How to travel from Forster to Airlie Beach, Australia

The distance between Forster and Airlie Beach is around 1,555km (966 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 6h 40m.

7 routes found

We've found 7 different ways to get from Forster to Airlie Beach by bus, plane, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out Airlie BeachForster if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
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Bus to Bulahdelah Coach Stop, Booloombayt St, plane

Take the bus to Bulahdelah Coach Stop Booloombayt St and then to Heatherbrae then fly from Newcastle (NTL) to Proserpine (PPP).

  • Duration6h 40m
  • Flight time3h 10m
  • Typical cost
    A$475($320)
Operated by

Multiple operators

3 similiar routes

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

💰 Cheapest
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Bus

Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Airlie Beach.

  • Duration1 day 5h
  • 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.

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Drive

Drive to Airlie Beach.

  • Duration21h 45m
  • Distance1,735km (1,078 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Forster and Airlie Beach

There are several options for getting from Forster to Airlie Beach by bus, plane, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$285 ($190) and will take around 1 day 5h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the bus and then fly and arrive in approximately 6h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$475 ($320).

The distance between Forster and Airlie Beach is around 1,555km (966 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,377km (856 miles)

It takes around 7h 15m to get from Forster and Airlie Beach by bus and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 21h 45m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Forster to Airlie Beach is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 6h 40m and will set you back approx A$475 ($320).

The cheapest way to travel between Forster and Airlie Beach, 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 Forster and Airlie Beach. We recommend that you take the bus to Bulahdelah Coach Stop Booloombayt St and then to Heatherbrae then fly from Newcastle (NTL) to Proserpine (PPP). instead which will take 6h 40m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Forster and Airlie Beach. It typically takes around 1 day 5h and departs twice a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Forster to Airlie Beach. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Taree Station Coach Stop and Brisbane. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 5h.

NSW TrainLink, Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Forster and Airlie Beach. Buses run twice a week and take around 1 day 5h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Forster to Airlie Beach. We recommend that you take the bus to Port Macquarie Coach Stop Gordon St then fly from Port Macquarie (PQQ) to Proserpine (PPP). instead which will take 7h 15m.

The closest major airport to Airlie Beach is Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) (HTI) which is approximately 26km (16 miles) from Airlie Beach. 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

Yes it is possible to drive from Forster and Airlie Beach. The distance is around 1,735km (1,078 miles) by road and it will take around 21h 45m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Forster to Airlie Beach is to take the bus and then fly which takes, on average, 7h 15m and will usually cost around A$580 ($390).

How do I get from Forster to Airlie Beach

Compare travel optionsbetween Forster and Airlie Beach

Transport options from Forster to Airlie Beach
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus to Bulahdelah Coach Stop, Booloombayt St, plane + 3 similar
6h 40m
A$475($320)
once daily1,715km (1,066 miles)
Bus and Plane7h 15m
A$580($390)
twice a week2,014km (1,252 miles)
Bus to Port Macquarie Coach Stop, Gordon St, plane8h 25m
A$595($400)
twice a week1,555km (966 miles)
Bus, Train and Plane9h 25m
A$610($410)
5 times a day1,916km (1,190 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
1 day 5h
A$285($190)
twice a week1,981km (1,231 miles)
Bus via Brisbane1 day 9h
A$285($190)
once daily2,066km (1,284 miles)
Drive
21h 45m
A$330($220)
on demand1,735km (1,078 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Forster and Airlie Beach

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Airlie Beach

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

HTI
Hamilton Island Airport (HTI)
Domestic Airport
Distance
26km (16 miles) from Airlie Beach
PPP
Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP)
Domestic Airport
Distance
30km (18 miles) from Airlie Beach
CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
490km (305 miles) from Airlie Beach