How to travel from Cairns to Forster, Australia

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.

7 routes found

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 ForsterCairns if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
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bus
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Plane and Bus

Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Port Macquarie (PQQ) then take the bus to Forster Coach Stop Little St.

  • Duration6hrs
  • Flight time3h 25m
  • Typical cost
    A$555($375)
Operated by

Multiple operators

3 similiar routes

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

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Taree Station Coach Stop.

  • Duration1 day 14h
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    A$285($190)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

1 similiar route

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

3
car
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Drive

Drive to Forster.

  • Duration1 day 3h
  • Distance2,308km (1,434 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cairns and Forster

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.

Train travel

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.

Bus travel

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.

Flights and Airlines

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.

Drive yourself

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).

How do I get from Cairns to Forster

Compare travel optionsbetween Cairns and Forster

Transport options from Cairns to Forster
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Plane and Bus + 3 similar
6hrs
A$555($375)
twice a week1,985km (1,233 miles)
Fly to Newcastle (NTL), Bus7h 40m
A$495($330)
every 20 mins2,226km (1,383 miles)
Fly to Coffs Harbour (CFS), Train8h 15m
A$450($305)
4 times a week2,687km (1,670 miles)
Plane and Train9h 25m
A$400($270)
every 20 mins2,402km (1,493 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
1 day 14h
A$285($190)
twice a week2,627km (1,633 miles)
Bus via Brisbane1 day 17h
A$425($285)
twice a week2,718km (1,689 miles)
Drive
1 day 3h
A$435($295)
on demand2,308km (1,434 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cairns and Forster

Airlines

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Forster

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

PQQ
Port Macquarie Airport (PQQ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
90km (56 miles) from Forster
NTL
Newcastle Airport (NTL)
Domestic Airport
Distance
94km (58 miles) from Forster
SYD
Sydney Airport (SYD)
International Airport
Distance
231km (144 miles) from Forster