The route at a glance
The Kempsey–Cairns corridor.
Kempsey to Cairns is one of the longest scheduled coach corridors in Australia of 2,186 kilometres along the Pacific Highway connecting NSW and QLD. Through-services take around 42 hours, and most travellers break the journey at a midway stop rather than ride straight through. Premier Motor Service and Greyhound 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.
Premier Motor Service
Toilet20kg luggageConnecting service, change at Brisbane.
Cheaper on a pass. Premier Motor Service Value Passes: from $255 for this corridor, $144 under the direct fare.Bookon Premier Motor ServiceFrom$399Services
Depart Arrive Runs 2:15 AM 7:30 PM+1 Daily Greyhound Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageSold as a single ticket; the journey may involve a transfer at a hub.
Bookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$712Services
Depart Arrive Runs 12:35 AM 8:00 PM+1 Mon–Tue, Sat–Sun 3:05 AM 8:00 PM+1 Mon–Fri, Sun
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 $143 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
Hervey Bay
- Leg 1
Kempsey → Hervey Bay
FlixBus Australia · 20h 5m
$87Book leg 1 - Leg 2
Hervey Bay → Cairns
FlixBus Australia · 21h 50m
$169Book leg 2
1 more split option
via
Mooloolaba
- Leg 1
Kempsey → Mooloolaba
FlixBus Australia · 14h 50m
$79Book leg 1 - Leg 2
Mooloolaba → Cairns
FlixBus Australia · 27h 5m
$195Book 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 Cairns
JulyCairns, QLDCairns Indigenous Art FairFour to five days in mid-July
AugustCairns, QLDCairns FestivalLate August to early September (approx. 10 days)
Route FAQs
Kempsey to Cairns, answered.
- Around 42 hours 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 2,186 kilometres. The coach covers it in around 42 hours, allowing for stops.
- Fares start from around $399 one-way. Booking at least a week ahead usually saves you 30 to 50 percent compared to same-day fares. Same-day bookings on long-haul corridors can run double the advance-purchase price during school holidays.
- Premier Motor Service and Greyhound 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 and Greyhound Australia run direct services on this corridor, so you can travel Kempsey to Cairns 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 Cairns.
Continuing past Cairns? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
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