Getting around Australia by Greyhound Bus
Travelling by Greyhound is a really easy way to travel Australia, with hop on hop off passes or kilometres passes available, these comfy coaches will get you from A to B and everywhere in between! The coaches run multiple times a day so you can travel as and when you please but, how long does it take to travel between the main locations?
We’ll be telling you where you can:
- Chill out on Magnetic Island
- Start your Whitsunday Tour
- Join your Fraser island tour
- AND exactly how long it will take between each hot spot
Before we begin, if you book a Greyhound bus pass with us it’s cheaper than going direct or waiting to book once you get there. Once we generate you a pass we’ll send you a unique booking code and pin number so you can manage your booking online to book specific in specific dates and select a departure time that suits you.
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Journey times
Cairns > Townsville
Journey time: around 5 hours
Things to note: When you arrive in Townsville, the coach will drop you off at the same place the ferry terminal is that will take you to Magnetic Island. Check out our unreal offer for Magnetic Island here.
Townsville > Airlie Beach
Journey time: 4.5 hours
Things to note: Airlie beach is where you will need to get off for all of the epic Whitsunday Island tours! Check out the unreal options here.
Airlie Beach > Agnes Water
Journey time: 9 hours (make this one an overnight journey)
Things to note: Agnes Water is an ideal place to break up this long stretch as it’s about half way down the east coast. We recommend FOR sure staying at Cool Bananas, it’s a great spot to kick back and relax in a hammock!
Agnes Water > Noosa
Journey time: 9 hours (again, make this an overnight journey)
Things to note: Noosa is where you’ll stop off for your Fraser Island trip! Heads up, some Fraser island trips depart from Rainbow Beach too, there is no difference in where you start, its purely based on the company and where they are based.
Noosa > Brisbane
Journey time: 2.5 hours
Things to note: You can chill out here after all of your jam packed tours in Fraser and Airlie.
with RatPack Travel?
Brisbane > Byron Bay
Journey time: Around 3 hours
Things to note: Wellccommmeee to the home of RatPack…
Byron Bay > Sydney
Journey time: 12 hours (make this one an overnight journey)
Things to note: Your last stop – make it a good one!
Ready to hit the road?
Some of the journeys between destinations can be long – you’ve gotta remember, Australia is hugeeee – so here are some of our tips to make the long journeys more manageable:
- Make use of the night buses, if you only have a limited time to travel! You can save yourself a buck on accommodation!
- Download podcasts or films before you travel (there is wifi on the coaches – but it can be a little slow).
- Get to the bus stop 15 mins early to get a decent seat (it’s first come first serve, so you want all the leg room you can get on a long journey).
- Spend the time researching your next destination and getting some sick activities planned.
Hit us up for the best Greyhound deals in the game!
From our RatPackers
Ratpack is the best. I made super late travel plans for driving from Sydney to Brisbane and they were able to to find me a van and under my budget! Request to have Greg as your agent, guys is a legend!
Amazing, fast, stress free service 😊
With thanks to Jenna from RatPack Travel, I have booked our self-drive NZ road trip. Jenna was very helpful and friendly. Just one more thing....GO PIES!
I never had so much fun booking an adventure. Jenna was an absolute treat to talk with and she found with some effort, exactly what we were looking for. We were half way around the world from you but it never felt that way Cheers!!
Reuben was a huge help in getting a campervan booked for both NZ and Aus. Process was incredibly easy for us, he did all the work. Would highly recommend
Ben was super friendly and helpful securing/ booking a campervan for my friends and I!! Made the process very easy and quick. Definitely recommend this company!
Just booked a 6 berth camper through RatPack Travel. Ben was great to deal with, answered all my queries and got me sorted for my upcoming trip with no hassle. 100% would recommend using RatPack Travel!
Jenna is class!
Jenna helped me sort a camper van for a great price for my trip to New Zealand stress free. She also give me plenty of information to help plan my trip. Couldn’t recommend Ratpack enough. Thanks again.
Mikey was so knowledgeable, helpful and friendly and helped me find the perfect camper for a trip to WA with my partner over Christmas! Literally within minutes after sending a message to these guys via Whatsapp Mikey rang me and was so friendly and instantly knew that I could trust him to find what we were looking for!! So brill how he constantly kept me informed of what was happening with research on his hand- sooo great to not have to be on the phone to different companies myself. I couldn't recommend Mikey and his team more highly. They know what people want and need they get it done!! Absolute legend Mikey!😀
RatPack were amazing and helped us find the perfect van for our very last minute roadtrip. Even after a first unexpected hiccup with a van company, Mikey went above and beyond to find us something in our budget and for our timeframe. Would recommend 100%!
Friendly staff who also works efficiently by taking me through all the options I have according to my preferences! Will definitely book with them in the future!
Jenna has been so helpful getting our tassie trip organized with unreal discounts!!
Ben! What can we say, we gave you the run around with dates and requirements and you pulled through for us on a last minute booking in NZ. Couldn’t have asked for better service! Quick, efficient, friendly. You’re a legend. Thanks Ben and thanks RatPack - NZ here we come! Alex, Andrew, Max, Henry and Will Carter :)
I got helped by Reuben. The first contact was late in the evening and the next morning Reuben got us a great camper. I got quick reaction and proper answers to my question.
