How to travel from Mackay to Melbourne, Australia

The distance between Mackay and Melbourne is around 2,183km (1,356 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 6h 45m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Mackay to Melbourne 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 MelbourneMackay if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
bus
+
plane
+

Bus and Plane

Take the bus to Airlie Beach then fly from Hamilton Island (HTI) to Melbourne (MEL).

  • Duration6h 45m
  • Flight time2h 50m
  • Typical cost
    A$515($350)
Operated by

Multiple operators

💰 Cheapest
2
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Brisbane Roma Street then Central Station and then to Southern Cross.

  • Duration1 day 14h
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$350($235)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

3
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Brisbane then Sydney and then to Melbourne.

  • Duration1 day 22h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$460($310)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Melbourne.

  • Duration1 day 2h
  • Distance2,296km (1,427 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Mackay and Melbourne

There are several options for getting from Mackay to Melbourne by bus, plane, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around A$350 ($235) and will take around 1 day 14h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the bus and then fly and arrive in approximately 6h 45m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$515 ($350).

The distance between Mackay and Melbourne is around 2,183km (1,356 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,898km (1,179 miles)

It takes around 6h 45m to get from Mackay and Melbourne by bus and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 2h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Mackay to Melbourne is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 6h 45m and will set you back approx A$515 ($350).

The cheapest way to travel between Mackay and Melbourne, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around A$350 ($235) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Mackay and Melbourne. It typically takes around 1 day 14h and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Mackay to Melbourne. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Brisbane Roma Street and Central Station. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 14h.

Queensland Rail Travel, NSW TrainLink and XPT run train services between Mackay and Melbourne. Trains depart 5 times a week and will take around 1 day 14h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Mackay and Melbourne. It typically takes around 1 day 22h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Mackay to Melbourne. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane and Sydney. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 22h.

Premier Motor Service, Greyhound Australia and Firefly Express run regular bus services between Mackay and Melbourne. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 22h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Mackay to Melbourne. We recommend that you take the bus to Airlie Beach then fly from Hamilton Island (HTI) to Melbourne (MEL). instead which will take 6h 45m.

The closest major airport to Melbourne is Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) (MEL) which is approximately 19km (12 miles) from Melbourne. Avalon Airport (AVV) (AVV) and King Island Airport (KNS) (KNS) 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 Mackay and Melbourne. The distance is around 2,296km (1,427 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 2h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Mackay to Melbourne is to take the bus and then fly which takes, on average, 6h 45m and will usually cost around A$515 ($350).

How do I get from Mackay to Melbourne

Compare travel optionsbetween Mackay and Melbourne

Transport options from Mackay to Melbourne
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus and Plane
6h 45m
A$515($350)
once daily2,183km (1,356 miles)
Train + 1 similar
1 day 14h
A$350($235)
5 times a week2,869km (1,783 miles)
Train via Brisbane Roma Street1 day 14h
A$350($235)
5 times a week2,869km (1,783 miles)
Bus
1 day 22h
A$460($310)
once daily3,143km (1,953 miles)
Drive
1 day 2h
A$305($205)
on demand2,296km (1,427 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Mackay and Melbourne

Airlines

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Melbourne

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

MEL
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
International Airport
Distance
19km (12 miles) from Melbourne
AVV
Avalon Airport (AVV)
International Airport
Distance
49km (30 miles) from Melbourne
KNS
King Island Airport (KNS)
Domestic Airport
Distance
248km (154 miles) from Melbourne