There are 5 ways to get from Mackay to Cardwell by plane, car, train, bus (Greyhound), or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly, drive
best- Fly from Mackay (MKY) to Townsville Airport (TSV)MKY - TSV
- Drive from Townsville-Airport-TSV to Cardwell
2h 54m$254–645Train
cheapest- Take the train from Mackay to CardwellSpirit of Queensland
7h 56m$28–1,985Bus
- Take the bus from Mackay to CardwellCairns
8h 40m$75–200Drive 549.1 km
- Drive from Mackay to Cardwell549.1 km
6h 28m$104–151Bus via Bowen
- Take the bus from Mackay to BowenPm16
- Take the bus from Bowen to Cardwell Brasenose StreetPm16
10h 5m$88–128
Mackay to Cardwell by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Mackay to Cardwell is to bus via Bowen which costs $85 - $130 and takes 10h 5m.
The fastest way to get from Mackay to Cardwell is to fly and drive which takes 2h 54m and costs $250 - $650.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Mackay and arriving at Cardwell. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 8h 40m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Mackay and arriving at Cardwell. Services depart four times a week, and operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The journey takes approximately 7h 56m.
The distance between Mackay and Cardwell is 491 km. The road distance is 549.1 km.
The best way to get from Mackay to Cardwell without a car is to train which takes 7h 56m and costs $28 - $2,000.
It takes approximately 2h 54m to get from Mackay to Cardwell, including transfers.
Mackay to Cardwell bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, depart from Mackay station.
Mackay to Cardwell train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, depart from Mackay station.
The best way to get from Mackay to Cardwell is to train which takes 7h 56m and costs $28 - $2,000. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $75 - $200 and takes 8h 40m.
What companies run services between Mackay, QLD, Australia and Cardwell, QLD, Australia?
Queensland Rail Travel operates a train from Mackay to Cardwell 4 times a week. Tickets cost $28–1,985 and the journey takes 7h 56m. Alternatively, Greyhound Australia operates a bus from Mackay to Cardwell once daily. Tickets cost $90–200 and the journey takes 8h 40m. Premier Motor Service also services this route once daily.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Mackay to Townsville Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–550
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Mackay to Cardwell
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 56m
- 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
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Mackay to Cardwell
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 40m
- 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
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Mackay to Cardwell
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $75–110
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
Bus from Mackay to Bowen
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–55
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
Bus from Bowen to Cardwell Brasenose Street
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
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
Mackay to Cardwell bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, arrive at Cardwell station.
Mackay to Cardwell train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Cardwell station.
Yes, the driving distance between Mackay to Cardwell is 549 km. It takes approximately 6h 28m to drive from Mackay to Cardwell.
There are nine+ hotels available in Cardwell.






