How to travel from Ballina to Mooloolaba, Australia

The distance between Ballina and Mooloolaba is around 287km (178 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 3h 5m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Ballina to Mooloolaba 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 MooloolabaBallina if you're planning a return trip.

💰 Cheapest
1
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Mooloolaba.

  • Duration4h 25m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$51($34)
Operated by

Premier Motor Service

1 similiar route

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

🚀 Fastest
2
car
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Drive

Drive to Mooloolaba.

  • Duration3h 5m
  • Distance287km (178 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ballina and Mooloolaba

There are several options for getting from Ballina to Mooloolaba by bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$51 ($34) and will take around 4h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 3h 5m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$55 ($37).

The distance between Ballina and Mooloolaba is around 287km (178 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 247km (153 miles)

It takes around 4h 25m to get from Ballina and Mooloolaba by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 5m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Ballina to Mooloolaba is to drive which takes around 3h 5m and will set you back approx A$55 ($37).

The cheapest way to travel between Ballina and Mooloolaba, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$51 ($34) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Ballina and Mooloolaba. We recommend that you drive to Mooloolaba. instead which will take 3h 5m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Ballina and Mooloolaba. It typically takes around 4h 25m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Ballina to Mooloolaba. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Byron Bay Interchange Stand B and Brisbane. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 4h 25m.

NSW TrainLink, Brisbane 2 Byron Express Bus, Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Ballina and Mooloolaba. Buses run once daily and take around 4h 25m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Ballina to Mooloolaba. We recommend that you take the bus to Brisbane and then to Mooloolaba. instead which will take 4h 25m.

The closest major airport to Mooloolaba is Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) (MCY) which is approximately 9km (6 miles) from Mooloolaba. Brisbane Airport (BNE) (BNE) and Hervey Bay Airport (HVB) (HVB) 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 Ballina and Mooloolaba. The distance is around 287km (178 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 5m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ballina to Mooloolaba is to take the bus which takes, on average, 4h 25m and will usually cost around A$51 ($34).

How do I get from Ballina to Mooloolaba

Compare travel optionsbetween Ballina and Mooloolaba

Transport options from Ballina to Mooloolaba
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus + 1 similar
4h 25m
A$51($34)
once daily316km (197 miles)
Bus via Brisbane7h 5m
A$68($46)
once daily327km (203 miles)
Drive
3h 5m
A$55($37)
on demand287km (178 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Ballina and Mooloolaba

Bus companies

Airlines

Train operators

Airports near Mooloolaba

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

MCY
Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY)
Domestic Airport
Distance
9km (6 miles) from Mooloolaba
BNE
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
International Airport
Distance
80km (50 miles) from Mooloolaba
HVB
Hervey Bay Airport (HVB)
Domestic Airport
Distance
154km (95 miles) from Mooloolaba