If you’re chasing sun, stunning beaches, and relaxed coastal towns, a Sunshine Coast to Yeppoon road trip should be on your bucket list. This scenic stretch of Queensland’s East Coast combines beaches, charming seaside towns, and unique wildlife experiences — all within a few hours’ drive of each other.

To help you plan, we’ve included a free interactive map so you can easily follow the route, save each stop, and plan your own Queensland coastal adventure. All of the holiday parks featured on this trip were conveniently booked through G’Day Parks app, making it simple to organise your stay along the way!

Below, we share our favourite stops and must-do experiences along the route:

Sunshine Coast to Yeppoon Road Trip Summary Guide

Distance: ~1,000km
Duration:5 days (fast-paced), 7 days (recommended for a relaxed road trip) 8+ days (slow travel with extra stops and day trips)
Best for: Relaxation seekers, beach lovers, families
Closest airports: Sunshine Coast Airport, Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine)

When to go:

Winter (June – August): Perfect driving conditions, sunny days, and ideal for beach walks
Spring (Sept – Nov): Warmer ocean temperatures and great for wildlife encounters, mindful of stingers in the Barrier Reef

Tin Can Bay & Rainbow Beach: A MUST visit stop on the East Coast

Tin Can Bay is a quiet coastal town and a relaxing stop on the drive north. We stayed at Tin Can Bay Tourist Park, a peaceful base close to the water. Take time to walk the scenic coastal pathway, where you can spot birds and local wildlife, or try fishing - the area is well known for mud crabbing!

Just 30 minutes away, Rainbow Beach in Great Sandy National Park is a MUST VISIT! I’d recommend actually staying there if you can. This vibrant seaside town offers great cafés (don’t miss The Little Parliament), relaxed pubs, a surf club, and a stunning patrolled beach in summer. Always swim between the flags as conditions can be rough here!

Rainbow Beach is popular for 4WD beach driving and is the gateway to K’gari. You can book tours to K’Gari or hire 4WD for a day etc Rainbow Beach is absolutely incredible, drive to the top of Cooloola, park up and walk 15 mins through the bushwalk to Carlo Sand Blow — a spectacular sand dune with sweeping coastal views and one of the best sunset spots along the East Coast! This place feels like you’ve landed on Mars.

Tip: Visit Carlo Sand Blow late afternoon for golden light and arrive early at Rainbow Beach in peak season to avoid crowds.

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Hervey Bay: Quiet Coastal Stop

Hervey Bay is an incredibly quiet and peaceful coastal stop, perfect for slowing down the pace of your road trip. We stayed at Discovery Parks – Hervey Bay, a comfortable and convenient base close to the beach. The calm, protected waters and relaxed atmosphere make it an ideal place to unwind, enjoy long walks along the esplanade, or simply relax by the ocean.

For dinner, we recommend Paolo’s Pizza Bar on the esplanade — a great spot for delicious Italian food right by the water and a lovely place to spend a relaxed evening. Hervey Bay is also well known for whale watching season (July–October), when humpback whales pass through the bay.

Tip: Head out for a sunset stroll along the foreshore and plan dinner on the esplanade to soak up the peaceful coastal atmosphere.

Burrum Shores: Epic Beachfront Camping!

Burrum Shores beachfront campground is one of the best campgrounds we’ve stayed at on our East Coast road trip! It’s a bit of a rocky road getting in, but the motorhome managed ine, so just it take it easy. It’s the perfect place to slow down, switch off, and truly relax for a few days. Set right by the water, the peaceful surroundings make it easy to unwind and enjoy nature.

This was honestly one of our favourite camping spots of the trip — so much so that we barely left the campground. If you’re looking for a quiet stop to recharge before continuing the drive north, Burrum Shores is the ideal place to do it.

Bundaberg: The best farm stay?!

Around 1 hour north of Burrum Shores, and 15 mins from Bundaberg CBD is Splitters Farm, is peaceful and memorable stop on the drive! We stayed for three days, which felt like the perfect amount of time to relax and fully experience everything on offer. Surrounded by friendly farm animals and wide-open space, it’s a unique stay that combines nature, comfort, and plenty of activities!

The hospitality from the staff is fantastic, and there’s so much to do during your stay — from guided farm tours and damper-making experiences to meeting the many animals that roam freely around the property. The friendly goats were a definite highlight! In the cooler months, the fire pits create a cosy atmosphere for relaxed evenings under the stars.

While you’re based here, take time to explore nearby Bundaberg CBD and visit the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery. For a great local dining spot, head to Grunske’s By The River Seafood Market overlooking the Burnett River. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy fresh local seafood — we highly recommend the seafood platter! Supporting local businesses here is especially important following the March floods.

Tip: Allow at least a few days at Splitters Farm to enjoy the activities and slower pace, and plan a late afternoon visit to Grunske’s to catch sunset over the river.

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Agnes Water & Town of 1770: Coastal Walks, Surf & Sunset Views

Agnes Water and the nearby Town of 1770 are relaxed coastal gems and a beautiful stop on the drive north. We stayed at 1770 Holiday Village, a peaceful and well-located base to explore the area. Known as one of the last surf beaches before the Great Barrier Reef, it’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy the ocean, and soak up the laid-back beach town atmosphere.

One of the highlights here is the walking trail through Joseph Banks Conservation Park, leading to stunning coastal lookouts over Bustard Bay. Be sure to visit the Cook Monument and headland viewing points — an incredible sunset spot and one of the best views along this stretch of coastline.

The whole area has a quiet, untouched feel that reminded us of Noosa or Byron Bay before the crowds, making it a definite up-and-coming holiday destination. There are also some lovely cafés in town for a relaxed breakfast or coffee stop.

For dinner, make sure you try 1770 Japanese — honestly some of the most traditional Japanese food we’ve had outside of Japan. Having lived in Japan for several years, this was such a standout and an absolute must-visit while you’re here.

Tip: Walk through Joseph Banks Conservation Park in the late afternoon and finish at the headland for sunset over Bustard Bay — it’s unforgettable.

Tannum Sands: Quiet Coastal Stop

Tannum Sands is a quiet, laid-back coastal town and a great place to slow things down on the drive north. We stayed at Discovery Parks – Tannum Sands, a relaxed base right near the beach.

Make sure to check out Wattle Creek Beach and the Wattle Creek walking track, obviously be Croc wise in croc country! But it’s got beautiful coastal and mangrove scenery. If you time it right, you’ll also spot blue soldier crabs scattered across the sand, which is such a cool thing to see!
For the evening, we highly recommend heading to the local pub on the hill. It has unreal sunset views over the water and good vibes.

Tip: Visit Wattle Creek at low tide for the best chance to see the soldier crabs, and head to the pub just before sunset for the best views.

Great Keppel Island & Yeppoon: Small Towns & Island Adventures

Keppel Sands is a quiet, off-the-beaten-path coastal town just 30 mins from Yeppoon and just 60 mins outside of Rockhampton.
From here, you’re perfectly positioned to explore the Southern Great Barrier Reef, with Great Keppel Island being an absolute must-do! You can catch the ferry from Rosslyn Bay Marina (around $60 pp return), with long-vehicle parking available if needed. It makes for an easy and awesome day trip with crystal-clear water, white sandy beaches, incredible snorkelling, and scenic island hikes.

Just a short drive away, Yeppoon offers boutiques, great cafés, restaurants, and a lively beachfront. The Yeppoon Lagoon is a highlight, a beautiful infinity-style public pool overlooking the ocean, perfect for a swim or the kids. The esplanade is great for a walk, with plenty of spots to grab coffee or dinner by the water - we highly recommend Drapes Deli for a great feed!!!

From the Sunshine Coast to Yeppoon, this stretch of road is filled with quiet coastal towns, endless ocean views, and tons of hidden gems!
Next up, we’re continuing north, and heading towards the tropics, where rugged coastlines, island escapes, and some of Queensland’s most untouched landscapes are waiting!

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Epic Sunshine Coast to Yeppoon Road Trip Itinerary + FREE MAP!