The distance between Cairns and Forster is around 1,985km (1,233 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 6hrs.
We've found 7 different ways to get from Cairns to Forster by plane, bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Forster → Cairns if you're planning a return trip.
Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Port Macquarie (PQQ) then take the bus to Forster Coach Stop Little St.
Multiple operators
3 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Taree Station Coach Stop.
Multiple bus operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
There are several options for getting from Cairns to Forster by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$285 ($190) and will take around 1 day 14h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 6hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$555 ($375).
The distance between Cairns and Forster is around 1,985km (1,233 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,828km (1,136 miles)
It takes around 6hrs to get from Cairns and Forster by plane and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 3h to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Cairns to Forster is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 6hrs and will set you back approx A$555 ($375).
The cheapest way to travel between Cairns and Forster, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$285 ($190) for a standard one-way ticket.
There is no train service that runs between Cairns and Forster. We recommend that you fly from Cairns (CNS) to Port Macquarie (PQQ) then take the bus to Forster Coach Stop Little St. instead which will take 6hrs.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cairns and Forster. It typically takes around 1 day 14h and departs twice a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Cairns to Forster. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane and Taree Station Coach Stop. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 14h.
Premier Motor Service, NSW TrainLink and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Cairns and Forster. Buses run twice a week and take around 1 day 14h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cairns to Forster. We recommend that you fly from Cairns (CNS) to Port Macquarie (PQQ) then take the bus to Forster Coach Stop Little St. instead which will take 6hrs.
The closest major airport to Forster is Port Macquarie Airport (PQQ) (PQQ) which is approximately 90km (56 miles) from Forster. Newcastle Airport (NTL) (NTL) and Sydney Airport (SYD) (SYD) 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 Forster. The distance is around 2,308km (1,434 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 3h in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cairns to Forster is to fly and then take the bus which takes, on average, 6hrs and will usually cost around A$555 ($375).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Bus + 3 similar | 6hrs | A$555($375) | twice a week | 1,985km (1,233 miles) |
Fly to Newcastle (NTL), Bus | 7h 40m | A$495($330) | every 20 mins | 2,226km (1,383 miles) |
Fly to Coffs Harbour (CFS), Train | 8h 15m | A$450($305) | 4 times a week | 2,687km (1,670 miles) |
Plane and Train | 9h 25m | A$400($270) | every 20 mins | 2,402km (1,493 miles) |
Bus + 1 similar | 1 day 14h | A$285($190) | twice a week | 2,627km (1,633 miles) |
Bus via Brisbane | 1 day 17h | A$425($285) | twice a week | 2,718km (1,689 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 3h | A$435($295) | on demand | 2,308km (1,434 miles) |
Qantas
Virgin Australia
Link Airways
Queensland Rail Travel
NSW TrainLink
Busways Great Lakes
Premier Motor Service
The following major airports near Forster offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.