How to travel from Parkes to Mackay, Australia

The distance between Parkes and Mackay is around 1,594km (990 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 4h 55m.

7 routes found

We've found 7 different ways to get from Parkes to Mackay by train, 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 MackayParkes if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
bus
+
plane
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Bus and Plane

Take the bus to Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1 then fly from Dubbo (DBO) to Mackay (MKY).

  • Duration4h 55m
  • Flight time3h 15m
  • Typical cost
    A$605($410)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2 similiar routes

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

2
4 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1, Tamworth Station Coach Stop then Brisbane and then to Mackay.

  • Duration1 day 8h
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    A$390($260)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

1 similiar route

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

3
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Strathfield Station then Brisbane and then to Mackay.

  • Duration1 day 9h
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    A$320($215)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Mackay.

  • Duration19hrs
  • Distance1,594km (990 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Parkes and Mackay

There are several options for getting from Parkes to Mackay by train, plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the train and then fly which costs around A$250 ($170) and will take around 5h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the bus and then fly and arrive in approximately 4h 55m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$605 ($410).

The distance between Parkes and Mackay is around 1,594km (990 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,337km (831 miles)

It takes around 5h 30m to get from Parkes and Mackay by train and plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 19hrs to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Parkes to Mackay is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 4h 55m and will set you back approx A$605 ($410).

The cheapest way to travel between Parkes and Mackay, if you exclude driving, is to take the train and then fly which will typically cost around A$250 ($170) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Parkes and Mackay. It typically takes around 1 day 9h and departs twice a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Parkes to Mackay. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Strathfield Station and Brisbane. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 9h.

NSW TrainLink and Queensland Rail Travel run train services between Parkes and Mackay. Trains depart twice a week and will take around 1 day 9h, 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 Parkes and Mackay. It typically takes around 1 day 8h and departs twice a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Parkes to Mackay. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1, Tamworth Station Coach Stop and Brisbane. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 8h.

NSW TrainLink, Crisps Coaches, Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Parkes and Mackay. Buses run twice a week and take around 1 day 8h 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 Mackay. We recommend that you take the train to Orange Station then fly from Orange (OAG) to Mackay (MKY). instead which will take 5h 30m.

The closest major airport to Mackay is Mackay Airport (MKY) (MKY) which is approximately 4km (2 miles) from Mackay. Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) (HTI) and Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) 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 Mackay. The distance is around 1,594km (990 miles) by road and it will take around 19hrs in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Parkes to Mackay is to take the train and then fly which takes, on average, 5h 30m and will usually cost around A$250 ($170).

How do I get from Parkes to Mackay

Compare travel optionsbetween Parkes and Mackay

Transport options from Parkes to Mackay
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus and Plane + 2 similar
4h 55m
A$605($410)
6 times a week1,621km (1,007 miles)
Train and Plane5h 30m
A$250($170)
twice a week1,769km (1,099 miles)
Train, Plane and Bus8h 30m
A$295($200)
twice a week2,044km (1,270 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
1 day 8h
A$390($260)
twice a week2,199km (1,366 miles)
Bus via Dubbo Station, Coach Bay 11 day 8h
A$400($270)
twice a week2,206km (1,371 miles)
Train
1 day 9h
A$320($215)
twice a week2,352km (1,461 miles)
Drive
19hrs
A$210($140)
on demand1,594km (990 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Parkes and Mackay

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Mackay

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

MKY
Mackay Airport (MKY)
Domestic Airport
Distance
4km (2 miles) from Mackay
HTI
Hamilton Island Airport (HTI)
Domestic Airport
Distance
91km (57 miles) from Mackay
CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
596km (370 miles) from Mackay