The route at a glance
The Rockhampton–Cairns corridor.
Rockhampton to Cairns is a 1,000-kilometre Bruce Highway run through Mackay, Airlie Beach, Townsville and Innisfail. Greyhound and Premier Motor Service both run daily services taking around 14 hours including stops. Most travellers break the journey at Airlie Beach for the Whitsundays or Townsville for Magnetic Island rather than ride the full corridor in one go.
Typical calling points
- RockhamptonQLD
- MarlboroughQLD
- St LawrenceQLD
- SarinaQLD
- MackayQLD
- ProserpineQLD
- Airlie BeachQLD
- CairnsQLD
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.
- Bookon FlixBus AustraliaFrom$124
Services
Depart Arrive Runs 2:10 AM 6:25 PM Daily Greyhound Australia
Overnight serviceWi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageBookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$201Services
Depart Arrive Runs 3:20 AM 8:00 PM Daily - Bookon Premier Motor ServiceFrom$210
Services
Depart Arrive Runs 2:55 AM 7:30 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.
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, Greyhound Australia and FlixBus Australia. Bring a neck pillow and layers, as the air-conditioning runs cool.
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. Overnight coaches double as accommodation, so factor that hotel-night saving into your fare comparison. Bring a neck pillow and an eye mask if you want to sleep properly; coaches recline but don't lie flat. Cyclone season (December to April) regularly disrupts the Bruce Highway around Tully, Cardwell and Ingham. Build a flexible day into your itinerary if you're travelling north Queensland in those months. 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
Rockhampton to Cairns, answered.
- Around 15 hours and 40 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 1,065 kilometres. The coach covers it in around 15 hours and 40 minutes, allowing for stops.
- Fares start from around $124 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, 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 Rockhampton 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.
- Yes. At least one operator on this corridor runs an overnight service. Overnight coaches save you a hotel night on long routes and arrive in time for the morning, but they're not sleeper buses; seats recline but don't lie flat.
- 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.
Related routes