride. If you’re driving 2WD, you’ll need to backtrack a little today and take the inland Mulligan Highway north to Cooktown.
This adventure is built for 4WD, so if that’s you, get ready to steer yourself along The Bloomfield Track, one of the most scenic 4WD drives in Queensland that stretches from the rainforest to the reef and feels a little outback too.
It’s not all time behind the wheel, though. Stop en route for a dip at Emmagen Creek, sink your toes into the sand at Cowie Beach, and pause in wonder at Wujal Wujal Falls – a sacred site of the Kuku Yalanji people (resident crocs makes this a waterfall to appreciate out of the water).
Pull up a chair at iconic Lions Den Hotel for a schooner and pub meal, where you could easily get caught up having a yarn for a few hours, before exploring nearby Trevathan Falls, and the final 30 minute hop to Cooktown.
Get the lay of the land this afternoon with a wander along Cooktown’s wharf to see the Milbi Wall, which tells the story of the Guugu Yimithirr people and their first contact with European settlers, or learn more about the town’s history at the museum.
Overnight: Cooktown Holiday Park offers cabins and powered sites.
Drive time (approx.): Two hours (around four hours for the Mulligan Highway route)
Day 15: Cooktown
One of Queensland’s most unforgettable Indigenous experiences, hand over guide duties and spend the day with Aboriginal Traditional Owners.
Culture Connect invites you to journey 70km from Cooktown to Normanby Station, the homelands of Cape York’s Balnggarrawarra People. Here, you’ll explore the land’s diversity on foot from rocky escarpments to tropical savannah, discover ancient rock art galleries few others get to see, learn stories passed down through the generations over thousands of years, and gain insight into how traditional bush food and medicine coexist with the contemporary culture of the Balnggarrawarra people who manage current ranger programs that include cultural mapping, erosion control, and environmental protection.
The experience gives greater meaning to the magnificent yet harsh landscapes of Cape York, and a fitting way to end your road trip, should it be time to return home.
Overnight: Cooktown Holiday Park.
Drive time (approx.): Local driving only, or four hours if you’re headed back to Cairns.
Stay a while: Spend 48 hours in Cooktown to soak up its history and character.
Want to continue this epic road trip from Bundaberg to Cape York all the way to The Tip?
Australia’s last frontier is calling: Pajinka, the northernmost tip of mainland Australia, is a remote spot that only the most adventurous reach.
It’s another 900km up the road to reach The Tip. Rugged roads, deep creek crossings, crocs and the infamous Old Telegraph Track await – this journey isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll need solid 4WD experience and solid gear to do it properly, but this drive will be the adventure of a lifetime.
The must-dos:
- Have a swim at Fruit Bat Falls (one of the few croc-safe swimming spots in the Cape)
- Snap your photo at the iconic sign that marks ‘The Tip’
- Have a celebratory beer at The Corrugation Bar at Punsand Bay campground
- Take the opportunity to explore the Torres Strait Islands on a day tour with Torres Strait Eco Adventures
Sounds a little intimidating? Here’s some helpful guides to prepare:
