How to travel from Caloundra to Hamilton Island, Australia
The distance between Caloundra and Hamilton Island is around 991km (616 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 40m.
6 routes found
We've found 6 different ways to get from Caloundra to Hamilton Island by train, plane, ferry and bus. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Hamilton Island → Caloundra if you're planning a return trip.
Fly
Fly from Maroochydore (MCY) to Hamilton Island (HTI).
- Duration6h 50m
- Flight time5h 40m
- Typical costA$680($455)
Virgin Australia
+ 2 others2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus to Airlie Beach, Ferry
Take the bus to Airlie Beach then take a ferry to Hamilton Island Marina.
- Duration19h 35m
- Departsonce daily
- Typical costA$240($160)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Train and Ferry
Take the train to Proserpine then take a ferry to Hamilton Island Marina.
- Duration14h 50m
- Departs5 times a week
- Typical costA$270($180)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Caloundra and Hamilton Island
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Caloundra to Hamilton Island by train, plane, ferry and bus. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take a ferry which costs around A$240 ($160) and will take around 19h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 3h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$415 ($280).
The distance between Caloundra and Hamilton Island is around 991km (616 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 833km (518 miles)
It takes around 3h 40m to get from Caloundra and Hamilton Island by train and plane.
The quickest way to get from Caloundra to Hamilton Island is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 40m and will set you back approx A$415 ($280).
The cheapest way to travel between Caloundra and Hamilton Island is to take the bus and then take a ferry which will typically cost around A$240 ($160) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Caloundra and Hamilton Island. We recommend that you take the train to Eagle Junction station platform 3 then fly from Brisbane (BNE) to Hamilton Island (HTI). instead which will take 3h 40m.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Caloundra and Hamilton Island. We recommend that you take the train to Eagle Junction station platform 3 then fly from Brisbane (BNE) to Hamilton Island (HTI). instead which will take 3h 40m.
Flights and Airlines
Yes you can fly from Caloundra and Hamilton Island. Flights depart from Maroochydore (MCY) and arrive at Hamilton Island (HTI) - via Melbourne (MEL). The flight takes around 5h 40m.
There is no direct flight from Caloundra to Hamilton Island. There is however a flight that goes via Melbourne (MEL). This services will take at least 6h 50m (not including layover time).
The flight from Caloundra to Hamilton Island typically takes around 5h 40m. Flights depart from Maroochydore (MCY) and and arrive into Hamilton Island (HTI).
The closest major airport to Hamilton Island is Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) (HTI) which is approximately 1km (1 miles) from Hamilton Island. Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) (PPP) and Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Drive yourself
No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Caloundra to Hamilton Island. We recommend that you take the train to Eagle Junction station platform 3 then fly from Brisbane (BNE) to Hamilton Island (HTI). instead which will take 3h 40m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Caloundra to Hamilton Island is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 3h 40m and will usually cost around A$415 ($280).
Compare travel optionsbetween Caloundra and Hamilton Island
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 2 similar | 6h 50m | A$680($455) | hourly | 3,452km (2,145 miles) |
| Train and Plane | 3h 40m | A$415($280) | hourly | 991km (616 miles) |
| Train, Plane and Ferry | 5h 40m | A$370($250) | every 3 hours | 1,072km (666 miles) |
Bus to Airlie Beach, Ferry + 1 similar | 19h 35m | A$240($160) | once daily | 1,266km (787 miles) |
| Bus and Ferry | 19h 55m | A$255($170) | once daily | 1,277km (794 miles) |
Train and Ferry | 14h 50m | A$270($180) | 5 times a week | 1,049km (652 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Caloundra and Hamilton Island
Airlines
Virgin Australia
Qantas
Bus companies
Premier Motor Service
Train operators
Queensland Rail Travel
Airports near Hamilton Island
The following major airports near Hamilton Island offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.
Hamilton Island Airport (HTI)
- Distance
- 1km (1 miles) from Hamilton Island
Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP)
- Distance
- 45km (28 miles) from Hamilton Island
Cairns Airport (CNS)
- Distance
- 513km (319 miles) from Hamilton Island