Skip to content

Airlie Beach to Cairns: Magnetic Island, Mission Beach and the reef

Short answer

About 620 km and around 7 hours of driving, up through Townsville. Most people split it: the ferry from Townsville to Magnetic Island, a night or two at Mission Beach, then the last couple of hours into Cairns.

Distance · about 620 km Driving · around 7 hours Tours from · $2,599
Book along the way

Tours along the route

The day trips and short tours worth stopping for between Airlie Beach and Cairns.

All tours →
Compare

Ways to do Airlie Beach to Cairns

Option How it works Price Link
Bus Greyhound East Coast Pass (Create Your Own), 7 to 45 Days Covered by the pass. Break it at Townsville for the ferry to Magnetic Island. Compare current bus pass prices. from $319 Choose your pass →
Campervan Self-drive van The last few days of our Brisbane to Cairns road trip, with Magnetic Island and Mission Beach on the way. See the Brisbane to Cairns plan. See campervan hire prices by route. Free quote Get a van quote →
Fly Flying Check flights from Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) if you're short on time, but you'd skip Magnetic Island and Mission Beach, the best bits of this leg. Skip it Flight tips →
Semi-guided · 14 days East Coast Australia: 14-Day Semi-Guided Adventure Brisbane to Cairns: the Whitsundays sail, then on to Cairns and the reef. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $2,599 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 17 days Sydney to Cairns: 17-Day Semi-Guided Adventure Sydney to Cairns: Airlie, two nights on Magnetic Island, then Cairns. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $2,999 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 21 days East Coast Semi-Guided: 21 Days, Sydney to Cairns Sydney to Cairns in three weeks: Airlie, Magnetic Island, Mission Beach, then Cairns. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $3,099 See the trip →
Fully guided · 20 days Oz East Coast Adventure, 20 Days Brisbane to Cairns Guided group trip: the Whitsundays, Magnetic Island, the Tablelands and Cairns. from $4,099 See the trip →
Semi-guided · 28 days East Coast Australia: 28-Day Semi-Guided Adventure Sydney to Cairns: two nights on Magnetic Island, then five in Cairns. Beds, transport and the big activities pre-booked in a set order. You pick the start date; guides run the big days. from $4,329 See the trip →

Prices are per person in AUD. Distances and drive times are rounded and don't include stops. Bus seats are reserved leg by leg once you have your pass. Compare today's prices: Whitsundays sailing prices, Great Barrier Reef tour prices and East Coast tour prices.

On the way

Stops worth making

The Whitsundays The Whitsundays Get the sail done before you head north: Whitehaven, Hill Inlet and a night on deck. Great Barrier Reef Great Barrier Reef The outer reef is a full day out of Cairns: snorkel or dive with turtles and rays. Cairns & Tropical North Cairns & Tropical North The end of the line: the lagoon, Kuranda, the Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

Magnetic Island, a short ferry from Townsville, for wild koalas on the Forts Walk, and Mission Beach, where the rainforest runs down to the sand.

Airlie Beach to Cairns: your questions

How far is Cairns from Airlie Beach?

About 620 km, around 7 hours of driving through Townsville.

Is Magnetic Island worth the stop?

Yes. It's a short ferry from Townsville, with wild koalas on the Forts Walk, rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay and quiet bays to snorkel.

Should I see the reef from Airlie Beach or Cairns?

Do both if you can. From Airlie the draw is sailing the islands and Whitehaven Beach; from Cairns it's a full day on the outer reef.

What's the cheapest way from Airlie Beach to Cairns?

Usually the coach. Our Greyhound East Coast pass starts from $319 and covers this leg.

Can I do Airlie Beach to Cairns on a tour?

Yes. Our semi-guided bundles and guided group trips finish this way, from $2,599.

Read before you go

Plan the next leg

Sydney to Byron Bay →Byron Bay to Noosa →Brisbane to Noosa →Noosa to Rainbow Beach →Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach →Brisbane to Cairns →Sydney to Cairns →Sydney to Melbourne →Melbourne to Adelaide →

Doing the whole coast? See the 21-day East Coast itinerary, compare bus passes or ask us to plan it.