Lexi Webster
Townsville and Cairns are two cities in Queensland, Australia, with a distance of about 175 to 186 miles between them. There are several ways to travel between the two cities, including by plane, train, bus, or car. The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by plane, which takes about 2 hours and 27 minutes, while the cheapest way to travel is by car, which costs about $40 to $65 and takes about 4 hours. The road trip between Townsville and Cairns offers various attractions, including national parks, waterfalls, and historical sites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance | 346 kilometers |
| Flight time | 55 minutes |
| Drive time | 4 hours, 15 minutes |
| Road distance | 374 kilometers |
| Nearest airport | Townsville Airport |
| States | Queensland, Australia |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The distance between Cairns and Townsville is 175.13 miles or 281.84 kilometres
- The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by plane, taking 2 hours and 27 minutes
- The cheapest way to travel between the two cities is by car, costing $40-65
- The Great Green Way between Cairns and Townsville is a scenic route with 12 national parks
- The road trip can be extended with stops at waterfalls, beaches, and heritage sites
The distance between Cairns and Townsville is 175.13 miles or 281.84 kilometres
The distance between Cairns and Townsville in Queensland, Australia is 175.13 miles or 281.84 kilometres. This distance can be covered by road in approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes, although some sources suggest it can take up to 4 and a half hours or even 5 hours and 30 minutes. The road distance is 215.7 miles or 345 kilometres.
The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by plane, which takes 2 hours and 27 minutes. The cheapest way to travel between Cairns and Townsville is by car, which costs $40-65.
The Great Green Way is a popular road trip route between Cairns and Townsville. It passes through over 12 national parks, including Paluma Range National Park, and offers various attractions, such as Wallaman Falls, the highest single drop of water in Australia.
Tarantulas in Australia: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by plane, taking 2 hours and 27 minutes
The distance between Cairns and Townsville, Australia is around 175 to 186 miles, or 281 to 283 kilometres. While driving this route without stopping usually takes between 4 and 5 hours, the fastest way to travel between the two cities is by plane, taking 2 hours and 27 minutes.
Regional Express and Qantas operate flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Townsville Airport (TSV) 5 times a day. The flight costs between $130 and $420.
If you are not in a rush, the drive between Cairns and Townsville can be a rewarding experience in itself. The route, known as the Great Green Way, takes you through over 12 national parks. Along the way, you can explore seaside towns, walk to giant waterfalls, and visit unique places such as Paronella Park, a castle built by a Spanish cane farmer in 1935. You can also take a detour to see Wallaman Falls, the highest single drop of water in Australia.
Victoria's Golden Flowers: What's Blooming in Australia?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The cheapest way to travel between the two cities is by car, costing $40-65
The distance between Cairns and Townsville, two cities in Queensland, Australia, is 176 miles or 283 kilometres. The driving distance between the two cities is 345 kilometres or 215-216 miles.
There are also several waterfalls, including Barron Falls, a steep tiered cascade waterfall on the Barron River, and Wallaman Falls, the highest single drop of water in Australia. There are lots of campervan hire companies in Cairns, which can give you the flexibility to change your itinerary.
If you're looking to camp outdoors, there are free camping spots between Cairns and Townsville that offer a range of facilities to accommodate beginner and seasoned campers. Etty Bay Caravan Park, for example, is located in tropical North Queensland near Innisfail on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Cardwell Beachcomber, located in the coastal town of Cardwell, offers camping with powered sites starting from $55 a night.
If you're looking to combine outdoor adventures with delicious food, the Hinchinbrook Way route offers beautiful national parks and the Great Barrier Reef, along with the local foods of charming coastal towns.
Name Change: Can It Wipe Your Credit History Clean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Great Green Way between Cairns and Townsville is a scenic route with 12 national parks
The distance between Cairns and Townsville in Australia is 283 kilometres (176 miles) or 345 kilometres (215 miles) by road. The drive takes around 4 to 5 hours without stopping, but there are plenty of reasons to take a few extra days to explore the region's natural beauty and friendly towns.
The first stop south of Cairns is Babinda Boulders, a beautiful freshwater swimming hole dotted with huge, smooth granite rocks. It is a great place to take a refreshing swim in the summer. Further south is Etty Bay, known as one of North Queensland's most scenic beaches, where cassowaries and their chicks can often be spotted in the late afternoon and early morning.
Another highlight of the route is Wallaman Falls, the highest single drop of water in Australia, located off the main highway up to Paluma Range National Park. The park is touted as the southern gateway to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, offering refreshing creeks and waterholes for swimming and short walking tracks with opportunities to catch glimpses of wildlife, including platypuses.
The route also passes through sugarcane fields and forests, with a detour option to the magical ruins of a former Spanish Castle at Paronella Park. The town of Lucinda is home to the longest service jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, stretching almost 6 kilometres into the sea. Cardwell is the gateway to Hinchinbrook Island and the perfect launchpad for an outdoorsy weekend, with the naturally-fed, seasonal creek of Cardwell Spa Pool nearby.
The journey along the Great Green Way ends in Townsville, but there are plenty of things to do and see in this historic town before continuing your East Coast adventure. A short ferry ride will take you to Magnetic Island, home to Northern Australia's largest colony of koalas living in the wild and 23 bays and beaches. Townsville itself offers attractions such as the Reef HQ Aquarium, the Museum of North Queensland, and the Castle Hill Lookout with its fabulous panoramas.
Exploring Croatia's Size Compared to Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$323 $349.99
The road trip can be extended with stops at waterfalls, beaches, and heritage sites
The distance between Cairns and Townsville is 283 kilometres (176 miles) in a straight line, or 345 kilometres (215 miles) by road. The road trip from Cairns to Townsville can be extended with stops at waterfalls, beaches, and heritage sites. The drive down Australia's East Coast offers exhilarating natural experiences and breathtaking beauty.
The Wet Tropics Rainforest, a World Heritage-listed area, is home to Barron Falls, one of the largest waterfalls near Cairns with over 125 meters of cascading water. The mighty Barron Falls is a popular attraction in the Wet Tropics Area due to its immense size and ease of access. Visitors can also explore the majestic waterfalls and rainforests of Atherton Tablelands, including Millaa Millaa and Josephine Falls.
Mission Beach, a 14-kilometre stretch of sand connecting four villages, offers a unique blend of adrenaline-pumping activities and tranquil beach experiences. Visitors can enjoy tandem skydiving, white water rafting, and exploring the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Cardwell, a launchpad for outdoor adventures, provides access to Australia's largest island National Park and scenic 4WD tracks.
Hinchinbrook Island, a short boat ride from Cardwell or Lucinda, boasts sapphire waters, pristine beaches, and lush emerald rainforests. Visitors can hike, kayak, fish, snorkel, and explore the untouched beauty of the island and the surrounding Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Townsville itself is a historic town with plenty of attractions, including a short ferry ride to Magnetic Island, home to Northern Australia's largest colony of wild koalas.
The road trip from Cairns to Townsville offers a wealth of opportunities for exploration and adventure, with natural wonders, cultural experiences, and breathtaking scenery along the way. Whether it's waterfalls, beaches, or heritage sites, there's something for everyone on this journey through Tropical North Queensland.
Healthy Eating: Australia's Top Five Food Guidelines
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The distance between Townsville and Cairns is 175.13 miles (281.84 km). The driving distance is 215 miles (345 km).
It takes approximately 4 hours to drive from Cairns to Townsville without stopping. The road trip can be extended over a few days to explore the various attractions along the way.
The drive from Cairns to Townsville, known as the Great Green Way, passes through over 12 national parks. Some attractions include Wallaman Falls, the highest single drop of water in Australia, and Paluma Range National Park, which offers refreshing creeks and the opportunity to spot wildlife.
In addition to driving, you can travel between Cairns and Townsville by bus, train, or plane.
The bus takes approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes, the train takes about 6 hours, and flying is the fastest option, taking around 2 hours and 27 minutes.
