There are 10 ways to get from Gunnedah to Cairns by train, plane, bus, 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.
Train to Narrabri Airport, fly
best- Take the train from Gunnedah Station to Narrabri Stationtrain
- Fly from Narrabri Airport (NAA) to Cairns (CNS)plane NAA - CNS
9h 11m$237–751Train, train to Sydney International Airport, fly
cheapest- Take the train from Gunnedah Station to Werris Creek Stationtrain
- Take the train from Werris Creek Station to Central Stationtrain
- Fly from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)plane SYD - CNS
12h 45m$189–592Train, bus via Goondiwindi
- Take the train from Gunnedah Station to Moree Stationtrain 243
- Take the bus from Moree to Goondiwindibus
- Take the bus from Goondiwindi to Brisbane Citybus
- Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain
37h 57m$308–6,739Bus
- Take the bus from Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop to Moree Station, Coach Stopbus
- Take the bus from Moree to Goondiwindibus
- Take the bus from Goondiwindi to Brisbane Citybus
- Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairnsbus
41h 39m$368–615Drive 1,979 km
- Drive from Gunnedah to Cairnscar 1,979 km
22h 40m$348–503Bus, bus to Armidale, fly
- Take the bus from Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop to Tamworth Station, Coach Stopbus
- Take the bus from Tamworth Station to Armidale Airportbus
- Fly from Armidale (ARM) to Cairns (CNS)plane ARM - CNS
11h 13m$605–929Bus to Tamworth, fly
- Take the bus from Somerton Rest Area, Oxley Hwy to Peel High Schoolbus
- Fly from Tamworth (TMW) to Cairns (CNS)plane TMW - CNS
10h 21m$240–815Train, train to Newcastle Airport, fly
- Take the train from Gunnedah Station to Werris Creek Stationtrain
- Take the train from Werris Creek Station to Broadmeadow Stationtrain
- Fly from Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Cairns (CNS)plane NTL - CNS
12h 45m$250–668Train
- Take the train from Gunnedah Station to Werris Creek Stationtrain 244
- Take the train from Werris Creek Station to Maitland Stationtrain 224
- Take the train from Maitland Station to Roma Street Stationtrain 31
- Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain
43h 10m$255–6,784Train, bus
- Take the train from Gunnedah Station to Moree Stationtrain 243
- Take the bus from Moree to Toowoombabus
- Take the bus from Toowoomba to Brisbanebus
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationbus
43h 57m$394–784
Gunnedah to Cairns by train, foot, and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Gunnedah to Cairns is to train and fly which costs $180 - $600 and takes 12h 45m.
The fastest way to get from Gunnedah to Cairns is to train and fly which takes 9h 11m and costs $230 - $750.
No, there is no direct bus from Gunnedah station to Cairns. However, there are services departing from Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop and arriving at Cairns via Moree, Goondiwindi and Brisbane Coach Terminal. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 41h 39m.
No, there is no direct train from Gunnedah station to Cairns station. However, there are services departing from Gunnedah Station and arriving at Cairns Central Station via Werris Creek Station, Maitland Station and Roma Street. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 43h 10m.
The distance between Gunnedah and Cairns is 1658 km. The road distance is 1979 km.
The best way to get from Gunnedah to Cairns without a car is to train and bus via Goondiwindi which takes 37h 57m and costs $300 - $7,000.
It takes approximately 9h 11m to get from Gunnedah to Cairns, including transfers.
Gunnedah to Cairns bus services, operated by NSW TrainLink, depart from Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop.
Gunnedah to Cairns train services, operated by NSW TrainLink, depart from Gunnedah Station.
The best way to get from Gunnedah to Cairns is to bus which takes 41h 39m and costs $360 - $650. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $250 - $7,000 and takes 43h 10m.
What companies run services between Gunnedah, NSW, Australia and Cairns, QLD, Australia?
You can take a bus from Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop to Cairns via Moree Station, Coach Stop, Moree, Goondiwindi, Brisbane City, and Brisbane Coach Terminal in around 41h 39m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Gunnedah Station to Cairns Central Station via Werris Creek Station, Maitland Station, Roma Street Station, and Roma Street in around 43h 10m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Narrabri Airport to Cairns via Sydney International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 50m
- When
- Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $200–700
Flights from Armidale to Cairns via Sydney International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–1,400
Flights from Tamworth to Cairns via Sydney International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 51m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–1,600
Flights from Newcastle Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–1,300
Flights from Newcastle Airport to Cairns via Melbourne
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–850
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–750
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 7m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–750
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns via Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $180–750
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Narrabri Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- When
- Monday, Friday, and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $230–750
Flights from Armidale to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- When
- Tuesday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $240–750
Flights from Armidale to Cairns via Coffs Harbour, Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $240–800
Flights from Armidale to Cairns via Tamworth, Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- $250–800
Flights from Tamworth to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 18m
- When
- Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Monday
- Estimated price
- $270–850
Flights from Newcastle Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–430
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–410
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–410
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Narrabri Airport to Cairns via Sydney International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 50m
- When
- Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $200–700
Flights from Newcastle Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–850
Flights from Newcastle Airport to Cairns via Melbourne
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–850
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- $120–550
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
Train from Gunnedah Station to Narrabri Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $12–22
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
- Economy
- $12–18
- First Class
- $20–29
Train from Gunnedah Station to Moree Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 13m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $18–29
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
- Economy
- $18–26
- First Class
- $28–45
Train from Gunnedah Station to Werris Creek Station
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $10–19
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
- Economy
- $10–16
- First Class
- $17–26
Train from Werris Creek Station to Broadmeadow Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 1m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $21–35
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
- Economy
- $21–35
- First Class
- $30–50
Train from Gunnedah Station to Werris Creek Station
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $10–19
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
- Economy
- $10–16
- First Class
- $17–26
Train from Werris Creek Station to Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 18m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $30–50
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
- Economy
- $30–45
- First Class
- $45–70
Train from Gunnedah Station to Werris Creek Station
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $10–19
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
- Economy
- $10–16
- First Class
- $17–26
Train from Werris Creek Station to Maitland Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 38m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $19–35
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
- Economy
- $19–28
- First Class
- $30–45
Train from Gunnedah Station to Moree Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 13m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $18–29
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
- Economy
- $18–26
- First Class
- $28–45
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
Train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- 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 Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- 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 XPT
Train from Maitland Station to Roma Street Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 24m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $55–230
- Website
- NSW TrainLink XPT
- Book at
- NSW TrainLink XPT
- Economy
- $65–90
- First
- $95–130
- Sleeper
- $200–230
- Phone
- +61 (07) 4661 8333
- [email protected]
- Website
- crisps.com.au
Bus from Moree to Goondiwindi
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $50–110
- Schedules at
- crisps.com.au
Bus from Moree to Goondiwindi
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $50–110
- Schedules at
- crisps.com.au
Bus from Moree to Toowoomba
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 20m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $110–350
- Schedules at
- crisps.com.au
- Phone
- (61) 13 22 51
- [email protected]
- Website
- murrays.com.au
Bus from Goondiwindi to Brisbane City
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $70–100
- Schedules at
- murrays.com.au
Bus from Goondiwindi to Brisbane City
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $70–100
- Schedules at
- murrays.com.au
Bus from Toowoomba to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $26–40
- Schedules at
- murrays.com.au
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
Bus from Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop to Moree Station, Coach Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $17–25
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
Bus from Gunnedah Station, Coach Stop to Tamworth Station, Coach Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 8m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $9–14
- Website
- NSW TrainLink
- Website
- FlixBus Australia
Bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 28h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $230–380
- Schedules at
- FlixBus Australia
- Phone
- +61 (0)2 5625 0065
- [email protected]
- Website
- dorrigotransit.com.au
Bus from Tamworth Station to Armidale Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $45–65
- Schedules at
- dorrigotransit.com.au
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- Transport for NSW
Bus from Somerton Rest Area, Oxley Hwy to Peel High School
- Ave. Duration
- 37 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $4–7
- Website
- Transport for NSW
- Schedules at
- Transport for NSW
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
Bus from Toowoomba to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $35–55
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
- Schedules at
- Greyhound Australia
- Early Bird
- $35–50
- Flexible
- $40–55
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- [email protected]
- Website
- Premier Motor Service
Bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 29h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $240–350
- Website
- Premier Motor Service
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Best ways to travel around Australia
Read the travel guide
10 amazing places to get away from it all in Australia
Read the travel guide
4 of the smartest ways to explore Australia
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Gunnedah to Cairns bus services, operated by NSW TrainLink, arrive at Moree Station, Coach Stop.
Gunnedah to Cairns train services, operated by NSW TrainLink, arrive at Werris Creek Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Gunnedah to Cairns is 1979 km. It takes approximately 22h 40m to drive from Gunnedah to Cairns.
There are 1019+ hotels available in Cairns.
























