There are 4 ways to get from Cardwell to Mackay by train, bus (Greyhound), 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.
Train
best- Take the train from Cardwell to MackaySpirit of Queensland
7h 35m$28–1,985Bus
- Take the bus from Cardwell Brasenose Street to MackayPm19
8h 35m$75–200Drive 549.6 km
- Drive from Cardwell to Mackay549.6 km
6h 29m$104–151Train, fly
- Take the train from Cardwell to Cairns Central Station
- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Mackay (MKY)CNS - MKY
10h 6m$239–1,217
Cardwell to Mackay by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Cardwell to Mackay is to bus which costs $75 - $200 and takes 8h 35m.
The fastest way to get from Cardwell to Mackay is to drive which takes 6h 29m and costs $100 - $150.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Cardwell Brasenose Street and arriving at Mackay. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 8h 35m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Cardwell and arriving at Mackay. Services depart four times a week, and operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The journey takes approximately 7h 35m.
The distance between Cardwell and Mackay is 532 km. The road distance is 549.6 km.
The best way to get from Cardwell to Mackay without a car is to train which takes 7h 35m and costs $28 - $2,000.
The train from Cardwell to Mackay takes 7h 35m including transfers and departs four times a week.
Cardwell to Mackay bus services, operated by Premier Motor Service, depart from Cardwell Brasenose Street station.
Cardwell to Mackay train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, depart from Cardwell station.
The best way to get from Cardwell to Mackay is to train which takes 7h 35m and costs $28 - $2,000. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $75 - $200 and takes 8h 35m.
What companies run services between Cardwell, QLD, Australia and Mackay, QLD, Australia?
Queensland Rail Travel operates a train from Cardwell to Mackay 4 times a week. Tickets cost $28–1,985 and the journey takes 7h 35m. Alternatively, Premier Motor Service operates a bus from Cardwell Brasenose Street to Mackay once daily. Tickets cost $75–110 and the journey takes 8h 35m. Greyhound Australia also services this route once daily.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Cairns to Mackay via Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 15m
- When
- Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $400–650
Flights from Cairns to Mackay via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–650
Flights from Cairns to Mackay via Townsville, Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- When
- Monday to Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $400–650
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Cairns to Mackay via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–390
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Cairns to Mackay via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- When
- Tuesday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $220–550
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Cardwell to Mackay
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $28–1,985
- Book at
- https://queenslandrailtravel-booking.opendestinations.com/BookingSite/rail/search
- Website
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Timetable.aspx
- BQuick
- $85–230
- AChoice
- $28–130
- Gold Class
- $1,585
- Heritage Class
- $1,985
Train from Cardwell to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 31m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $9–668
- Book at
- https://queenslandrailtravel-booking.opendestinations.com/BookingSite/rail/search
- Website
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Timetable.aspx
- BQuick
- $85–180
- AChoice
- $9–45
- Gold Class
- $533
- Heritage Class
- $668
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Cardwell Brasenose Street to Mackay
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $75–110
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Cardwell Brasenose Street to Mackay
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $90–200
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $90–130
- Advantage
- $100–160
- Flexible
- $130–200
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
Cardwell to Mackay bus services, operated by Premier Motor Service, arrive at Mackay station.
Cardwell to Mackay train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Mackay station.
Yes, the driving distance between Cardwell to Mackay is 550 km. It takes approximately 6h 29m to drive from Cardwell to Mackay.
There are 86+ hotels available in Mackay.






