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How to get fromWhitsunday to Cairnsby ferry, plane, bus, train, or car

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There are 8 ways to get from Whitsunday to Cairns by ferry, 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.

  1. Ferry, ferry to Whitsunday Coast Airport, fly

    best
    1. Take the ferry from Daydream Island to Shute Harbourferry ferry
    2. Take the ferry from Shute Harbour to Palm Bayferry ferry
    3. Fly from Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane PPP - CNS
    6h 34m
    $446–1,098

  2. Ferry, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the ferry from Daydream Island to Port of Airlieferry ferry
    2. Take the train from Proserpine to Cairns Central Stationtrain train Spirit of Queensland
    12h 57m
    $111–2,288

  3. Ferry, bus

    1. Take the ferry from Daydream Island to Port of Airlieferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Cairns Central Stationbus bus Pm16
    11h 30m
    $122–178

  4. Drive  667.4 km

    1. Drive from Whitsunday to Cairnscar car 667.4 km
    8h 39m
    $143–206

  5. Drive to Moranbah Airport, fly

    1. Drive from Whitsunday to Moranbah Airport (MOV)car car
    2. Fly from Moranbah Airport (MOV) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane MOV - CNS
    6h 11m
    $302–675

  6. Ferry, bus to Mackay, fly

    1. Take the ferry from Daydream Island to Port of Airlieferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Mackaybus bus
    3. Fly from Mackay (MKY) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane MKY - CNS
    9h 30m
    $333–659

  7. Ferry, train to Townsville Airport, fly

    1. Take the ferry from Daydream Island to Port of Airlieferry ferry
    2. Take the train from Proserpine to Townsvilletrain train
    3. Fly from Townsville Airport (TSV) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane TSV - CNS
    9h 53m
    $251–1,412

  8. Ferry, bus via Cairns

    1. Take the ferry from Daydream Island to Port of Airlieferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Cairnsbus bus Cairns
    11h 40m
    $132–278

Whitsunday to Cairns by ferry and bus

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration11h 30mAverage Duration
Ticket$122Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Whitsunday to Cairns.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 555.5 km
  • Duration: 6h 34m

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

There is no direct connection from Whitsunday to Cairns. However, you can take the ferry to Shute Harbour, take the ferry to Palm Bay, walk to Palm Bay, take the vehicle to Proserpine Airport, walk to Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) airport, fly to Cairns (CNS), walk to Cairns Airport, then take the line 100 bus to Cairns Hospital. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Daydream Island to Cairns Central Station via Port of Airlie and Airlie Beach in around 11h 30m.

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