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How to get fromCairns to Whitsundayby bus, ferry, train, car, or plane

Find Transport to Whitsunday

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There are 7 ways to get from Cairns to Whitsunday by bus, ferry, train, car, or plane

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, ferry

    best
    1. Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Airlie Beachbus bus Pm19
    2. Take the ferry from Port of Airlie to Daydream Islandferry ferry
    11h 25m
    $111–162

  2. Train, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Proserpinetrain train Spirit of Queensland
    2. Take the ferry from Port of Airlie to Daydream Islandferry ferry
    12h 33m
    $98–2,245

  3. Drive 667.8 km

    1. Drive from Cairns to Whitsundaycar car 667.8 km
    8h 39m
    $120–174

  4. Fly to Whitsunday Coast Airport, ferry

    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP)plane plane CNS - PPP
    2. Take the ferry from Palm Bay to Shute Harbourferry ferry
    3. Take the ferry from Shute Harbour to Daydream Islandferry ferry
    7h 20m
    $392–1,156

  5. Bus, ferry via Cairns

    1. Take the bus from Cairns to Airlie Beachbus bus Brisbane
    2. Take the ferry from Port of Airlie to Daydream Islandferry ferry
    11h 45m
    $132–266

  6. Fly to Mackay, bus, ferry

    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Mackay (MKY)plane plane CNS - MKY
    2. Take the bus from Mackay to Airlie Beachbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Port of Airlie to Daydream Islandferry ferry
    9h 53m
    $319–653

  7. Fly to Moranbah Airport, drive

    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Moranbah Airport (MOV)plane plane CNS - MOV
    2. Drive from Moranbah Airport (MOV) to Whitsundaycar car
    6h 57m
    $329–2,719

Cairns to Whitsunday by bus and ferry

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration11h 25mAverage Duration
Ticket$111Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cairns to Whitsunday.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 673.4 km
  • Duration: 11h 25m

What companies run services between Cairns, QLD, Australia and Whitsunday, QLD, Australia?

There is no direct connection from Cairns to Whitsunday. However, you can take the bus to Airlie Beach, walk to Port of Airlie, then take the ferry to Daydream Island. Alternatively, you can take a train from Cairns Central Station to Daydream Island via Proserpine, Proserpine, Mill Street, Coconut Grove at Airlie Esplanade, and Port of Airlie in around 12h 33m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

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