How to travel from Ballarat to Darwin, Australia

The distance between Ballarat and Darwin is around 3,620km (2,249 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 8h 20m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Ballarat to Darwin 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 DarwinBallarat if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
+
plane
+

Train and Plane

Take the train to Footscray then fly from Avalon (AVV) to Darwin (DRW).

  • Duration8h 20m
  • Flight time5h 50m
  • Typical cost
    A$765($515)
Operated by

Multiple operators

💰 Cheapest
2
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Adelaide then Alice Springs and then to Darwin.

  • Duration2 days 3h
  • Departs4 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$600($405)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

3
bus
+
train
+

Bus and Train

Take the bus to Adelaide then take the train to Darwin.

  • Duration2 days 16h
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    A$1,100($740)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Darwin.

  • Duration1 day 11h
  • Distance3,642km (2,263 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ballarat and Darwin

There are several options for getting from Ballarat to Darwin by train, plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$600 ($405) and will take around 2 days 3h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 8h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$765 ($515).

The distance between Ballarat and Darwin is around 3,620km (2,249 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 3,076km (1,912 miles)

It takes around 8h 20m to get from Ballarat and Darwin by train and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 11h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Ballarat to Darwin is to take the train and then fly which takes around 8h 20m and will set you back approx A$765 ($515).

The cheapest way to travel between Ballarat and Darwin, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$600 ($405) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Ballarat and Darwin. We recommend that you take the train to Footscray then fly from Avalon (AVV) to Darwin (DRW). instead which will take 8h 20m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Ballarat and Darwin. It typically takes around 2 days 3h and departs 4 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Ballarat to Darwin. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Adelaide and Alice Springs. These services run 4 times a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 3h.

Firefly Express and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Ballarat and Darwin. Buses run 4 times a week and take around 2 days 3h 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 Darwin. We recommend that you take the train to Footscray then fly from Avalon (AVV) to Darwin (DRW). instead which will take 8h 20m.

The closest major airport to Darwin is Darwin International Airport (DRW) (DRW) which is approximately 7km (4 miles) from Darwin. Maningrida Airport (MNG) (MNG) and Kununurra Airport (KNX) (KNX) 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 Darwin. The distance is around 3,642km (2,263 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 11h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ballarat to Darwin is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 8h 20m and will usually cost around A$765 ($515).

How do I get from Ballarat to Darwin

Compare travel optionsbetween Ballarat and Darwin

Transport options from Ballarat to Darwin
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane
8h 20m
A$765($515)
twice daily4,079km (2,534 miles)
Bus
2 days 3h
A$600($405)
4 times a week3,673km (2,282 miles)
Bus and Train
2 days 16h
A$1,100($740)
twice a week3,620km (2,249 miles)
Drive
1 day 11h
A$485($325)
on demand3,642km (2,263 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Ballarat and Darwin

Airlines

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Darwin

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

DRW
Darwin International Airport (DRW)
International Airport
Distance
7km (4 miles) from Darwin
MNG
Maningrida Airport (MNG)
Domestic Airport
Distance
371km (231 miles) from Darwin
KNX
Kununurra Airport (KNX)
Domestic Airport
Distance
435km (270 miles) from Darwin