Cairns to Uluru: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1112.9 miles 1791 km · straight line
1702.4 miles actual route 2739.8 km · driving distance
31h 5min estimated drive time
AUD 321 - AUD 395 estimated fuel cost
~2h 44min flight time
236° SW bearing direction

How far is Cairns from Uluru?

The distance from Cairns to Uluru is 1112.9 miles (1791 km) as the crow flies. Uluru is located SW of Cairns. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1702.4 miles, taking about 31h 5min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 44min. Both are located in Australia — Cairns in Queensland and Uluru in Northern Territory.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Cairns and Uluru. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Cairns to Uluru

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 31h 5min AUD 321 - AUD 395 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 44min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~37h 18min $136–$255* Budget
Train ~40h 25min $204–$596* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Cairns & Uluru

Quick Facts

Cairns
16.92°S, 145.78°E
Australia/Brisbane
0m elevation
Uluru
25.34°S, 131.04°E
Australia/Darwin
863m elevation
Explore more routes from Uluru

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 371 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 93 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 22.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM