The route at a glance
The Ballina–Canberra corridor.
Ballina to Canberra is one of the longest scheduled coach corridors in Australia of 1,005 kilometres connecting NSW and ACT. Through-services take around 19 hours and 30 minutes, and most travellers break the journey at a midway stop rather than ride straight through. Greyhound Australia and FlixBus Australia run scheduled services on this corridor, giving you a choice of departure times and price points. Hop-on hop-off passes can work out cheaper than buying segments individually if you plan to stop along the way.
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 luggageConnecting service, change at Sydney Central Station.
Bookon FlixBus AustraliaFrom$103Services
Depart Arrive Runs 5:30 PM 1:00 PM+1 Tue, Fri 5:30 PM 10:10 AM+1 Mon, Wed–Thu, Sat–Sun 5:30 PM 10:25 AM+1 Mon, Wed–Thu, Sat–Sun Greyhound Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageSold as a single ticket; the journey may involve a transfer at a hub.
Bookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$143Services
Depart Arrive Runs 5:45 PM 9:00 PM+1 Daily 6:45 PM 9:00 PM+1 Tue
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.
Cheaper as separate tickets?
Save up to $48 by splitting this trip.
Booking this journey as separate tickets at each stop can be cheaper than the through-fare. We compared each operator's through-fare against the lowest combined price for each pair of segments and surfaced the splits that beat the direct fare by at least $5 and 10%.
via
Gold Coast
- Leg 1
Ballina → Gold Coast
FlixBus Australia · 2h 10m
$16Book leg 1 - Leg 2
Gold Coast → Canberra
FlixBus Australia · 22h 8m
$39Book leg 2
2 more split options
via
Brisbane
- Leg 1
Ballina → Brisbane
FlixBus Australia · 4h
$22Book leg 1 - Leg 2
Brisbane → Canberra
FlixBus Australia · 17h 36m
$41Book leg 2
via
Byron Bay
- Leg 1
Ballina → Byron Bay
NSW TrainLink · 38m
- Leg 2
Byron Bay → Canberra
FlixBus Australia · 20h 45m
$62Book leg 2
Important
- Each leg is a separate ticket; operators do not protect a missed connection on one leg with the other operator's service. Build a buffer; don't book back-to-back.
- Luggage allowance, accessibility provisions and refund rules may differ between operators. Confirm each operator's policy on their booking page before paying.
- Fares shown are the lowest indicative price we've observed and may not match the live operator quote on your specific date. Final price is confirmed at checkout on each operator's site.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
Book at least seven days ahead during school holidays, the Easter long weekend, and the Christmas–New Year period. Long-haul corridors fill quickly during these windows and same-day fares can be double the advance-purchase price. 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. Pack snacks and a refillable water bottle. Rest stop options on regional corridors are sparse, particularly between major towns. 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.
Worth timing your trip for
What's on in Canberra
SeptemberCanberra, ACTFloriadeMid-September to mid-October (approx. 30 days)
JanuaryCanberra, ACTSummernatsFirst weekend of January (4 days)
FebruaryCanberra, ACTNational Multicultural FestivalThird weekend of February (3 days)
Route FAQs
Ballina to Canberra, answered.
- Around 19 hours and 30 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 1,005 kilometres. The coach covers it in around 19 hours and 30 minutes, allowing for stops.
- 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. Greyhound Australia and FlixBus Australia run direct services on this corridor, so you can travel Ballina to Canberra 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.
- Not currently scheduled on this corridor. Most services run during the day with a meal stop midway. Check the timetable above for current departure times.
- 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 Canberra.
Continuing past Canberra? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
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