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.
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 Melbourne → Mackay if you're planning a return trip.
Take the bus to Airlie Beach then fly from Hamilton Island (HTI) to Melbourne (MEL).
Multiple operators
Take the train to Brisbane Roma Street then Central Station and then to Southern Cross.
Multiple train operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Brisbane then Sydney and then to Melbourne.
Multiple bus operators
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bus and Plane | 6h 45m | A$515($350) | once daily | 2,183km (1,356 miles) |
Train + 1 similar | 1 day 14h | A$350($235) | 5 times a week | 2,869km (1,783 miles) |
Train via Brisbane Roma Street | 1 day 14h | A$350($235) | 5 times a week | 2,869km (1,783 miles) |
Bus | 1 day 22h | A$460($310) | once daily | 3,143km (1,953 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 2h | A$305($205) | on demand | 2,296km (1,427 miles) |
Virgin Australia
Qantas
Queensland Rail Travel
NSW TrainLink
XPT
Premier Motor Service
Firefly Express
The following major airports near Melbourne offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.