The distance between Cairns and Ballarat is around 2,457km (1,527 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the train which takes around 5h 40m.
We've found 6 different ways to get from Cairns to Ballarat by plane, 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 Ballarat → Cairns if you're planning a return trip.
Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL) then take the train to Ballarat.
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the train to Brisbane Roma Street, Central Station then Southern Cross and then to Ballarat.
Multiple train operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Brisbane, Sydney then Melbourne and then to Ballarat.
Multiple bus operators
There are several options for getting from Cairns to Ballarat by plane, train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to fly and then take the train which costs around A$335 ($225) and will take around 5h 40m.
The distance between Cairns and Ballarat is around 2,457km (1,527 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 2,303km (1,431 miles)
It takes around 5h 40m to get from Cairns and Ballarat by plane and train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 9h to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Cairns to Ballarat is to fly and then take the train which takes around 5h 40m and will set you back approx A$335 ($225).
The cheapest way to travel between Cairns and Ballarat, if you exclude driving, is to fly and then take the train which will typically cost around A$335 ($225) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Cairns and Ballarat. It typically takes around 2 days 3h and departs 5 times a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Cairns to Ballarat. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Brisbane Roma Street, Central Station and Southern Cross. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 3h.
Queensland Rail Travel, NSW TrainLink, XPT and V-Line run train services between Cairns and Ballarat. Trains depart 5 times a week and will take around 2 days 3h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cairns and Ballarat. It typically takes around 2 days 12h and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Cairns to Ballarat. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 2 days 12h.
Premier Motor Service, Greyhound Australia, Firefly Express and V-Line run regular bus services between Cairns and Ballarat. Buses run once daily and take around 2 days 12h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cairns to Ballarat. We recommend that you fly from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL) then take the train to Ballarat. instead which will take 5h 40m.
The closest major airport to Ballarat is Avalon Airport (AVV) (AVV) which is approximately 75km (46 miles) from Ballarat. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) (MEL) and King Island Airport (KNS) (KNS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Cairns and Ballarat. The distance is around 2,831km (1,759 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 9h in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cairns to Ballarat is to fly and then take the train which takes, on average, 5h 40m and will usually cost around A$335 ($225).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Train + 1 similar | 5h 40m | A$335($225) | 5 times a day | 2,457km (1,527 miles) |
Fly to Avalon (AVV), Train | 7hrs | A$625($420) | twice daily | 2,892km (1,797 miles) |
Train + 1 similar | 2 days 3h | A$465($315) | 5 times a week | 3,692km (2,294 miles) |
Train via Brisbane Roma Street | 2 days 3h | A$465($315) | 5 times a week | 3,692km (2,294 miles) |
Bus | 2 days 12h | A$510($340) | once daily | 4,080km (2,535 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 9h | A$375($255) | on demand | 2,831km (1,759 miles) |
V-Line
Queensland Rail Travel
NSW TrainLink
XPT
Virgin Australia
Qantas
Premier Motor Service
Firefly Express
The following major airports near Ballarat offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.