The distance between Mackay and Airlie Beach is around 155km (97 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus which takes around 2hrs.
We've found 2 different ways to get from Mackay to Airlie Beach by bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Airlie Beach → Mackay if you're planning a return trip.
Take the bus to Airlie Beach.
There are several options for getting from Mackay to Airlie Beach by bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$30 ($20) and will take around 2hrs.
The distance between Mackay and Airlie Beach is around 155km (97 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 108km (67 miles)
It takes around 2hrs to get from Mackay and Airlie Beach by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2h 10m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Mackay to Airlie Beach is to take the bus which takes around 2hrs and will set you back approx A$30 ($20).
The cheapest way to travel between Mackay and Airlie Beach, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$30 ($20) for a standard one-way ticket.
There is no train service that runs between Mackay and Airlie Beach. We recommend that you take the bus to Airlie Beach. instead which will take 2hrs.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Mackay and Airlie Beach. It typically takes around 2hrs and departs once daily.
Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Mackay and Airlie Beach with no changeovers required. The bus runs once daily and takes 2hrs.
Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Mackay and Airlie Beach. Buses run once daily and take around 2hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Mackay to Airlie Beach. We recommend that you take the bus to Airlie Beach. instead which will take 2hrs.
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.
Yes it is possible to drive from Mackay and Airlie Beach. The distance is around 155km (97 miles) by road and it will take around 2h 10m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Mackay to Airlie Beach is to take the bus which takes, on average, 2hrs and will usually cost around A$30 ($20).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bus | 2hrs | A$30($20) | once daily | 160km (99 miles) |
Drive | 2h 10m | A$30($20) | on demand | 155km (97 miles) |
Premier Motor Service
The following major airports near Airlie Beach offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.