How to travel from Gold Coast to Darwin, Australia

The distance between Gold Coast and Darwin is around 2,962km (1,840 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 6h 25m.

6 routes found

We've found 6 different ways to get from Gold Coast to Darwin by train, plane, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out DarwinGold Coast if you're planning a return trip.

1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Gold Coast (OOL) to Darwin (DRW).

  • Duration6h 40m
  • Flight time5h 50m
  • Typical cost
    A$445($300)
Operated byJetstar+ 2 others

1 similiar route

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

2
4 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Roma Street station platform 7, Central Station then Adelaide Parklands and then to Darwin.

  • Duration4 days 2h
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    A$1,595($1,075)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

3
bus
+
train
+
bus
+
bus
+

Bus and Train

Take the bus to Sydney then take the train to Adelaide Parklands then take the bus to Alice Springs and then to Darwin.

  • Duration3 days 12h
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    A$1,120($755)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Darwin.

  • Duration1 day 11h
  • Distance3,479km (2,162 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Gold Coast and Darwin

There are several options for getting from Gold Coast to Darwin by train, plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the train and then fly which costs around A$280 ($190) and will take around 6h 25m.

The distance between Gold Coast and Darwin is around 2,962km (1,840 miles).

It takes around 6h 25m to get from Gold Coast and Darwin by train and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 11h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Gold Coast to Darwin is to take the train and then fly which takes around 6h 25m and will set you back approx A$280 ($190).

The cheapest way to travel between Gold Coast and Darwin, if you exclude driving, is to take the train and then fly which will typically cost around A$280 ($190) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Gold Coast and Darwin. It typically takes around 4 days 2h and departs once a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Gold Coast to Darwin. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Helensvale station platform 4, Roma Street station platform 7, Central Station, Adelaide Parklands and Darwin. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 4 days 2h.

TRANSLink QLD, NSW TrainLink, Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific, Great Southern Rail - The Ghan and Great Southern run train services between Gold Coast and Darwin. Trains depart once a week and will take around 4 days 2h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Gold Coast and Darwin. We recommend that you take the train to International Airport station platform 2 then fly from Brisbane (BNE) to Darwin (DRW). instead which will take 6h 25m.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Gold Coast and Darwin. Flights depart from Gold Coast (OOL) and arrive at Darwin (DRW) - via Sydney (SYD). The flight takes around 5h 50m.

There is no direct flight from Gold Coast to Darwin. There is however a flight that goes via Sydney (SYD). This services will take at least 6h 40m (not including layover time).

The flight from Gold Coast to Darwin typically takes around 5h 50m. Flights depart from Gold Coast (OOL) and and arrive into Darwin (DRW).

The closest major airport to Darwin is Darwin International Airport (DRW) (DRW) which is approximately 7km (4 miles) from Darwin. Maningrida Airport (MNG) (MNG) and Kununurra Airport (KNX) (KNX) 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 Gold Coast and Darwin. The distance is around 3,479km (2,162 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 11h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Gold Coast to Darwin is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 6h 25m and will usually cost around A$280 ($190).

How do I get from Gold Coast to Darwin

Compare travel optionsbetween Gold Coast and Darwin

Transport options from Gold Coast to Darwin
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 1 similar
6h 40m
A$445($300)
hourly3,867km (2,403 miles)
Train and Plane6h 25m
A$280($190)
every 20 mins2,962km (1,840 miles)
Train + 1 similar
4 days 2h
A$1,595($1,075)
once a week5,751km (3,574 miles)
Train via Central station, platform 35 days 7h
A$1,050($705)
once a week5,701km (3,542 miles)
Bus and Train
3 days 12h
A$1,120($755)
once a week5,680km (3,530 miles)
Drive
1 day 11h
A$460($310)
on demand3,479km (2,162 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Gold Coast and Darwin

Train operators

Airlines

Bus companies

Airports near Darwin

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

DRW
Darwin International Airport (DRW)
International Airport
Distance
7km (4 miles) from Darwin
MNG
Maningrida Airport (MNG)
Domestic Airport
Distance
371km (231 miles) from Darwin
KNX
Kununurra Airport (KNX)
Domestic Airport
Distance
435km (270 miles) from Darwin