The route at a glance
The Rockhampton–Rainbow Beach corridor.
The Rockhampton to Rainbow Beach bus is a regional intercity coach corridor of 476 kilometres. Coach journey time is around 8 hours, with rest stops dictated by each operator's timetable. Premier Motor Service, Greyhound Australia and FlixBus Australia run scheduled services on this corridor, giving you a choice of departure times and price points. Book at least a week ahead during school holidays and long weekends; fares rise quickly close to the departure date.
Typical calling points
- RockhamptonQLD
- Mount LarcomQLD
- Miriam ValeQLD
- Agnes WaterQLD
- BundabergQLD
- ChildersQLD
- HowardQLD
- Hervey BayQLD
- MaryboroughQLD
- Rainbow BeachQLD
Typical stops on this corridor. Actual calling points vary by operator and service.
Journey essentials
- Onboard
- Wi-Fi · Toilet · USB charging · Wheelchair access
- Luggage
- 1 × 40kg checked bag
Compare operators
Who runs this route.
FlixBus Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingEco-friendly40kg luggageConnecting service, change at Bundaberg Depot.
Bookon FlixBus AustraliaFrom$81Services
Depart Arrive Runs 12:35 AM 8:30 AM Daily Premier Motor Service
Toilet20kg luggageBookon Premier Motor ServiceFrom$99Services
Depart Arrive Runs 12:15 AM 7:40 AM Daily Greyhound Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggagerestored after bogus-no-service deletion 2026-05-07
Bookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$226Services
Depart Arrive Runs 12:20 AM 8:20 AM Daily 7:15 PM 4:00 AM+1 Daily
Fares are indicative. Live pricing may vary by date and availability. AusBus earns a small commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you.
Spotted an error or a missing operator on this route? Let us know.
Cheaper as separate tickets?
Save up to $39 by splitting this trip.
Booking this journey as separate tickets at each stop can be cheaper than the through-fare. We compared each operator's through-fare against the lowest combined price for each pair of segments and surfaced the splits that beat the direct fare by at least $5 and 10%.
via
Hervey Bay
- Leg 1
Rockhampton → Hervey Bay
FlixBus Australia · 6h 10m
$28Book leg 1 - Leg 2
Hervey Bay → Rainbow Beach
FlixBus Australia · 2h 3m
$14Book leg 2
Important
- Each leg is a separate ticket; operators do not protect a missed connection on one leg with the other operator's service. Build a buffer; don't book back-to-back.
- Luggage allowance, accessibility provisions and refund rules may differ between operators. Confirm each operator's policy on their booking page before paying.
- Fares shown are the lowest indicative price we've observed and may not match the live operator quote on your specific date. Final price is confirmed at checkout on each operator's site.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
Mid-week departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are typically cheaper than Friday afternoon or Sunday services. Booking three to four days ahead is usually enough outside school holidays. Arrive at the terminal at least 15 minutes before departure. Most operators begin boarding 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time and won't hold the coach for late passengers. Check the operator's luggage policy before you travel. Most include one checked bag (40 kg) and one carry-on, but allowances vary by carrier and additional bags usually attract a fee.
Route FAQs
Rockhampton to Rainbow Beach, answered.
- Around 8 hours for a typical scheduled service. Travel time can vary by 30 minutes or more depending on the operator, the number of intermediate stops, and traffic on the day.
- The coach route is about 476 kilometres. The coach covers it in around 8 hours, allowing for stops.
- Fares start from around $81 one-way. Booking three to four days ahead usually gets you the lowest fare. Same-day bookings on long-haul corridors can run double the advance-purchase price during school holidays.
- Premier Motor Service, Greyhound Australia and FlixBus Australia operate services on this route. Use the operator comparison above to see which suits your travel date, budget and preferences for amenities like Wi-Fi, USB charging and onboard toilets.
- Yes. Premier Motor Service, Greyhound Australia and FlixBus Australia run direct services on this corridor, so you can travel Rockhampton to Rainbow Beach without changing coaches. Check the timetable above for current departure times.
- Services on this route offer Wi-Fi, an onboard toilet, USB charging and wheelchair access. Amenities vary by operator and vehicle, so check the specific service when you book.
- Last-minute seats are sometimes available, but never guaranteed, particularly on Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and during school holidays. Booking online a few days ahead is strongly recommended and almost always cheaper.
- Most operators include one checked bag (up to 40 kg) and one carry-on bag in the ticket price. Additional bags usually attract a fee. Check the specific operator's luggage policy at the time of booking.
Keep going
Onward from Rainbow Beach.
Continuing past Rainbow Beach? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
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