There are 6 ways to get from Melbourne to Cooktown by plane, train, bus, bus (Greyhound), or car
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 Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cooktown Airport (CTN)plane MEL - CTN
6h 52m$258–793Train, bus
- Take the train from Southern Cross to Central Stationtrain 622 / ...
- Take the train from Central Station to Roma Street Stationtrain 31
- Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain
- Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus
2d 10h$412–7,097Bus
- Take the bus from Southern Cross Coach Terminal/Spencer St to Central Stationbus
- Take the bus from Central Station to Brisbanebus
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationbus
- Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus
2d 13h$559–949Drive 3,036 km
- Drive from Melbourne to Cooktowncar 3,036 km
36h 7m$556–802Fly to Cairns, bus
- Fly from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)plane MEL - CNS
- Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus
11h 59m$263–738Bus via Campbellfield
- Take the bus from Campbellfield to Central Stationbus
- Take the bus from Central Station to Brisbanebus
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationbus
- Take the bus from Cairns to Cooktownbus
2d 20h$520–738
Melbourne to Cooktown by train and bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Melbourne to Cooktown is to fly and bus which costs $260 - $750 and takes 11h 59m.
The fastest way to get from Melbourne to Cooktown is to fly which takes 6h 52m and costs $250 - $800.
No, there is no direct bus from Melbourne to Cooktown. However, there are services departing from Southern Cross Coach Terminal/Spencer St and arriving at Cooktown via Central Station, Brisbane Roma Street and Cairns. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 13h.
The distance between Melbourne and Cooktown is 2505 km. The road distance is 3036 km.
The best way to get from Melbourne to Cooktown without a car is to train and bus which takes 2 days 10h and costs $410 - $7,500.
It takes approximately 6h 52m to get from Melbourne to Cooktown, including transfers.
Melbourne to Cooktown bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, depart from Southern Cross Coach Terminal/Spencer St station.
The best way to get from Melbourne to Cooktown is to fly which takes 6h 52m and costs $250 - $800. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $550 - $950 and takes 2 days 13h.
Melbourne to Cooktown bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, arrive at Central Station.
Cooktown is 1h behind Melbourne. It is currently 4:50 AM in Melbourne and 3:50 AM in Cooktown.
What companies run services between Melbourne, VIC, Australia and Cooktown, QLD, Australia?
Virgin Australia, Hinterland Aviation, and two other airlines fly from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cooktown Airport (CTN) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Southern Cross Coach Terminal/Spencer St to Cooktown via Central Station, Brisbane, Brisbane Roma Street, and Cairns in around 2d 13h.
- Website
- hinterlandaviation.com.au
Flights from Melbourne Airport to Cooktown Airport via Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–700
Flights from Melbourne Airport to Cooktown Airport via Brisbane, Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 30m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $270–1,400
Flights from Melbourne Airport to Cooktown Airport via Sydney, Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 10m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $260–1,400
Flights from Melbourne Airport to Cooktown Airport via Adelaide, Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 35m
- When
- Tuesday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $210–800
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- NSW TrainLink XPT
Train from Southern Cross to Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 2m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $80–240
- Website
- NSW TrainLink XPT
- Book at
- NSW TrainLink XPT
- Economy
- $80–110
- First
- $110–140
- Sleeper
- $220–240
Train from Central Station to Roma Street Station
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 6m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $85–250
- Website
- NSW TrainLink XPT
- Book at
- NSW TrainLink XPT
- Economy
- $85–110
- First
- $120–140
- Sleeper
- $220–250
- Phone
- (07) 3036 2070
- Website
- Trans North Bus & Coach
Bus from Cairns to Cooktown
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $75–110
- Website
- Trans North Bus & Coach
- Book at
- Trans North Bus & Coach
Bus from Cairns to Cooktown
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $75–110
- Website
- Trans North Bus & Coach
- Book at
- Trans North Bus & Coach
Bus from Cairns to Cooktown
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $75–110
- Website
- Trans North Bus & Coach
- Book at
- Trans North Bus & Coach
Bus from Cairns to Cooktown
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $75–110
- Website
- Trans North Bus & Coach
- Book at
- Trans North Bus & Coach
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.
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Melbourne to Cooktown is 3036 km. It takes approximately 36h 7m to drive from Melbourne to Cooktown.
There are 25+ hotels available in Cooktown.





