There are 5 ways to get from Melbourne to Central Australia by plane, bus (Greyhound), 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
best- Fly from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Alice Springs Airport (ASP)plane MEL - ASP
4h 52m$498–1,193Bus via Southern Cross Coach Terminal/Spencer St
cheapest- Take the bus from Southern Cross Coach Terminal/Spencer St to 85 Franklin Stbus Coach
- Take the bus from Adelaide to Alice Springsbus Alice Springs
33h 20m$231–610Bus
- Take the bus from Southern Cross Coach Terminal to Adelaidebus Adelaide
- Take the bus from Adelaide to Alice Springsbus Alice Springs
31h 45m$283–616Train
- Take the train from Southern Cross Station to Adelaide Stationtrain The Overland
- Take the train from Adelaide Station to Alice Springstrain The Ghan
38h$2,305–2,507Drive 2,238.5 km
- Drive from Melbourne to Central Australiacar 2,238.5 km
23h 50m$408–589
Melbourne to Central Australia by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Melbourne to Central Australia is to bus via Southern Cross Coach Terminal/Spencer St which costs $230 - $650 and takes 33h 20m.
The fastest way to get from Melbourne to Central Australia is to fly which takes 4h 52m and costs $490 - $1,200.
No, there is no direct bus from Melbourne to Central Australia. However, there are services departing from Southern Cross Coach Terminal and arriving at Alice Springs via Adelaide. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 31h 45m.
No, there is no direct train from Melbourne station to Central Australia. However, there are services departing from Southern Cross Station and arriving at Alice Springs via Adelaide Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 38h.
The distance between Melbourne and Central Australia is 1895 km. The road distance is 2238.5 km.
The best way to get from Melbourne to Central Australia without a car is to bus which takes 31h 45m and costs $280 - $650.
It takes approximately 4h 52m to get from Melbourne to Central Australia, including transfers.
Melbourne to Central Australia bus services, operated by Firefly Express, depart from Southern Cross Coach Terminal station.
Melbourne to Central Australia train services, operated by Journey Beyond - The Overland, depart from Southern Cross Station.
The best way to get from Melbourne to Central Australia is to fly which takes 4h 52m and costs $490 - $1,200. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $280 - $650 and takes 31h 45m, you could also train, which costs $2,300 - $2,600 and takes 38h.
What companies run services between Melbourne, VIC, Australia and Central Australia, NT, Australia?
Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Airnorth fly from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Alice Springs Airport (ASP) twice daily. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Southern Cross Coach Terminal to Alice Springs via Adelaide in around 31h 45m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Melbourne Airport to Alice Springs Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $440–1,100
Flights from Melbourne Airport to Alice Springs Airport via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 50m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $440–1,100
Flights from Melbourne Airport to Alice Springs Airport via Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 55m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $440–1,100
- Phone
- 1800 703 357
- [email protected]
- Website
- Journey Beyond
Train from Southern Cross Station to Adelaide Station
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $210–420
- Website
- Journey Beyond
- Red Standard
- $210–250
- Red Premium
- $350–420
- Phone
- 1300 730 740
- [email protected]
- Website
- Firefly Express
Bus from Southern Cross Coach Terminal to Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $63–66
- Website
- Firefly Express
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
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Read the travel guideBooking & Getting There
Melbourne to Central Australia bus services, operated by Firefly Express, arrive at Adelaide station.
Melbourne to Central Australia train services, operated by Journey Beyond - The Overland, arrive at Adelaide Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Melbourne to Central Australia is 2238 km. It takes approximately 23h 50m to drive from Melbourne to Central Australia.
Book your Melbourne to Central Australia bus tickets online with 12go.asia.
There are 22+ hotels available in Central Australia.