There are 7 ways to get from Mackay to Mount Isa 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 Mount Isa Airport
best- Fly from Mackay (MKY) to Mount Isa Airport (ISA)MKY - ISA
5h 18m$388–1,069Train
cheapest- Take the train from Mackay to TownsvilleSpirit of Queensland
- Take the train from Townsville station to Mount Isa stationInlander
26h 42m$70–5,085Train, bus
- Take the train from Mackay to TownsvilleSpirit of Queensland
- Take the bus from Townsville to Mount IsaMount Isa
18h 7m$151–1,686Drive 1,232.5 km
- Drive from Mackay to Mount Isa1,232.5 km
13h 40m$234–337Fly to Cloncurry Airport, bus
- Fly from Mackay (MKY) to Cloncurry Airport (CNJ)MKY - CNJ
- Take the bus from Cloncurry to Mount Isa
15h 30m$501–1,339Bus
- Take the bus from Mackay to TownsvilleCairns / ...
- Take the bus from Townsville to Mount IsaMount Isa
19h 30m$190–444Bus via Bowen
- Take the bus from Mackay to Bowen
- Take the bus from Bowen to Townsville
- Take the bus from Townsville to Mount Isa
20h 30m$203–403
Mackay to Mount Isa by train and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Mackay to Mount Isa is to bus via Bowen which costs $200 - $410 and takes 20h 30m.
The fastest way to get from Mackay to Mount Isa is to fly which takes 5h 18m and costs $380 - $1,100.
No, there is no direct bus from Mackay to Mount Isa. However, there are services departing from Mackay and arriving at Mount Isa via Townsville. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 19h 30m.
No, there is no direct train from Mackay to Mount Isa station. However, there are services departing from Mackay and arriving at Mount Isa station via Townsville station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 26h 42m.
The distance between Mackay and Mount Isa is 1016 km. The road distance is 1232.5 km.
The best way to get from Mackay to Mount Isa without a car is to train and bus which takes 18h 7m and costs $150 - $1,700.
It takes approximately 5h 18m to get from Mackay to Mount Isa, including transfers.
Mackay to Mount Isa bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, depart from Mackay station.
Mackay to Mount Isa train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, depart from Mackay station.
The best way to get from Mackay to Mount Isa is to fly which takes 5h 18m and costs $380 - $1,100. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $65 - $5,500 and takes 26h 42m, you could also bus, which costs $190 - $450 and takes 19h 30m.
What companies run services between Mackay, QLD, Australia and Mount Isa, QLD, Australia?
Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar fly from Mackay (MKY) to Mount Isa Airport (ISA) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a train from Mackay to Mount Isa station via Townsville and Townsville station in around 26h 42m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Mackay to Mount Isa Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 28m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $650–1,900
Flights from Mackay to Mount Isa Airport via Rockhampton, Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 7h
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $650–1,900
Flights from Mackay to Cloncurry Airport via Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 19h 12m
- When
- Tuesday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $500–1,600
Flights from Mackay to Cloncurry Airport via Brisbane, Mount Isa Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 13h
- When
- Monday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $750–2,300
Flights from Mackay to Cloncurry Airport via Brisbane, Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 30m
- When
- Tuesday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $450–2,400
Flights from Mackay to Cloncurry Airport via Townsville, Mount Isa Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 22h 40m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- $500–1,700
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Mackay to Mount Isa Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 50m
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- $360–1,100
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Mackay to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 47m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $19–1,386
- 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
- $85–210
- AChoice
- $19–90
- Gold Class
- $1,106
- Heritage Class
- $1,386
Train from Townsville station to Mount Isa station
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $50–3,653
- 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
- $85–300
- AChoice
- $50–240
- Gold Class
- $2,916
- Heritage Class
- $3,653
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Townsville to Mount Isa
- Ave. Duration
- 12h
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $130–300
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $130–190
- Advantage
- $150–230
- Flexible
- $190–300
Bus from Cloncurry to Mount Isa
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $27–45
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $29–45
- Advantage
- $29–45
- Flexible
- $27–45
Bus from Mackay to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $70–150
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $70–100
- Advantage
- $80–120
- Flexible
- $95–150
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Mackay to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $60–85
- 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 Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–50
- 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 Mount Isa bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, arrive at Townsville station.
Mackay to Mount Isa train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Townsville station.
Yes, the driving distance between Mackay to Mount Isa is 1232 km. It takes approximately 13h 40m to drive from Mackay to Mount Isa.
There are 27+ hotels available in Mount Isa.






