There are 6 ways to get from Mackay to Cooktown by plane, train, bus, car, or bus (Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Cooktown Airport
best- Fly from Mackay (MKY) to Cooktown Airport (CTN)MKY - CTN
8h 28m$317–926Train, bus
cheapest- Take the train from Mackay to Cairns Central StationSpirit of Queensland
- Take the bus from Cairns to CooktownCairns
17h 12m$107–2,762Bus
- Take the bus from Mackay to Cairns Central StationPm16
- Take the bus from Cairns to CooktownCairns
17h 55m$170–249Drive 1,033.7 km
- Drive from Mackay to Cooktown1,033.7 km
12h 15m$196–283Fly to Cairns, bus
- Fly from Mackay (MKY) to Cairns (CNS)MKY - CNS
- Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktown
11h 40m$300–635Bus via Cairns
- Take the bus from Mackay to CairnsCairns
- Take the bus from Cairns to CooktownCairns
18h 4m$188–374
Mackay to Cooktown by train and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Mackay to Cooktown is to bus which costs $170 - $250 and takes 17h 55m.
The fastest way to get from Mackay to Cooktown is to fly which takes 8h 28m and costs $310 - $950.
No, there is no direct bus from Mackay to Cooktown. However, there are services departing from Mackay and arriving at Cooktown via Cairns. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 17h 55m.
The distance between Mackay and Cooktown is 777 km. The road distance is 1033.7 km.
The best way to get from Mackay to Cooktown without a car is to train and bus which takes 17h 12m and costs $100 - $2,800.
It takes approximately 8h 28m to get from Mackay to Cooktown, including transfers.
Mackay to Cooktown bus services, operated by Premier Motor Service, depart from Mackay station.
The best way to get from Mackay to Cooktown is to fly which takes 8h 28m and costs $310 - $950. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $170 - $250 and takes 17h 55m.
Mackay to Cooktown bus services, operated by Premier Motor Service, arrive at Cairns Central Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Mackay to Cooktown is 1034 km. It takes approximately 12h 15m to drive from Mackay to Cooktown.
What companies run services between Mackay, QLD, Australia and Cooktown, QLD, Australia?
Qantas and Hinterland Aviation fly from Mackay (MKY) to Cooktown Airport (CTN) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Mackay to Cooktown via Cairns in around 17h 55m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Mackay to Cairns via Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- When
- Monday to Thursday
- Estimated price
- $400–650
Flights from Mackay to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $400–650
Flights from Mackay to Cairns via Brisbane, Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 7m
- When
- Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $400–650
Flights from Mackay to Cairns via Rockhampton, Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $400–650
- Website
- hinterlandaviation.com.au
Flights from Mackay to Cooktown Airport via Brisbane, Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $440–1,300
Flights from Mackay to Cooktown Airport via Townsville, Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 55m
- When
- Thursday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $260–900
Flights from Mackay to Cooktown Airport via Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 15m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $440–1,300
Flights from Mackay to Cooktown Airport via Rockhampton, Brisbane, Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 35m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $440–1,300
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Mackay to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–390
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Mackay to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 27m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $35–2,652
- 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
- $85–260
- AChoice
- $35–170
- Gold Class
- $2,118
- Heritage Class
- $2,652
- Phone
- +61 7 3036 2070
- Website
- transnorthbus.com.au
Bus from Cairns to Cooktown
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $70–110
- Website
- https://www.transnorthbus.com.au/
- Book at
- https://www.tnbc.com.au/
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Mackay to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $100–140
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Mackay to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110–270
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $110–170
- Advantage
- $140–210
- Flexible
- $170–270
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There are 27+ hotels available in Cooktown.