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How far is Cairns from Melbourne?

The distance between Melbourne (Moorabbin Airport) and Cairns (Cairns Airport) is 1453 miles / 2338 kilometers / 1262 nautical miles.

The driving distance from Melbourne (MBW) to Cairns (CNS) is 1836 miles / 2955 kilometers, and travel time by car is about 37 hours 56 minutes.

Moorabbin Airport – Cairns Airport

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1453
Miles
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2338
Kilometers
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1262
Nautical miles

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Distance from Melbourne to Cairns

There are several ways to calculate the distance from Melbourne to Cairns. Here are two standard methods:

Vincenty's formula (applied above)
  • 1452.776 miles
  • 2338.016 kilometers
  • 1262.428 nautical miles

Vincenty's formula calculates the distance between latitude/longitude points on the earth's surface using an ellipsoidal model of the planet.

Haversine formula
  • 1457.719 miles
  • 2345.971 kilometers
  • 1266.723 nautical miles

The haversine formula calculates the distance between latitude/longitude points assuming a spherical earth (great-circle distance – the shortest distance between two points).

How long does it take to fly from Melbourne to Cairns?

The estimated flight time from Moorabbin Airport to Cairns Airport is 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Flight carbon footprint between Moorabbin Airport (MBW) and Cairns Airport (CNS)

On average, flying from Melbourne to Cairns generates about 177 kg of CO2 per passenger, and 177 kilograms equals 389 pounds (lbs). The figures are estimates and include only the CO2 generated by burning jet fuel.

Map of flight path and driving directions from Melbourne to Cairns

See the map of the shortest flight path between Moorabbin Airport (MBW) and Cairns Airport (CNS).

Airport information

Origin Moorabbin Airport
City: Melbourne
Country: Australia Flag of Australia
IATA Code: MBW
ICAO Code: YMMB
Coordinates: 37°58′32″S, 145°6′7″E
Destination Cairns Airport
City: Cairns
Country: Australia Flag of Australia
IATA Code: CNS
ICAO Code: YBCS
Coordinates: 16°53′8″S, 145°45′18″E