The distance between Ballarat and Cairns is around 2,830km (1,758 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 6h 55m.
We've found 5 different ways to get from Ballarat to Cairns by train, plane, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Cairns → Ballarat if you're planning a return trip.
Take the train to Footscray then fly from Avalon (AVV) to Cairns (CNS).
Multiple operators
Take the train to Southern Cross, Central Station then Brisbane and then to Cairns Central Station.
Multiple train operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Southern Cross Coach Terminal, Sydney then Brisbane and then to Cairns Central Station.
Multiple bus operators
There are several options for getting from Ballarat to Cairns by train, plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the train and then fly which costs around A$295 ($200) and will take around 6h 55m.
The distance between Ballarat and Cairns is around 2,830km (1,758 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 2,303km (1,431 miles)
It takes around 6h 55m to get from Ballarat and Cairns by train and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 9h to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Ballarat to Cairns is to take the train and then fly which takes around 6h 55m and will set you back approx A$295 ($200).
The cheapest way to travel between Ballarat and Cairns, if you exclude driving, is to take the train and then fly which will typically cost around A$295 ($200) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Ballarat and Cairns. It typically takes around 2 days 3h and departs 5 times a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Ballarat to Cairns. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Southern Cross, Central Station and Brisbane. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 3h.
V-Line, XPT, NSW TrainLink and Queensland Rail Travel run train services between Ballarat and Cairns. Trains depart 5 times a week and will take around 2 days 3h, 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 Ballarat and Cairns. It typically takes around 2 days 12h and departs 6 times a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Ballarat to Cairns. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Southern Cross Coach Terminal, Sydney and Brisbane. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 12h.
V-Line, Firefly Express, Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Ballarat and Cairns. Buses run 6 times a week and take around 2 days 12h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Ballarat to Cairns. We recommend that you take the train to Footscray then fly from Avalon (AVV) to Cairns (CNS). instead which will take 6h 55m.
The closest major airport to Cairns is Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) which is approximately 5km (3 miles) from Cairns. Cooktown Airport (CTN) (CTN) and Palm Island Airport (PMK) (PMK) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Ballarat and Cairns. The distance is around 2,830km (1,758 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 9h in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ballarat to Cairns is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 6h 55m and will usually cost around A$295 ($200).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Train and Plane | 6h 55m | A$295($200) | twice daily | 2,931km (1,822 miles) |
Train + 1 similar | 2 days 3h | A$465($315) | 5 times a week | 3,692km (2,294 miles) |
Train via Southern Cross | 2 days 3h | A$465($315) | 5 times a week | 3,692km (2,294 miles) |
Bus | 2 days 12h | A$510($340) | 6 times a week | 4,088km (2,540 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 9h | A$375($255) | on demand | 2,830km (1,758 miles) |
V-Line
XPT
NSW TrainLink
Queensland Rail Travel
Virgin Australia
Qantas
Firefly Express
Premier Motor Service
The following major airports near Cairns offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.