How to travel from Adelaide to Mackay, Australia

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.

4 routes found

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 MackayAdelaide if you're planning a return trip.

1
5 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Broken Hill Town Coach Stop, Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1, Tamworth Station Coach Stop then Brisbane and then to Mackay.

  • Duration1 day 22h
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    A$525($350)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

2
4 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Mount Victoria, Strathfield Station then Brisbane and then to Mackay.

  • Duration2 days 2h
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    A$655($440)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Mackay.

  • Duration1 day 4h
  • Distance2,575km (1,600 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Adelaide and Mackay

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.

Train travel

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.

Bus travel

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.

Flights and Airlines

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.

Drive yourself

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).

How do I get from Adelaide to Mackay

Compare travel optionsbetween Adelaide and Mackay

Transport options from Adelaide to Mackay
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus
1 day 22h
A$525($350)
twice a week3,350km (2,081 miles)
Train + 1 similar
2 days 2h
A$655($440)
once a week3,592km (2,232 miles)
Train via Brisbane2 days 21h
A$130($87)
once a week3,560km (2,212 miles)
Drive
1 day 4h
A$340($230)
on demand2,575km (1,600 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Adelaide and Mackay

Bus companies

Airlines

Train operators

Airports near Mackay

The following major airports near Mackay offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.

MKY
Mackay Airport (MKY)
Domestic Airport
Distance
4km (2 miles) from Mackay
HTI
Hamilton Island Airport (HTI)
Domestic Airport
Distance
91km (57 miles) from Mackay
CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
596km (370 miles) from Mackay