How to travel from Parkes to Ballina, Australia
The distance between Parkes and Ballina is around 738km (459 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 3h 25m.
8 routes found
We've found 8 different ways to get from Parkes to Ballina 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 Ballina → Parkes if you're planning a return trip.
Bus and Plane
Take the bus to Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1 then fly from Dubbo (DBO) to Ballina (BNK).
- Duration3h 25m
- Flight time1h 45m
- Typical costA$365($245)
Multiple operators
3 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus
Take the bus to Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1, Tamworth Station Coach Stop then Tenterfield and then to Lismore Transit Centre Molesworth St.
- Duration13h 15m
- Departstwice a week
- Typical costA$150($100)
Multiple bus operators
Train and Bus
Take the train to Central Station then take the bus to Ballina.
- Duration19h 20m
- Departstwice a week
- Typical costA$210($140)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Parkes and Ballina
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Parkes to Ballina by bus, plane, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$150 ($100) and will take around 13h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the bus and then fly and arrive in approximately 3h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$365 ($245).
The distance between Parkes and Ballina is around 738km (459 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 699km (435 miles)
It takes around 3h 25m to get from Parkes and Ballina by bus and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 10h 50m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Parkes to Ballina is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 3h 25m and will set you back approx A$365 ($245).
The cheapest way to travel between Parkes and Ballina, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$150 ($100) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Parkes and Ballina. We recommend that you take the bus to Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1 then fly from Dubbo (DBO) to Ballina (BNK). instead which will take 3h 25m.
Bus travel
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Parkes and Ballina. It typically takes around 13h 15m and departs twice a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Parkes to Ballina. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1, Tamworth Station Coach Stop, Tenterfield and Lismore Transit Centre Molesworth St. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 13h 15m.
NSW TrainLink, Crisps Coaches and Northern Rivers Buslines run regular bus services between Parkes and Ballina. Buses run twice a week and take around 13h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Parkes to Ballina. We recommend that you take the bus to Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1 then fly from Dubbo (DBO) to Ballina (BNK). instead which will take 3h 25m.
The closest major airport to Ballina is Ballina Byron Airport (BNK) (BNK) which is approximately 3km (2 miles) from Ballina. Gold Coast Airport (OOL) (OOL) and Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS) (CFS) 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 Parkes and Ballina. The distance is around 914km (568 miles) by road and it will take around 10h 50m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Parkes to Ballina is to take the bus and then fly which takes, on average, 3h 25m and will usually cost around A$365 ($245).
Compare travel optionsbetween Parkes and Ballina
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bus and Plane + 3 similar | 3h 25m | A$365($245) | 6 times a week | 738km (459 miles) |
| Train and Plane | 4h 55m | A$350($235) | twice a week | 947km (589 miles) |
| Train to Central Station, Fly | 8h 25m | A$215($145) | twice a week | 1,067km (663 miles) |
| Train, Plane and Bus | 6hrs | A$340($230) | twice a week | 1,114km (692 miles) |
Bus | 13h 15m | A$150($100) | twice a week | 959km (596 miles) |
Train and Bus + 1 similar | 19h 20m | A$210($140) | twice a week | 1,256km (781 miles) |
| Train to Strathfield Station, bus | 19h 20m | A$180($120) | twice a week | 1,291km (802 miles) |
Drive | 10h 50m | A$120($82) | on demand | 914km (568 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Parkes and Ballina
Bus companies
NSW TrainLink
Byron Bay Express
Crisps Coaches
Northern Rivers Buslines
Airlines
FlyPelican
Qantas
Regional Express
Virgin Australia
Airports near Ballina
The following major airports near Ballina offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.
Ballina Byron Airport (BNK)
- Distance
- 3km (2 miles) from Ballina
Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
- Distance
- 78km (48 miles) from Ballina
Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS)
- Distance
- 168km (104 miles) from Ballina