How to travel from Port Macquarie to Cairns, Australia

The distance between Port Macquarie and Cairns is around 1,860km (1,156 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 4h 20m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Port Macquarie 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 CairnsPort Macquarie if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Port Macquarie (PQQ) to Cairns (CNS).

  • Duration4h 20m
  • Flight time3h 30m
  • Typical cost
    A$445($300)
Operated by

Qantas

+ 1 others

1 similiar route

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

2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Cairns.

  • Duration1 day 15h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$455($305)

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 3h
  • Distance2,311km (1,436 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Port Macquarie and Cairns

There are several options for getting from Port Macquarie to Cairns by plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$310 ($210) and will take around 1 day 16h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 4h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$445 ($300).

The distance between Port Macquarie and Cairns is around 1,860km (1,156 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,767km (1,098 miles)

It takes around 4h 20m to get from Port Macquarie and Cairns by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 3h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Port Macquarie to Cairns is to fly which takes around 4h 20m and will set you back approx A$445 ($300).

The cheapest way to travel between Port Macquarie and Cairns, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$310 ($210) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Port Macquarie and Cairns. We recommend that you fly from Port Macquarie (PQQ) to Cairns (CNS). instead which will take 4h 20m.

Bus travel

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

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

Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Port Macquarie 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 Port Macquarie and Cairns. Flights depart from Port Macquarie (PQQ) and arrive at Cairns (CNS) - via Brisbane (BNE). The flight takes around 3h 30m.

There is no direct flight from Port Macquarie to Cairns. There is however a flight that goes via Brisbane (BNE). This services will take at least 4h 20m (not including layover time).

The flight from Port Macquarie to Cairns typically takes around 3h 30m. Flights depart from Port Macquarie (PQQ) 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 Port Macquarie and Cairns. The distance is around 2,311km (1,436 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 3h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Port Macquarie to Cairns is to fly which takes, on average, 4h 20m and will usually cost around A$445 ($300).

How do I get from Port Macquarie to Cairns

Compare travel optionsbetween Port Macquarie and Cairns

Transport options from Port Macquarie to Cairns
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 1 similar
4h 20m
A$445($300)
5 times a day1,860km (1,156 miles)
Bus and Plane5h 55m
A$425($285)
once daily1,890km (1,175 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
1 day 15h
A$455($305)
once daily2,598km (1,614 miles)
Bus via Brisbane1 day 16h
A$310($210)
once daily2,610km (1,622 miles)
Drive
1 day 3h
A$305($205)
on demand2,311km (1,436 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Port Macquarie 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