Driving from Townsville to Brisbane: Things to See Along the Way
The Bruce Highway between Townsville and Brisbane is home to many perfect places to stop off and make great memories. The journey between these two destinations is around 1,300 km in length, so you need to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy it.
You should allow two full days at least; more if possible. You could even hire a car from cairns and choose an extended trip along this famous highway. No matter which option you choose, there are plenty of things to see along the way. Here are three of the best places to stop, between Townsville and Brisbane.
Airlie Beach
Airlie beach is a great place to visit as it's set up to cater for visitors. This is due to its popularity as a tourist destination, due to its proximity to the Whitsunday Islands. The Whitsundays is home to some of the most spectacular scenery to be found in this part of the world. So, it's worth planning to stop off at Airlie Beach for a couple of days at least.
Rockhampton
Rockhampton is situated around halfway between Townsville and Brisbane. This makes it a good place to have a break from driving and enjoy some relaxation. The city is also worth a visit thanks to its interesting history. It was first populated during the gold rush. This makes it one of the oldest cities in the area, and a fascinating place to spend some time on your road trip.
Over the years, Rockhampton has become known as the beef capital of Australia, and the area is still home to many cattle to this day. It's this beef rearing history that led to much of the funding for the architecture in the city. Many of the buildings are Victorian and they make for an impressive sight.
If you do decide to stop off in Rockhampton, you should pay a visit to Rockhampton Botanic Gardens. There are many walks available, so you can stretch your legs before you continue on your journey.
Bundaberg
Paying a visit to Bundaberg involves taking a detour off the Bruce Highway, but the extra mileage is worthwhile. At any time of year Bundaberg is an interesting place to visit. There is a rum distillery in town and the Mon Repos Conservation Park is home to some impressive scenery.
A stop off at Bundaberg is especially worthwhile during the turtle season. From November to January the sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach. These eggs hatch and the baby turtles start to make their way to the water between January and March. The sea turtles are certainly a major attraction in this area, and should not be missed if you are traveling the Bruce Highway at the right time of year.
You can see why it makes sense to give yourself plenty of time to travel between Townsville and Brisbane. There are many amazing things to see, and inviting places to stop off along the way.