How to travel from Ballarat to Cairns, Australia

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.

5 routes found

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 CairnsBallarat if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
💰 Cheapest
1
train
+
plane
+

Train and Plane

Take the train to Footscray then fly from Avalon (AVV) to Cairns (CNS).

  • Duration6h 55m
  • Flight time4h 20m
  • Typical cost
    A$295($200)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2
4 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Southern Cross, Central Station then Brisbane and then to Cairns Central Station.

  • Duration2 days 3h
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$465($315)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

3
4 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Southern Cross Coach Terminal, Sydney then Brisbane and then to Cairns Central Station.

  • Duration2 days 12h
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$510($340)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Cairns.

  • Duration1 day 9h
  • Distance2,830km (1,758 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ballarat and Cairns

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.

Train travel

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.

Bus travel

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.

Flights and Airlines

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.

Drive yourself

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).

How do I get from Ballarat to Cairns

Compare travel optionsbetween Ballarat and Cairns

Transport options from Ballarat to Cairns
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane
6h 55m
A$295($200)
twice daily2,931km (1,822 miles)
Train + 1 similar
2 days 3h
A$465($315)
5 times a week3,692km (2,294 miles)
Train via Southern Cross2 days 3h
A$465($315)
5 times a week3,692km (2,294 miles)
Bus
2 days 12h
A$510($340)
6 times a week4,088km (2,540 miles)
Drive
1 day 9h
A$375($255)
on demand2,830km (1,758 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Ballarat and Cairns

Train operators

Airlines

Bus companies

Airports near Cairns

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

CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
5km (3 miles) from Cairns
CTN
Cooktown Airport (CTN)
Domestic Airport
Distance
176km (109 miles) from Cairns
PMK
Palm Island Airport (PMK)
Domestic Airport
Distance
221km (137 miles) from Cairns