How to travel from Port Douglas to Nelson Bay, Australia

The distance between Port Douglas and Nelson Bay is around 2,118km (1,316 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 6hrs.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Port Douglas to Nelson Bay by plane, train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out Nelson BayPort Douglas if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
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Fly

Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Newcastle (NTL).

  • Duration6hrs
  • Flight time3h 40m
  • Typical cost
    A$475($320)
Operated by

Virgin Australia

+ 2 others

1 similiar route

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

2
4 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Cairns, Brisbane then Broadmeadow Coach Stop Graham Rd and then to Donald St Before Stockton St.

  • Duration1 day 19h
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    A$340($230)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
+
train
+
train
+
bus
+

Bus and Train

Take the bus to Cairns then take the train to Brisbane Roma Street and then to Broadmeadow Station then take the bus to Donald St Before Stockton St.

  • Duration1 day 15h
  • Departs3 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$340($230)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Nelson Bay.

  • Duration1 day 4h
  • Distance2,394km (1,488 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Port Douglas and Nelson Bay

There are several options for getting from Port Douglas to Nelson Bay by plane, train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take the train which costs around A$340 ($230) and will take around 1 day 15h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 6hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$475 ($320).

The distance between Port Douglas and Nelson Bay is around 2,118km (1,316 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,926km (1,197 miles)

It takes around 6hrs to get from Port Douglas and Nelson Bay by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 4h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Port Douglas to Nelson Bay is to fly which takes around 6hrs and will set you back approx A$475 ($320).

The cheapest way to travel between Port Douglas and Nelson Bay, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then take the train which will typically cost around A$340 ($230) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Port Douglas and Nelson Bay. We recommend that you fly from Cairns (CNS) to Newcastle (NTL). instead which will take 6hrs.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Port Douglas and Nelson Bay. It typically takes around 1 day 19h and departs once a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Port Douglas to Nelson Bay. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Port Douglas, Cairns, Brisbane, Broadmeadow Coach Stop Graham Rd and Tudor St After Parry St. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 19h.

Trans North Bus & Coach, Premier Motor Service, NSW TrainLink and Port Stephens Coaches run regular bus services between Port Douglas and Nelson Bay. Buses run once a week and take around 1 day 19h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Port Douglas and Nelson Bay. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and arrive at Newcastle (NTL) - via Brisbane (BNE). The flight takes around 3h 40m.

There is no direct flight from Port Douglas to Nelson Bay. There is however a flight that goes via Brisbane (BNE). This services will take at least 6hrs (not including layover time).

The flight from Port Douglas to Nelson Bay typically takes around 3h 40m. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Newcastle (NTL).

The closest major airport to Nelson Bay is Newcastle Airport (NTL) (NTL) which is approximately 30km (19 miles) from Nelson Bay. Port Macquarie Airport (PQQ) (PQQ) and Sydney Airport (SYD) (SYD) 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 Port Douglas and Nelson Bay. The distance is around 2,394km (1,488 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 4h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Port Douglas to Nelson Bay is to fly which takes, on average, 6hrs and will usually cost around A$475 ($320).

How do I get from Port Douglas to Nelson Bay

Compare travel optionsbetween Port Douglas and Nelson Bay

Transport options from Port Douglas to Nelson Bay
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 1 similar
6hrs
A$475($320)
every 20 mins2,118km (1,316 miles)
Plane, Train and Bus8h 50m
A$365($245)
every 20 mins2,280km (1,417 miles)
Bus
1 day 19h
A$340($230)
once a week2,900km (1,802 miles)
Bus and Train
1 day 15h
A$340($230)
3 times a week2,617km (1,626 miles)
Drive
1 day 4h
A$450($305)
on demand2,394km (1,488 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Port Douglas and Nelson Bay

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Nelson Bay

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

NTL
Newcastle Airport (NTL)
Domestic Airport
Distance
30km (19 miles) from Nelson Bay
PQQ
Port Macquarie Airport (PQQ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
159km (99 miles) from Nelson Bay
SYD
Sydney Airport (SYD)
International Airport
Distance
162km (101 miles) from Nelson Bay