How to travel from Ballarat to Shoal Bay, Australia

The distance between Ballarat and Shoal Bay is around 1,146km (712 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 12h 10m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Ballarat to Shoal Bay by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out Shoal BayBallarat if you're planning a return trip.

💰 Cheapest
1
4 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Southern Cross Coach Terminal/Spencer St, Parramatta then Newcastle Interchange Stand C and then to Tomaree Rd Before Verona Rd.

  • Duration16h 55m
  • Departs4 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$100($66)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

2
3 x train
+
bus
+

Train to Southern Cross, bus

Take the train to Southern Cross then Central Station and then to Newcastle Interchange then take the bus to Tomaree Rd Before Verona Rd.

  • Duration16h 60m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$115($77)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2 similiar routes

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

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Shoal Bay.

  • Duration12h 10m
  • Distance1,146km (712 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ballarat and Shoal Bay

There are several options for getting from Ballarat to Shoal Bay by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$100 ($66) and will take around 16h 55m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 12h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$215 ($145).

The distance between Ballarat and Shoal Bay is around 1,146km (712 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 927km (576 miles)

It takes around 17hrs to get from Ballarat and Shoal Bay by train and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 12h 10m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Ballarat to Shoal Bay is to drive which takes around 12h 10m and will set you back approx A$215 ($145).

The cheapest way to travel between Ballarat and Shoal Bay, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$100 ($66) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Ballarat and Shoal Bay. We recommend that you drive to Shoal Bay. instead which will take 12h 10m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Ballarat and Shoal Bay. It typically takes around 16h 55m and departs 4 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Ballarat to Shoal Bay. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Southern Cross Coach Terminal/Spencer St, Parramatta, Hornsby Station Stand F and Newcastle Interchange Stand C. These services run 4 times a week and will take a minimum of 16h 55m.

V/Line, Firefly Express, Transport for NSW and Port Stephens Coaches run regular bus services between Ballarat and Shoal Bay. Buses run 4 times a week and take around 16h 55m 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 Shoal Bay. We recommend that you take the train to Southern Cross then Central Station and then to Hamilton Station then take the bus to Tomaree Rd Before Verona Rd. instead which will take 17hrs.

The closest major airport to Shoal Bay is Newcastle Airport (NTL) (NTL) which is approximately 33km (20 miles) from Shoal Bay. Port Macquarie Airport (PQQ) (PQQ) and Sydney Airport (SYD) (SYD) 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 Shoal Bay. The distance is around 1,146km (712 miles) by road and it will take around 12h 10m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ballarat to Shoal Bay is to take the train and then take the bus which takes, on average, 17hrs and will usually cost around A$115 ($77).

How do I get from Ballarat to Shoal Bay

Compare travel optionsbetween Ballarat and Shoal Bay

Transport options from Ballarat to Shoal Bay
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus
16h 55m
A$100($66)
4 times a week1,210km (752 miles)
Train to Southern Cross, bus + 2 similar
16h 60m
A$115($77)
once daily1,288km (800 miles)
Train and Bus17hrs
A$115($77)
once daily1,286km (799 miles)
Train to Southern Cross, bus17h 50m
A$180($120)
once daily1,284km (798 miles)
Drive
12h 10m
A$215($145)
on demand1,146km (712 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Ballarat and Shoal Bay

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Shoal Bay

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

NTL
Newcastle Airport (NTL)
Domestic Airport
Distance
33km (20 miles) from Shoal Bay
PQQ
Port Macquarie Airport (PQQ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
158km (98 miles) from Shoal Bay
SYD
Sydney Airport (SYD)
International Airport
Distance
163km (101 miles) from Shoal Bay