Rome2Rio

How to get fromHamilton Island to Cooktownby ferry, bus, train or plane

Find Transport to Cooktown

See all options

There are 6 ways to get from Hamilton Island to Cooktown by ferry, bus, train, 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. Ferry, bus via Shute Harbour

    best
    1. Take the ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Shute Harbourferry
    2. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Cairns Central Stationbus
    3. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus
    18h 5m
    $201–296
  2. Ferry, bus, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Shute Harbourferry
    2. Take the bus from Shute Harbour Marine Terminal to Proserpine, Mill Streetbus860
    3. Take the train from Proserpine to Cairns Central Stationtrain
    4. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus
    19h 14m
    $151–2,376
  3. Fly Great Barrier Reef Airport to Cooktown Airport

    1. Fly from Great Barrier Reef Airport (HTI) to Cooktown Airport (CTN)planeHTI - CTN
    17h 8m
    $566–1,419
  4. Ferry, bus

    1. Take the ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Port of Airlieferry
    2. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Cairnsbus
    3. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus
    18h 29m
    $225–408
  5. Fly Great Barrier Reef Airport to Cairns, bus

    1. Fly from Great Barrier Reef Airport (HTI) to Cairns (CNS)planeHTI - CNS
    2. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus
    12h 20m
    $447–1,200
  6. Ferry, ferry to Whitsunday Coast Airport, fly to Cairns, bus

    1. Take the ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Shute Harbourferry
    2. Take the ferry from Shute Harbour to Palm Bayferry
    3. Fly from Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) to Cairns (CNS)planePPP - CNS
    4. Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus
    13h 35m
    $471–1,136

Hamilton Island to Cooktown by ferry, bus, and foot

Calendar6Weekly Services
Duration18h 5mAverage Duration
Ticket$201Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Hamilton Island, QLD, Australia and Cooktown, QLD, Australia?

Qantas, Hinterland Aviation, and two other airlines fly from Great Barrier Reef Airport (HTI) to Cooktown Airport (CTN) 4 times a day.

Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

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