How to travel from Ballarat to Gold Coast, Australia

The distance between Ballarat and Gold Coast is around 1,562km (970 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4h 55m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Ballarat to Gold Coast 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 Gold CoastBallarat 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 Gold Coast (OOL).

  • Duration4h 55m
  • Flight time2hrs
  • Typical cost
    A$170($115)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2
4 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Southern Cross, Central Station then Brisbane and then to Helensvale station platform 1.

  • Duration1 day 4h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$255($170)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

3
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Southern Cross Coach Terminal then Sydney and then to Surfers Paradise.

  • Duration1 day 4h
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$345($230)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Gold Coast.

  • Duration18h 50m
  • Distance1,770km (1,100 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ballarat and Gold Coast

There are several options for getting from Ballarat to Gold Coast by train, plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the train and then fly which costs around A$170 ($115) and will take around 4h 55m.

The distance between Ballarat and Gold Coast is around 1,562km (970 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,387km (862 miles)

It takes around 4h 55m to get from Ballarat and Gold Coast by train and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 18h 50m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Ballarat to Gold Coast is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4h 55m and will set you back approx A$170 ($115).

The cheapest way to travel between Ballarat and Gold Coast, if you exclude driving, is to take the train and then fly which will typically cost around A$170 ($115) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Ballarat and Gold Coast. It typically takes around 1 day 4h and departs once daily.

There are no direct train services that runs from Ballarat to Gold Coast. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Southern Cross, Central Station, Brisbane and Helensvale station platform 1. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 4h.

V-Line, XPT, NSW TrainLink and TRANSLink QLD run train services between Ballarat and Gold Coast. Trains depart once daily and will take around 1 day 4h, 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 Gold Coast. It typically takes around 1 day 4h and departs 6 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Ballarat to Gold Coast. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Southern Cross Coach Terminal and Sydney. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 4h.

V-Line, Firefly Express and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Ballarat and Gold Coast. Buses run 6 times a week and take around 1 day 4h 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 Gold Coast. We recommend that you take the train to Footscray then fly from Avalon (AVV) to Gold Coast (OOL). instead which will take 4h 55m.

The closest major airport to Gold Coast is Gold Coast Airport (OOL) (OOL) which is approximately 21km (13 miles) from Gold Coast. Brisbane Airport (BNE) (BNE) and Ballina Byron Airport (BNK) (BNK) 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 Gold Coast. The distance is around 1,770km (1,100 miles) by road and it will take around 18h 50m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ballarat to Gold Coast is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 4h 55m and will usually cost around A$170 ($115).

How do I get from Ballarat to Gold Coast

Compare travel optionsbetween Ballarat and Gold Coast

Transport options from Ballarat to Gold Coast
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane
4h 55m
A$170($115)
twice daily1,562km (970 miles)
Train + 1 similar
1 day 4h
A$255($170)
once daily2,123km (1,319 miles)
Train via Southern Cross1 day 4h
A$255($170)
once daily2,123km (1,319 miles)
Bus
1 day 4h
A$345($230)
6 times a week2,002km (1,244 miles)
Drive
18h 50m
A$235($160)
on demand1,770km (1,100 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Ballarat and Gold Coast

Airlines

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Gold Coast

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

OOL
Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
International Airport
Distance
21km (13 miles) from Gold Coast
BNE
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
International Airport
Distance
73km (45 miles) from Gold Coast
BNK
Ballina Byron Airport (BNK)
Domestic Airport
Distance
94km (58 miles) from Gold Coast