There are 7 ways to get from Cairns to Gunnedah by plane, bus, 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.
Fly to Tamworth, bus
best- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Tamworth (TMW)plane CNS - TMW
- Take the bus from Tamworth Station, Coach Stop to Gunnedah Station, Coach Stopbus
8h 35m$313–1,116Train
cheapest- Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Streettrain
- Take the train from Roma Street Station to Maitland Stationtrain 32
- Take the train from Maitland Station to Werris Creek Stationtrain 223
- Take the train from Werris Creek Station to Gunnedah Stationtrain 243
43h 28m$273–6,446Train, bus
- Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Streettrain
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Moreebus
- Take the train from Moree Station to Gunnedah Stationtrain 244
36h 23m$322–6,597Bus, train
- Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Brisbane Roma Streetbus
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Moreebus
- Take the train from Moree Station to Gunnedah Stationtrain 244
40h 8m$397–770Drive 1,978.8 km
- Drive from Cairns to Gunnedahcar 1,978.8 km
22h 37m$361–521Fly to Armidale, bus
- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Armidale (ARM)plane CNS - ARM
- Take the bus from Armidale Airport to Tamworth Stationbus
- Take the bus from Tamworth Station, Coach Stop to Gunnedah Station, Coach Stopbus
10h 54m$323–1,111Bus
- Take the bus from Cairns to Brisbane Coach Terminalbus
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Moreebus
- Take the bus from Moree Station, Coach Stop to Gunnedah Station, Coach Stopbus
40h 13m$403–806
Cairns to Gunnedah by train, bus, and foot
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Cairns to Gunnedah is to drive which costs $360 - $550 and takes 22h 37m.
The fastest way to get from Cairns to Gunnedah is to fly and bus which takes 8h 35m and costs $310 - $1,200.
No, there is no direct bus from Cairns to Gunnedah station. However, there are services departing from Cairns and arriving at Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop via Brisbane Roma Street and Moree Station, Coach Stop. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 40h 13m.
No, there is no direct train from Cairns station to Gunnedah station. However, there are services departing from Cairns Central Station and arriving at Gunnedah Station via Roma Street Station, Maitland Station and Werris Creek Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 43h 28m.
The distance between Cairns and Gunnedah is 1755 km. The road distance is 1978.8 km.
The best way to get from Cairns to Gunnedah without a car is to train and bus which takes 36h 23m and costs $320 - $7,000.
It takes approximately 8h 35m to get from Cairns to Gunnedah, including transfers.
Cairns to Gunnedah bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, depart from Cairns station.
Cairns to Gunnedah train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, depart from Cairns Central Station.
The best way to get from Cairns to Gunnedah is to bus which takes 40h 13m and costs $400 - $850. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $270 - $6,500 and takes 43h 28m.
What companies run services between Cairns, QLD, Australia and Gunnedah, NSW, Australia?
You can take a bus from Cairns to Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop via Brisbane, Brisbane Roma Street, Moree, and Moree Station, Coach Stop in around 40h 13m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Cairns Central Station to Gunnedah Station via Roma Street, Roma Street Station, Maitland Station, and Werris Creek Station in around 43h 28m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Cairns to Tamworth via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $270–1,900
Flights from Cairns to Tamworth via Maroochydore, Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $290–1,100
Flights from Cairns to Armidale via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 23m
- When
- Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday
- Estimated price
- $260–1,900
Flights from Cairns to Armidale via Maroochydore, Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $280–1,100
Flights from Cairns to Armidale via Gold Coast, Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $280–1,100
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
Train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Street
- Ave. Duration
- 25h 20m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $170–6,171
- Book at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Schedules at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- BQuick
- $170–230
- AChoice
- $310–390
- Gold Class
- $4,927
- Heritage Class
- $6,171
Train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Street
- Ave. Duration
- 25h 20m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $170–6,171
- Book at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Schedules at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- BQuick
- $170–230
- AChoice
- $310–390
- Gold Class
- $4,927
- Heritage Class
- $6,171
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
Bus from Tamworth Station, Coach Stop to Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $9–14
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
Bus from Tamworth Station, Coach Stop to Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $9–14
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
Bus from Moree Station, Coach Stop to Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $17–25
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
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Booking & Getting There
Cairns to Gunnedah bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, arrive at Brisbane Coach Terminal station.
Gunnedah is 1h ahead of Cairns. It is currently 9:23 AM in Cairns and 10:23 AM in Gunnedah.
Cairns to Gunnedah train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Roma Street station.
Yes, the driving distance between Cairns to Gunnedah is 1979 km. It takes approximately 22h 37m to drive from Cairns to Gunnedah.
There are 14+ hotels available in Gunnedah.




