Sweet escapes along the Pacific Coast Way
Bundaberg and Mackay share a sweet connection with strong historic and economic ties to the sugar cane farming industry that continue to this day.
This 623km road trip is flanked by sublime beaches, delectable agricultural roots and acts as a gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, with plenty of idyllic island-hopping opportunities across various jump-off points.
Bundaberg: Where nature meets agri-tourism
From the rich, red dirt of its cane fields in the south to its idyllic beaches to the east, the Bundaberg region is home to the Great Barrier Reef, totally wild natural encounters and rich agri-tourism experiences championing fresh local food as Bundy’s food bowl reputation continues to grow.
Stay: Perfect for families, both Turtle Sands (opened in September 2024) and working cattle property Splitters Farm, offer a range of accommodation options including camping and glamping.
Alternatively, spend a night on top of the Great Barrier Reef glamping on the Lady Musgrave HQ pontoon.
Play: Bundaberg is home to not one but two iconic Aussie beverage producers – Bundaberg Rum and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks – both of which have a deep and passionate connection to the town’s sugar cane industry.
It also doesn’t get sweeter than a visit to Tinaberries, a strawberry farm where you can pick your own or grab a fresh punnet from the farm during strawberry season (June to October).
For a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter, experience turtles nesting and hatchlings emerging at Mon Repos between November and March – home to the largest loggerhead turtle rookery
in the Southern Hemisphere.
Dine: A trip to Bundaberg isn’t complete without a mouthwatering
feast at Water St Kitchen with its sumptuous seasonal menu shining a spotlight on local produce.
An aerial view of Lady Musgrave Island.
Gladstone: Gateway to reef adventures
Travel time between Bundaberg and Gladstone is about two hours so there’s ample time to swing in and spend some time in the seaside townships of 1770 and Agnes Water.
Agnes Beach is Queensland's most northerly surf beach and popular among surfers – or paddle out to watch the sun set over the ocean with 1770 Liquid Adventures. Hop aboard LARC! Tours’ bright pink amphibious vehicle for a quirky exploration of the surrounding waterways.
Gladstone is one of the best jump-off points for some of the most incredible diving and snorkelling spots along the Great Barrier Reef.
Secluded paradise islands Heron and Wilson overlook fringing reefs and lure snorkellers and divers with pristine azure waters and marine life.
Stay: Relax in style at Peppers Gladstone, which opened in February 2025. It is the first newly built hotel in the region for more than a decade and its first five-star hotel. Or, head offshore to Heron Island or Wilson Island to soak up the laid-back vibes.
Play: The world’s most famous undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau listed Heron Bommie – an ancient coral mountain at Heron Island – as one of his favourite dive sites in the world. From turtles to bird watching, coral reefs and dive sites, there’s an unmatched connection to nature on Heron Island.
Dine: Back on the mainland, Rocksalt Bar & Restaurant, within the Gladstone Central Hotel, features modern Australian dining for those feeling peckish.
Exploring Capricorn Caves, north of Rockhampton. Photo Tourism and Events Queensland.
Rockhampton: Beef capital with a wild side
The drive from Gladstone to Rockhampton will take about an hour. Adventure-seekers will revel in the four-wheel driving, fishing and camping opportunities on offer across these regions.
Head east along the rugged coastline to jump over to Curtis Island, home to the third largest flatback turtle rookery in Queensland and the rare Capricorn yellow chat – it is thought only 200-300 of the birds remain in the wild. The island is accessible by a regular ferry service departing Gladstone Harbour.
Rocky is the beef capital of Australia – a title the region more than lives up to thanks to its proud cattle industry – but it’s stunning heritage architecture and gob-smacking natural landscapes serve up something unexpected.
Stay: Built in 1886, Denison Boutique Hotel is one of Rockhampton's most extraordinary historic buildings offering 18 luxury suites right in the centre of town.
Closer to the coast, the chic Yeppoon Surfside Motel is an Insta-worthy renovated boutique hotel right opposite the waterfront.
Play: A 30-minute drive north from Rockhampton lies the Capricorn Caves – an awe-inspiring natural spectacle where visitors explore towering ancient geological formations alongside expert guides who weave historic tales of how the caves were formed while showcasing the wildlife and endangered species that call the caves home.
Dine: The beef capital of Australia serves up some hearty dining options including Headricks Lane’s meaty menu from a 250g eye fillet to a 1.2kg tomahawk, paying homage to the town’s local produce. The restaurant has vegetarians covered too, serving up tasty plant-based plates such as honey-baked brie and dukkah roast pumpkin.
Taking in the natural wonders of Eungella National Park. Photo Tourism and Events Queensland.
Mackay: Nature’s final act
The final leg of this road trip traverses the Pacific Coast way from Rockhampton to Mackay – taking around four hours to drive.
Before starting the journey, take the opportunity to head back out to the Great Barrier Reef with an overnight stay on Great Keppel Island at Great Keppel Island Hideaway.
Sprawling national parks, golden beaches and the Great Barrier Reef – it’s time to round out this road trip with one final pit stop in Mackay.
Take a walk on the wild side through unspoiled Eungella National Park, which rises 800m above sea level or be enthralled by Cape Hillsborough’s dramatic landscape formed by its volcanic past.
Stay: A haven nestled in the forest and within Cape Hillsborough National Park is Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park where holidaymakers wake up to witness one of the State’s most incredible natural encounters – watching the sun rise over the beach as the national park’s resident kangaroos and wallabies hop on down to the sand for ‘breakfast’, feeding on mangrove seed pods and seaweed.
Play: West of Mackay is Eungella National Park, one of Queensland’s most ecologically diverse parks. It is home to one of the most reliable spots in Australia – Broken River – to catch a glimpse of the elusive platypus in the wild.
Get moving with a hike to Finch Hatton Gorge, the volcanic boulder formations that surround it making this a unique spot to explore alongside the gorge’s waterfalls and serene rock pools; an ideal place for a dip after a long trek.
Dine: Just a block back from the Pioneer River in Mackay’s CBD sits local favourite Fusion 128, where modern Australian dishes are infused with native bush herbs and culinary influences from Asian and French cusines.
Start planning a Queensland road trip today at Queensland.com.
Read about the Gold Coast to Fraser Coast leg of the Pacific Coast Way.
The Road Ahead and Tourism and Events Queensland have partnered to promote the Pacific Coast Way and its many attractions. You can read about the final leg of the journey, Mackay to Cairns, in the next edition.
Next story →
Related topics
Things to note
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance Products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQI) and arranged by its agent, RACQ Distribution Services Pty Ltd (RDS) ABN 35 116 361 650, AFSL 567130 and RDS' authorised representatives (including RACQ Operations Pty Ltd ABN 80 009 663 414, AR No. 234978 (RACQO). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. RDS and RACQO are in the RACQ group of companies. One of the companies in the RACQ group of companies has a minority shareholding in RACQI.
RDS and RACQO have not taken your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account when preparing advice regarding insurance products and you will need to consider whether the advice is appropriate for you. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website. RDS receives a commission from RACQI for the policies it arranges. RACQO receives fees paid for services it provides to RDS. Further details about remuneration are available on request prior to purchasing.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Bank subscribes to the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice which establishes higher standards than the law requires. The Code reflects modern consumer expectations and developments in approaches to issues such as consumer vulnerability, guarantors, and supporting customers through financial hardship. Please read our Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice page for more information.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.