The route at a glance
The Cairns–Brisbane corridor.
The Cairns to Brisbane bus is the longest scheduled coastal coach run in Australia, covering roughly 1,700 kilometres of the Bruce Highway over 24 to 28 hours. Most travellers break the journey at Townsville, Airlie Beach or Hervey Bay rather than riding straight through; Greyhound and Premier Motor Service both honour hop-on hop-off passes that make this corridor ideal for east coast itineraries. Through-services run overnight and arrive at Brisbane Roma Street the following afternoon.
Typical calling points
- CairnsQLD
- GordonvaleQLD
- BabindaQLD
- InnisfailQLD
- MourilyanQLD
- SilkwoodQLD
- El ArishQLD
- BrisbaneQLD
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
- Overnight option
- Available on this corridor
Compare operators
Who runs this route.
FlixBus Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingEco-friendly40kg luggageConnecting service, change at Bundaberg Depot.
Bookon FlixBus AustraliaFrom$93Services
Depart Arrive Runs 8:15 AM 1:00 PM+1 Daily Premier Motor Service
Overnight serviceToilet20kg luggageCheaper on a pass. Premier Motor Service Value Passes: from $255 for this corridor, $52 under the direct fare.Bookon Premier Motor ServiceFrom$307Services
Depart Arrive Runs 7:25 AM 12:30 PM+1 Daily Greyhound Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageBookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$555Services
Depart Arrive Runs 7:00 AM 1:00 PM+1 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.
Day bus or night bus?
Choosing your departure.
Daytime coaches let you watch the country roll past and break the trip at meal stops. Greyhound Australia and FlixBus Australia run daytime services on this route.
Board in the evening, sleep through the drive and arrive the next morning, saving a night's accommodation. Overnight services here are run by Premier Motor Service. Bring a neck pillow and layers, as the air-conditioning runs cool.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
Few people ride the full Cairns to Brisbane in one shot. If you have a week, break it into Cairns → Airlie Beach (Whitsundays), Airlie Beach → Hervey Bay (Fraser Island), Hervey Bay → Brisbane. A Greyhound or Premier multi-stop pass works out cheaper than buying segments individually if you're stopping three or more times. Book the Cairns to Townsville leg ahead in dry season (May–October) when the Magnetic Island and reef trips drive demand. The Bruce Highway is single-lane for long stretches, so build buffer into onward connections from Brisbane; delays of 30 to 60 minutes are common after the wet season floods near Tully and Cardwell.
Worth timing your trip for
What's on in Brisbane
SeptemberBrisbane, QLDBrisbane FestivalFirst three weeks of September, closing with Riverfire
DecemberWoodford, QLDWoodford Folk Festival27 December to 1 January (6 days)
MayBrisbane, QLDPaniyiri Greek FestivalThird weekend of May (2 days)
Route FAQs
Cairns to Brisbane, answered.
- Through-services take 24 to 28 hours depending on operator and number of stops. Most travellers break the trip into segments over several days rather than riding straight through.
- Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service run the full corridor. FlixBus operates selected segments. All three honour hop-on hop-off passes between major coastal stops.
- Through-fares start from around $93 one-way. Hop-on hop-off passes covering the full corridor are usually better value if you plan to stop along the way; Greyhound's East Coast Whimit pass starts from $319.
- The Spirit of Queensland train is faster and more comfortable but significantly more expensive and runs less frequently. Buses are better value, more flexible, and stop at the coastal towns most travellers want to visit.
- Yes, Greyhound runs overnight services that depart Cairns in the late afternoon and arrive in Brisbane the following day. They're the most efficient way to ride the full corridor without losing daylight.
Keep going
Onward from Brisbane.
Continuing past Brisbane? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
Related routes