Cheap flights from Mackay to Cairns

Mackay
MKY
Cairns
CNS

Flight deals from Mackay to Cairns

Below you can see the best deals on flights Mackay — Cairns for upcoming dates. Direct and connecting flights from various airlines — compare prices and choose the right ticket.

The lowest price for the next 2 months is on 16 October, from $139.

Top 10 cheap flights from Mackay to Cairns

JQ
JQ
$ 162

Mackay — Cairns

20:15—09:05
7 Sep 2026
12 h 50 m
1 stop
JQ
JQ
$ 163

Mackay — Cairns

20:15—09:00
7 Sep 2026
12 h 45 m
1 stop
JQ
JQ
$ 163

Mackay — Cairns

20:15—09:00
7 Sep 2026
36 h 45 m
1 stop
JQ
VA
$ 167

Mackay — Cairns

20:15—08:40
7 Sep 2026
36 h 25 m
1 stop
JQ
VA
$ 167

Mackay — Cairns

20:15—23:20
7 Sep 2026
27 h 5 m
1 stop
JQ
JQ
$ 170

Mackay — Cairns

20:15—09:05
7 Sep 2026
36 h 50 m
1 stop
JQ
JQ
$ 171

Mackay — Cairns

20:15—21:00
14 Sep 2026
24 h 45 m
1 stop
JQ
JQ
$ 173

Mackay — Cairns

20:15—18:45
20 Sep 2026
46 h 30 m
1 stop
VA
VA
$ 178

Mackay — Cairns

18:30—23:20
28 Aug 2026
4 h 50 m
1 stop
VA
VA
$ 178

Mackay — Cairns

18:30—23:20
1 Sep 2026
4 h 50 m
1 stop

Prices were found in the last 72 hours and may change — check the exact price when you continue.

About the Mackay — Cairns flight

Looking for cheap flights from Mackay to Cairns? Compare fares from different airlines, check the flight schedule and travel time — and book your Mackay — Cairns ticket online at the best price.

The route has direct flights — around 2 flights per week, flights are operated by Qantas, a nonstop flight takes about 2 h 25 min, the distance between the cities is around 590 km.

Planning your trip? You may find our Cairns travel guide, how to get from the airport into town and Cairns weather forecast useful. To catch a low fare, use the low-price calendar and the monthly price chart on this page.

Facts about this route

from $138Min. price
NovemberCheapest
AugustPeak season
YesDirect flights
590 kmDistance
2 h 25 minTravel time
1Airlines
2 / wkFlights

Flight schedule from Mackay to Cairns

The table shows direct flights from Mackay to Cairns on the selected date. The flight takes approximately 2 h 25 min. Regular flights are operated by Qantas. Departures from Mackay Airport airports, arrivals at Cairns Airport.

For each flight, the following details are shown: departure time (local), arrival city and airport, flight number and airline, terminal or gate, and status. Click on a flight to open its details and go to ticket search. To view flights on a different day, change the date above the table.

Mon, 31 August
Any time
Last update: 25 Aug 2026

Flight ticket prices by day: Mackay — Cairns

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for Mackay — Cairns by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from $138 in November, and the most expensive are around $178 in August. If your travel dates are flexible, the calendar will help you find the best price for your preferred period. To view round-trip fares, switch to the "Round trip" tab above the calendar, select your departure date — and the right-hand calendar will highlight the lowest prices for return flights on each day.

 
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Prices by month

Average one-way fares from Mackay to Cairns by month. Tickets are usually cheapest in October (around $167) and priciest in July (about $247) — use the table and chart below to pick the best time to fly.

MonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevel
Jan$174lowMay$181lowSep$210medium
Feb$225highJun$239highOct$167low
Mar$225highJul$247highNov$189medium
Apr$203mediumAug$218mediumDec$239high

Some values are estimated based on seasonality.

When to fly

Weather in Cairns: it is warmest in February (up to 28 °C on average) and coolest in July (around 22 °C). The driest month is August.

Tickets are usually cheapest in November and most expensive in August. Compare prices and weather by month in the charts below to pick the best time to fly.

Temperature · Cairns

Dry and wet days · Cairns

Wind speed and direction · Cairns

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How to get the best deal on a Mackay — Cairns ticket

  • Book ahead: fares for Mackay — Cairns are usually lower 3–8 weeks before departure than at the last minute.
  • Play with your dates — Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday departures are often cheaper than Friday and Sunday.
  • Flights Mackay — Cairns operate on Mondays — keep that in mind when picking your travel dates.
  • The cheapest month to fly to Cairns is usually November — plan your trip around it if your dates are flexible.
  • Compare direct and connecting flights: nonstop is faster, while a connection is sometimes noticeably cheaper.
  • Watch the low-price calendar and the monthly price trend on this page — they make it easier to catch a good date.
  • Travelling light? Pick a cabin-baggage-only fare — tickets without checked luggage are noticeably cheaper.
  • Get to the airport in good time — about 2–3 hours before an international departure and roughly an hour before a domestic one.

Airlines

Flights on the Mackay — Cairns route are operated by 1 airline; Qantas runs the most flights (around 100% of all flights). Compare carriers, flight shares and schedules below.

  • QantasQF
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 33646M pax/year
    • Direct flight MKY → CNS1x/week
      Duration
      2h 25m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    100.0%Open →

Cities and airports on the Mackay — Cairns route

Flights Mackay — Cairns depart from Mackay Airport and arrive at Cairns Airport. Below are pages for the cities, countries, and airports on the route: airlines, schedules, and travel guides.

Departure

Mackay

MKY
Australia
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country Australia
Arrival

Cairns

CNS
Australia
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country Australia
Departure airports
Arrival airports

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Frequently asked questions about the Mackay — Cairns flight

How long is the flight from Mackay to Cairns?

A nonstop Mackay — Cairns flight takes about 2 h 25 min — the distance between the cities is around 590 km.

How far is it from Mackay to Cairns?

The distance from Mackay to Cairns is about 590 km, which a nonstop flight covers in around 2 h 25 min.

Are there direct flights from Mackay to Cairns?

Yes, there are nonstop flights Mackay — Cairns — around 2 flights per week.

Which airlines fly from Mackay to Cairns?

Airlines operating Mackay — Cairns include Qantas. See the full list with schedules in the "Airlines" section on this page.

Which airports do Mackay — Cairns flights use?

Flights from Mackay depart from Mackay Airport, and arrive at Cairns Airport. If a city has more than one airport, check which one your ticket uses before you travel.

How much is a ticket from Mackay to Cairns?

The price of a Mackay — Cairns ticket depends on your travel date, season and demand: it is usually cheapest to fly in November, and most expensive in August. Tickets typically cost between $138 and $178. Check the current lowest fare and low-price calendar on this page.

When is the best time to book flights Mackay — Cairns?

Flights Mackay — Cairns are usually cheaper when booked in advance — a few weeks before departure and away from peak dates; the most budget-friendly month to fly is November. Compare prices by month in the price trend chart on this page.

How can I find the cheapest flights from Mackay to Cairns?

To catch a low fare Mackay — Cairns, book a few weeks in advance, keep your dates flexible, and compare airlines and connecting options. The low-price calendar and monthly price chart on this page show the cheapest days and months at a glance: the most budget-friendly month to fly is usually November.

How early should I arrive at the airport?

For international flights, plan to be at the airport about 2–3 hours before departure, and around an hour before a domestic flight. Allow extra time during busy travel seasons and at large hubs, where check-in and security lines can be longer.

Where else you can fly from Mackay

See all
BrisbaneTownsvilleRockhampton

Where else you can fly from Cairns

See all
BrisbaneSydneyMelbourneTownsvilleAdelaideDarwinWeipaGold CoastDenpasarPort MoresbyPerthHorn IslandTokyoSingaporeYularaOsakaAucklandSunshine CoastHong KongChristchurchBamagaNadiProserpineLockhart RiverKowanyamaEdward RiverRockhamptonAurukun

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