We are travelling from Cairns to Brisbane in December. We should be somewhere between Airlie Beach and Rockhampton but don't know where exactly to spend Christmas. We would like to stop somewhere nice /comfortable for couple of days. We would prefer somewhere with a bit of life, nice hotels and restaurants.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Reply to this Hello Oisin 😊
I moved this to the Oceania forum.
Mel
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There is really very nearly nothing between the two except for Mackay. I prefer to drive that leg as fast as possible as can be tedious. Perhaps stay in Airlie or Hamilton Island for the day.
Reply to this Oh really, we plan to spend 22-23Dec at airlie beach and whitsundays so should really be further south for Christmas day if we are to keep on schedule. So is Mackay or Yeppoon or anywhere in that area worth stopping for 2 or 3 days or should we attempt to rush on down the coast to Hervey Bay? Is Rockhampton best avoided??
Reply to this Hi Oisin,
I haven't been there myself yet, but I've heard Hervey Bay is really nice.
Reply to this We used to live in Hervey Bay 14 years ago. It was only a sleepy coastal town back then. My sister went there over a month ago and told me how it changed so much it is now unrecognizable (in a nice way, that is). We're actually going to drive back there from Brisbane in about 6 hours. I heard Bundaberg is also worth a stop-over so we'll definitely check it out. We'll be around Bargara and Woodgate Beach hoping to spot some whales, dolphins, turtles and other marine life out there.
Have a wonderful Christmas !
Cheers !
Jo 😊
Reply to this Hi. I just came back from driving from Brisbane to Cairns. We kinda drove like mad through that area you mentioned because it was sooo vast and we were short of time, but we did stop at Arlie beach and went to the Whitsundays which was so fantastic and beautiful...I wished we had more time to stay. So I'm going to say stay there over xmas. You won't be disappointed. 1770 and Agnes water were tiny but cute...we went out to Lady musgrave island and it was fantastic. Hervey bay was okay - especially if you plan to go to Fraser Island. I liked Bundaberg...it was a cute little town for a visit but we didn't hit any of the beaches near there. Rockhampton, Gladstone, Townsville, Mackay were all just towns...with their own charm but nothing really exciting...I'm sure other people would have other opinions. It was hard to see and do everything, we had to blow through certain places. We liked the hippy charm of Mission beach. Loved Rainbow beach and camped at Inskip. We saw so many turtles, whales, dolphins. It was so cool. Have a wonderful xmas.
Reply to this Hey! I'll be up at the Whitsundays over Christmas 😊 I'll be there until the 26th if you're around there. Airlie Beach area
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