The distance between Ballina and Caloundra is around 279km (174 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 3hrs.
We've found 2 different ways to get from Ballina to Caloundra by bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Caloundra → Ballina if you're planning a return trip.
Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Mooloolaba.
Premier Motor Service
There are several options for getting from Ballina to Caloundra by bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$49 ($33) and will take around 4h 60m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 3hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$54 ($36).
The distance between Ballina and Caloundra is around 279km (174 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 234km (145 miles)
It takes around 4h 60m to get from Ballina and Caloundra by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3hrs to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Ballina to Caloundra is to drive which takes around 3hrs and will set you back approx A$54 ($36).
The cheapest way to travel between Ballina and Caloundra, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$49 ($33) for a standard one-way ticket.
There is no train service that runs between Ballina and Caloundra. We recommend that you drive to Caloundra. instead which will take 3hrs.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Ballina and Caloundra. It typically takes around 4h 60m and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Ballina to Caloundra. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Byron Bay Interchange Stand B, Brisbane and Mooloolaba. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 4h 60m.
NSW TrainLink, Brisbane 2 Byron Express Bus, Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Ballina and Caloundra. Buses run once daily and take around 4h 60m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Ballina to Caloundra. We recommend that you take the bus to Brisbane and then to Mooloolaba. instead which will take 4h 60m.
The closest major airport to Caloundra is Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) (MCY) which is approximately 22km (14 miles) from Caloundra. Brisbane Airport (BNE) (BNE) and Gold Coast Airport (OOL) (OOL) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Ballina and Caloundra. The distance is around 279km (174 miles) by road and it will take around 3hrs in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ballina to Caloundra is to take the bus which takes, on average, 4h 60m and will usually cost around A$49 ($33).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bus | 4h 60m | A$49($33) | once daily | 333km (207 miles) |
Drive | 3hrs | A$54($36) | on demand | 279km (174 miles) |
NSW TrainLink
Brisbane 2 Byron Express Bus
Premier Motor Service
Qantas
The following major airports near Caloundra offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.