How to travel from Nambucca Heads to Cairns, Australia

The distance between Nambucca Heads and Cairns is around 1,777km (1,104 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 4h 50m.

6 routes found

We've found 6 different ways to get from Nambucca Heads to Cairns by 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 CairnsNambucca Heads if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Coffs Harbour (CFS) to Cairns (CNS).

  • Duration4h 50m
  • Flight time3h 20m
  • Typical cost
    A$965($650)
Operated by

Qantas

+ 1 others

2 similiar routes

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

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Cairns Central Station.

  • Duration1 day 15h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$270($180)
Operated by

Premier Motor Service

1 similiar route

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

3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Cairns.

  • Duration1 day 1h
  • Distance2,204km (1,370 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Nambucca Heads and Cairns

There are several options for getting from Nambucca Heads to Cairns by plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$270 ($180) and will take around 1 day 15h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 4h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$965 ($650).

The distance between Nambucca Heads and Cairns is around 1,777km (1,104 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,692km (1,052 miles)

It takes around 4h 50m to get from Nambucca Heads and Cairns by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 1h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Nambucca Heads to Cairns is to fly which takes around 4h 50m and will set you back approx A$965 ($650).

The cheapest way to travel between Nambucca Heads and Cairns, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$270 ($180) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Nambucca Heads and Cairns. We recommend that you fly from Coffs Harbour (CFS) to Cairns (CNS). instead which will take 4h 50m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Nambucca Heads and Cairns. It typically takes around 1 day 15h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Nambucca Heads to Cairns. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 15h.

Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Nambucca Heads and Cairns. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 15h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Nambucca Heads and Cairns. Flights depart from Coffs Harbour (CFS) and arrive at Cairns (CNS) - via Brisbane (BNE). The flight takes around 3h 20m.

There is no direct flight from Nambucca Heads to Cairns. There is however a flight that goes via Brisbane (BNE). This services will take at least 4h 50m (not including layover time).

The flight from Nambucca Heads to Cairns typically takes around 3h 20m. Flights depart from Coffs Harbour (CFS) and and arrive into Cairns (CNS).

The closest major airport to Cairns is Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) which is approximately 5km (3 miles) from Cairns. Cooktown Airport (CTN) (CTN) and Palm Island Airport (PMK) (PMK) 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 Nambucca Heads and Cairns. The distance is around 2,204km (1,370 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 1h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Nambucca Heads to Cairns is to fly which takes, on average, 4h 50m and will usually cost around A$965 ($650).

How do I get from Nambucca Heads to Cairns

Compare travel optionsbetween Nambucca Heads and Cairns

Transport options from Nambucca Heads to Cairns
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 2 similar
4h 50m
A$965($650)
4 times a week1,777km (1,104 miles)
Bus and Plane6h 35m
A$765($515)
once daily2,424km (1,506 miles)
Bus to Armidale Airport, Fly8h 25m
A$885($595)
twice a week2,563km (1,592 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
1 day 15h
A$270($180)
once daily2,498km (1,552 miles)
Bus via Brisbane1 day 15h
A$380($255)
once daily2,483km (1,543 miles)
Drive
1 day 1h
A$415($280)
on demand2,204km (1,370 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Nambucca Heads and Cairns

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Cairns

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

CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
5km (3 miles) from Cairns
CTN
Cooktown Airport (CTN)
Domestic Airport
Distance
176km (109 miles) from Cairns
PMK
Palm Island Airport (PMK)
Domestic Airport
Distance
221km (137 miles) from Cairns