How to travel from Ballarat to Townsville, Australia

The distance between Ballarat and Townsville is around 2,484km (1,544 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1 day 5h.

4 routes found

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

💰 Cheapest
1
4 x train
+

Train

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

  • Duration1 day 20h
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$420($285)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

2
4 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Southern Cross Coach Terminal, Sydney then Brisbane and then to Townsville.

  • Duration2 days 6h
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$570($380)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Townsville.

  • Duration1 day 5h
  • Distance2,484km (1,544 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ballarat and Townsville

There are several options for getting from Ballarat to Townsville by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around A$420 ($285) and will take around 1 day 20h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1 day 5h, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$330 ($220).

The distance between Ballarat and Townsville is around 2,484km (1,544 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 2,056km (1,277 miles)

It takes around 1 day 20h to get from Ballarat and Townsville by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 5h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Ballarat to Townsville is to drive which takes around 1 day 5h and will set you back approx A$330 ($220).

The cheapest way to travel between Ballarat and Townsville, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around A$420 ($285) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Ballarat and Townsville. It typically takes around 1 day 20h and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Ballarat to Townsville. 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 1 day 20h.

V-Line, XPT, NSW TrainLink and Queensland Rail Travel run train services between Ballarat and Townsville. Trains depart 5 times a week and will take around 1 day 20h, 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 Townsville. It typically takes around 2 days 6h and departs 6 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Ballarat to Townsville. 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 6h.

V-Line, Firefly Express, Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Ballarat and Townsville. Buses run 6 times a week and take around 2 days 6h 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 Townsville. We recommend that you take the train to Southern Cross, Central Station then Brisbane and then to Townsville. instead which will take 1 day 20h.

The closest major airport to Townsville is Townsville Airport (TSV) (TSV) which is approximately 6km (3 miles) from Townsville. Palm Island Airport (PMK) (PMK) and Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) 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 Townsville. The distance is around 2,484km (1,544 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 5h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ballarat to Townsville is to take the train which takes, on average, 1 day 20h and will usually cost around A$420 ($285).

How do I get from Ballarat to Townsville

Compare travel optionsbetween Ballarat and Townsville

Transport options from Ballarat to Townsville
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train + 1 similar
1 day 20h
A$420($285)
5 times a week3,353km (2,083 miles)
Train via Southern Cross1 day 20h
A$420($285)
5 times a week3,353km (2,083 miles)
Bus
2 days 6h
A$570($380)
6 times a week3,719km (2,311 miles)
Drive
1 day 5h
A$330($220)
on demand2,484km (1,544 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Ballarat and Townsville

Train operators

Airlines

Bus companies

Airports near Townsville

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

TSV
Townsville Airport (TSV)
Domestic Airport
Distance
6km (3 miles) from Townsville
PMK
Palm Island Airport (PMK)
Domestic Airport
Distance
61km (38 miles) from Townsville
CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
288km (179 miles) from Townsville