The distance between Adelaide and Mackay is around 2,575km (1,600 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1 day 4h.
We've found 4 different ways to get from Adelaide to Mackay by bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Mackay → Adelaide if you're planning a return trip.
Take the bus to Broken Hill Town Coach Stop, Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1, Tamworth Station Coach Stop then Brisbane and then to Mackay.
Multiple bus operators
Take the train to Mount Victoria, Strathfield Station then Brisbane and then to Mackay.
Multiple train operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
There are several options for getting from Adelaide to Mackay by bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around A$130 ($87) and will take around 2 days 21h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1 day 4h, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$340 ($230).
The distance between Adelaide and Mackay is around 2,575km (1,600 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,849km (1,149 miles)
It takes around 1 day 22h to get from Adelaide and Mackay by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 4h to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Adelaide to Mackay is to drive which takes around 1 day 4h and will set you back approx A$340 ($230).
The cheapest way to travel between Adelaide and Mackay, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around A$130 ($87) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Adelaide and Mackay. It typically takes around 2 days 2h and departs once a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Adelaide to Mackay. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Mount Victoria, Strathfield Station and Brisbane. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 2h.
Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific, Transport NSW, NSW TrainLink, Queensland Rail Travel and Great Southern run train services between Adelaide and Mackay. Trains depart once a week and will take around 2 days 2h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Adelaide and Mackay. It typically takes around 1 day 22h and departs twice a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Adelaide to Mackay. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Broken Hill Town Coach Stop, Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1, Tamworth Station Coach Stop and Brisbane. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 22h.
NSW TrainLink, Crisps Coaches, Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Adelaide and Mackay. Buses run twice a week and take around 1 day 22h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Adelaide to Mackay. We recommend that you take the bus to Broken Hill Town Coach Stop, Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1, Tamworth Station Coach Stop then Brisbane and then to Mackay. instead which will take 1 day 22h.
The closest major airport to Mackay is Mackay Airport (MKY) (MKY) which is approximately 4km (2 miles) from Mackay. Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) (HTI) and Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Adelaide and Mackay. The distance is around 2,575km (1,600 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 4h in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Adelaide to Mackay is to take the bus which takes, on average, 1 day 22h and will usually cost around A$525 ($350).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bus | 1 day 22h | A$525($350) | twice a week | 3,350km (2,081 miles) |
Train + 1 similar | 2 days 2h | A$655($440) | once a week | 3,592km (2,232 miles) |
Train via Brisbane | 2 days 21h | A$130($87) | once a week | 3,560km (2,212 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 4h | A$340($230) | on demand | 2,575km (1,600 miles) |
NSW TrainLink
Crisps Coaches
Premier Motor Service
Qantas
Virgin Australia
Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific
Transport NSW
Queensland Rail Travel
Great Southern
The following major airports near Mackay offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.