Wanderlust World Wanderlust World You cannot drive directly from Melbourne, Victoria to Gladstone, Queensland. The Great Dividing Range creates a continuous mountain barrier along Australia's east coast with no road crossing between the two cities' latitudes.
| Mode | Route | Time | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly | MEL → GLT (direct, 2h 15m) | 2h 15m + airport | $150–400 |
| Drive (coastal) | Melbourne → Sydney (Princes Hwy) → Brisbane (Pacific Hwy) → Gladstone | 22–24 hr driving (1,700 km) | $300–500 fuel |
| Drive (inland) | Melbourne → Hume Hwy → Sydney → Newell Hwy → Brisbane → Gladstone | 20–22 hr (1,600 km) | $280–450 fuel |
| Train | Melbourne → Sydney (XPT) → Brisbane (XPT) → Gladstone (Tilt Train) | 30+ hr | $250–500 |
| Bus | Greyhound / Premier via coast | 28+ hr | $200–350 |