How to travel from Perth to Mackay, Australia

The distance between Perth and Mackay is around 4,430km (2,753 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 7h 15m.

7 routes found

We've found 7 different ways to get from Perth to Mackay by plane, bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out MackayPerth if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Perth (PER) to Mackay (MKY).

  • Duration7h 15m
  • Flight time6h 15m
  • Typical cost
    A$970($655)
Operated by

Qantas

+ 2 others

1 similiar route

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

2
4 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Mount Victoria, Strathfield Station then Brisbane and then to Mackay.

  • Duration4 days 1h
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    A$1,265($850)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

3
train
+
bus
+
train
+

Train and Bus

Take the train to Central Station then take the bus to Brisbane then take the train to Mackay.

  • Duration4 days 7h
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    A$1,265($850)
Operated by

Multiple operators

1 similiar route

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

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Mackay.

  • Duration2 days 3h
  • Distance4,856km (3,017 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Perth and Mackay

There are several options for getting from Perth to Mackay by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around A$790 ($535) and will take around 4 days 17h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 7h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$970 ($655).

The distance between Perth and Mackay is around 4,430km (2,753 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 3,509km (2,180 miles)

It takes around 7h 15m to get from Perth and Mackay by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 2 days 3h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Perth to Mackay is to fly which takes around 7h 15m and will set you back approx A$970 ($655).

The cheapest way to travel between Perth and Mackay, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around A$790 ($535) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Perth and Mackay. It typically takes around 4 days 1h and departs twice a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Perth to Mackay. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Mount Victoria, Strathfield Station and Brisbane. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 4 days 1h.

Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific, Transport NSW, NSW TrainLink, Queensland Rail Travel and Great Southern run train services between Perth and Mackay. Trains depart twice a week and will take around 4 days 1h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Perth and Mackay. We recommend that you fly from Perth (PER) to Mackay (MKY). instead which will take 7h 15m.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Perth and Mackay. Flights depart from Perth (PER) and arrive at Mackay (MKY) - via Brisbane (BNE). The flight takes around 6h 15m.

There is no direct flight from Perth to Mackay. There is however a flight that goes via Brisbane (BNE). This services will take at least 7h 15m (not including layover time).

The flight from Perth to Mackay typically takes around 6h 15m. Flights depart from Perth (PER) and and arrive into Mackay (MKY).

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 Perth and Mackay. The distance is around 4,856km (3,017 miles) by road and it will take around 2 days 3h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Perth to Mackay is to fly which takes, on average, 7h 15m and will usually cost around A$970 ($655).

How do I get from Perth to Mackay

Compare travel optionsbetween Perth and Mackay

Transport options from Perth to Mackay
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 1 similar
7h 15m
A$970($655)
hourly4,430km (2,753 miles)
Plane and Bus9h 50m
A$855($575)
once daily4,852km (3,015 miles)
Train + 1 similar
4 days 1h
A$1,265($850)
twice a week6,247km (3,881 miles)
Train via Adelaide Parklands4 days 17h
A$790($535)
once a week6,220km (3,865 miles)
Train and Bus + 1 similar
4 days 7h
A$1,265($850)
twice a week6,330km (3,933 miles)
Train to Mount Victoria, bus4 days 9h
A$1,380($925)
twice a week6,507km (4,043 miles)
Drive
2 days 3h
A$645($435)
on demand4,856km (3,017 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Perth and Mackay

Train operators

Airlines

Bus companies

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