The route at a glance
The Airlie Beach–Townsville corridor.
Airlie Beach to Townsville is a 280-kilometre Bruce Highway hop through Bowen and Ayr, taking around 4 hours by coach. Greyhound and Premier Motor Service both run daily services, making this the standard coach route from the Whitsundays north to the Magnetic Island and Reef trip departure point at Townsville. Sit on the right-hand side for ocean views past Bowen.
Typical calling points
- Airlie BeachQLD
- BowenQLD
- Home HillQLD
- AyrQLD
- TownsvilleQLD
Typical stops on this corridor. Actual calling points vary by operator and service.
Journey essentials
- Onboard
- Wi-Fi · Toilet · USB charging · Wheelchair access
- Luggage
- 1 × 40kg checked bag
Compare operators
Who runs this route.
FlixBus Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingEco-friendly40kg luggageBookon FlixBus AustraliaFrom$29Services
Depart Arrive Runs 8:55 AM 1:05 PM Daily Greyhound Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageBookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$62Services
Depart Arrive Runs 8:10 AM 12:40 PM Daily 9:50 AM 2:20 PM Daily Premier Motor Service
Toilet20kg luggageBookon Premier Motor ServiceFrom$72Services
Depart Arrive Runs 9:30 AM 1:35 PM Daily
Fares are indicative. Live pricing may vary by date and availability. AusBus earns a small commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you.
Spotted an error or a missing operator on this route? Let us know.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
Mid-week departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are typically cheaper than Friday afternoon or Sunday services. Booking three to four days ahead is usually enough outside school holidays. Arrive at the terminal at least 15 minutes before departure. Most operators begin boarding 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time and won't hold the coach for late passengers. Check the operator's luggage policy before you travel. Most include one checked bag (40 kg) and one carry-on, but allowances vary by carrier and additional bags usually attract a fee.
Route FAQs
Airlie Beach to Townsville, answered.
- Around 3 hours and 45 minutes for a typical scheduled service. Travel time can vary by 30 minutes or more depending on the operator, the number of intermediate stops, and traffic on the day.
- The coach route is about 280 kilometres. The coach covers it in around 3 hours and 45 minutes, allowing for stops.
- Fares start from around $29 one-way. Booking three to four days ahead usually gets you the lowest fare. Same-day bookings on long-haul corridors can run double the advance-purchase price during school holidays.
- Premier Motor Service, Greyhound Australia and FlixBus Australia operate services on this route. Use the operator comparison above to see which suits your travel date, budget and preferences for amenities like Wi-Fi, USB charging and onboard toilets.
- Yes. Premier Motor Service, Greyhound Australia and FlixBus Australia run direct services on this corridor, so you can travel Airlie Beach to Townsville without changing coaches. Check the timetable above for current departure times.
- Services on this route offer Wi-Fi, an onboard toilet, USB charging and wheelchair access. Amenities vary by operator and vehicle, so check the specific service when you book.
- Last-minute seats are sometimes available, but never guaranteed, particularly on Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and during school holidays. Booking online a few days ahead is strongly recommended and almost always cheaper.
- Most operators include one checked bag (up to 40 kg) and one carry-on bag in the ticket price. Additional bags usually attract a fee. Check the specific operator's luggage policy at the time of booking.
Keep going
Onward from Townsville.
Continuing past Townsville? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
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