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How to get fromBallina to Cooktownby bus, plane, train, or car

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There are 11 ways to get from Ballina to Cooktown by bus, plane, train, or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Bus to Gold Coast Airport, fly to Cooktown Airport

    best
    1. Take the bus from Byron Bay to Gold Coast Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Gold Coast Airport (OOL) to Cooktown Airport (CTN)plane plane OOL - CTN
    11h 40m
    $249–716

  2. Bus to Gold Coast Airport, fly to Cairns, bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Byron Bay to Gold Coast Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Gold Coast Airport (OOL) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane OOL - CNS
    3. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus bus
    13h 27m
    $239–811

  3. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Ballina to Brisbanebus bus
    2. Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus bus
    36h 35m
    $277–6,661

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Ballina CBD Tamar St Bus Interchange to Brisbane Roma Streetbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairnsbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus bus
    39h 35m
    $406–645

  5. Drive 2,164.6 km

    1. Drive from Ballina to Cooktowncar car 2,164.6 km
    25h 24m
    $388–560

  6. Fly Ballina Byron Gateway Airport to Cooktown Airport

    1. Fly from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) to Cooktown Airport (CTN)plane plane BNK - CTN
    10h 48m
    $283–868

  7. Fly Ballina Byron Gateway Airport to Cairns, bus

    1. Fly from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane BNK - CNS
    2. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus bus
    13h 45m
    $293–863

  8. Bus to Brisbane Airport, fly to Cooktown Airport

    1. Take the bus from Byron Bay Bus Interchange Station to Brisbane Internationalbus bus
    2. Fly from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cooktown Airport (CTN)plane plane BNE - CTN
    9h 16m
    $259–701

  9. Bus to Brisbane Airport, fly to Cairns, bus

    1. Take the bus from Byron Bay Bus Interchange Station to Brisbane Internationalbus bus
    2. Fly from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane BNE - CNS
    3. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus bus
    14h 28m
    $259–846

  10. Bus via Byron Bay Bus Interchange Station

    1. Take the bus from Byron Bay Bus Interchange Station to Brisbane Roma Streetbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus bus
    39h 52m
    $354–506

  11. Bus, train via Palmer River

    1. Take the bus from Ballina Bus Interchange, Tamar St to Casino Station, Coach Baybus bus 164 / ...
    2. Take the train from Casino Station to Roma Street Stationtrain train 31
    3. Take the bus from Brisbane to Cairnsbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Cairns to Palmer Riverbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Palmer River to Cooktownbus bus
    42h 2m
    $389–938

Ballina to Cooktown by bus and train

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration36h 35mAverage Duration
Ticket$277Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Ballina to Cooktown.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,771.7 km
  • Duration: 11h 40m

What companies run services between Ballina, NSW, Australia and Cooktown, QLD, Australia?

You can take a bus from Ballina CBD Tamar St Bus Interchange to Cooktown via Brisbane Roma Street, Brisbane Coach Terminal, Cairns, and Cairns in around 39h 35m. Alternatively, Qantas, Hinterland Aviation, and Jetstar fly from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) to Cooktown Airport (CTN) twice daily.

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