{"id":5486,"date":"2025-02-04T05:49:32","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T05:49:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5486"},"modified":"2026-02-17T00:29:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T00:29:24","slug":"a-spectacular-brisbane-to-mackay-road-trip-in-six-stops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/a-spectacular-brisbane-to-mackay-road-trip-in-six-stops\/","title":{"rendered":"A Spectacular Brisbane to Mackay Road Trip in Six Stops"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A road trip from Brisbane to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/car-hire\/au\/qld\/mackay\/\">Mackay<\/a> is a journey among unspoilt beaches, deserted islands and ancient rainforest.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Highlights include the idyllic beachside village of Noosa, the sweeping shores of K\u2019gari (the biggest sand island in the world) and the spectacular scenery around Rockhampton.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can complete the 11-hour, 1,000-kilometre drive at your own pace \u2013 be that just two or three days, or two or three weeks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However long you take, here are six stops you shouldn\u2019t miss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>BRIBIE ISLAND: FOR CALM BEACHES AND GREAT FISH AND CHIPS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Just <strong>2 hours<\/strong> north of Brisbane, Bribie is one of the easiest islands to reach on the Queensland coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to do in Bribie Island <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Swim in the calm waters at Bongaree<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hit the patrolled surf at Woorim Beach<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grab classic fish and chips with water views at Savige\u2019s Seafood or the Oyster Shed at Sandstone Point Hotel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finish with a stroll along the Bicentennial Trail through paperbark wetlands and eucalypt forest \u2014 keep an eye out for kangaroos, kookaburras, and emus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/20\/2025\/01\/Bribie-Island-Visit-Moreton-Bay-Region.jpeg\" alt=\"Bribie Island\" class=\"wp-image-5487 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/20\/2025\/01\/Bribie-Island-Visit-Moreton-Bay-Region.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/20\/2025\/01\/Bribie-Island-Visit-Moreton-Bay-Region-300x158.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/20\/2025\/01\/Bribie-Island-Visit-Moreton-Bay-Region-768x404.jpeg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/538;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image credit: Visit Moreton Bay Region<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>NOOSA: FOR MAGNIFICENT COASTAL SCENERY AND EXCELLENT RESTAURANTS&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another <strong>2 hours<\/strong> north brings you to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, renowned for its breathtaking views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to do in Noosa<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cool off with a swim at Main Beach<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Walk the iconic Coastal Walk that winds past tranquil coves, small beaches, and lookouts, all framed by the national park<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Back in town, take the river ferry to Tewantin or explore dining and shopping on Noosa\u2019s charming main street<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>K\u2019GARI: FOR WINDSWEPT BEACHES AND DREAMY LAGOONS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From Noosa, it\u2019s a <strong>4-hour<\/strong> journey (including ferry) to K\u2019gari (formerly Fraser Island) \u2014 the planet\u2019s largest sand island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to do in K&#8217;gari<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stroll along windswept beaches<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hike through lush rainforest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Swim in stunning lagoons (including one with tea tree oil and another naturally sparkling with bubbles)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Stay a day or longer \u2014 it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>BUNDABERG: FOR TURTLES AND COUNTRY TOWN HOSPITALITY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After another <strong>4 hours<\/strong> north (including the return ferry from K\u2019gari), arrive in Bundaberg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to do in Bundaberg<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>November\u2013March is turtle breeding season \u2014 join guided night-time encounters at Mon Repos Beach or snorkel with them off Lady Musgrave Island<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In town, enjoy laid-back country hospitality: visit the rum distillery, tour the Brewed Drinks Barrel (home of famous Bundaberg ginger beer), or explore Hinkler Hall of Aviation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>AGNES WATER AND 1770: FOR A CHANGE OF PACE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Drive <strong>80 minutes<\/strong> north from Bundaberg to these quieter coastal villages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to do in Anges Water and 1770<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Relax on unspoilt beaches like Agnes Water Main Beach (great for surfing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow the Power Pole Art Trail for colourful local artworks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wander the Eurimbula National Park trails and headlands with views over the Great Barrier Reef<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>ROCKHAMPTON<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2.5 hours<\/strong> north of Agnes Water lies <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/car-hire\/au\/qld\/rockhampton-airport\/\">Rockhampton.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to do in Rockhampton<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sample the famous beef at top steakhouses like Cocobrew, Criterion Hotel, or Red Lion Hotel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Catch your own barramundi on a fishing tour<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don\u2019t miss: the beautiful Botanic Gardens (with a free zoo), Rockhampton Museum of Art, and the Nurim Circuit Elevated Boardwalk for panoramic views<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>GETTING TO BRISBANE OR MACKAY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/car-hire\/au\/brisbane\/\">Brisbane<\/a> is ten hours\u2019 drive north of Sydney, and Mackay another 11 hours\u2019 drive north.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To minimise travel time while maximising road trip time, why not fly to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/car-hire\/au\/brisbane\/brisbane-airport\/\">Brisbane Airport<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/car-hire\/au\/qld\/mackay-airport\/\">Mackay Airport<\/a>, then jump into a SIXT car rental? We offer great service, a range of comfortable vehicles and a variety of optional extras.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A road trip from Brisbane to Mackay is a journey among unspoilt beaches, deserted islands and ancient rainforest.&nbsp; Highlights include the idyllic beachside village of Noosa, the sweeping shores of K\u2019gari (the biggest sand island in the world) and the spectacular scenery around Rockhampton.&nbsp; You can complete the 11-hour, 1,000-kilometre drive at your own pace&#8230;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[98,132,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-5486","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-brisbane","8":"tag-mackay","9":"tag-queensland","10":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - 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