Cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne

Compare Cairns to Melbourne flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Melbourne

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Flight deals from Cairns Airport to Melbourne

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from P10,207. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Melbourne.P5,157 per passenger.Departing Sat, 7 Nov.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sat, 7 Nov, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P5,157, select.

Melbourne.P5,157 per passenger.Departing Wed, 16 Sep.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Wed, 16 Sep, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P5,157, select.

Melbourne.P5,162 per passenger.Departing Sat, 2 May.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sat, 2 May, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P5,162, select.

Melbourne.P5,162 per passenger.Departing Sun, 30 Aug.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sun, 30 Aug, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P5,162, select.

Melbourne.P5,162 per passenger.Departing Sat, 4 Jul.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sat, 4 Jul, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P5,162, select.

Melbourne.P5,162 per passenger.Departing Mon, 1 Jun.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Mon, 1 Jun, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P5,162, select.

Melbourne.P5,162 per passenger.Departing Tue, 14 Apr.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Tue, 14 Apr, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P5,162, select.

Melbourne.P5,164 per passenger.Departing Tue, 6 Oct.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Tue, 6 Oct, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P5,164, select.

Melbourne.P5,164 per passenger.Departing Fri, 4 Dec.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Fri, 4 Dec, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P5,164, select.

Melbourne.P6,622 per passenger.Departing Wed, 13 Jan.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Wed, 13 Jan, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P6,622, select.

Melbourne.P6,622 per passenger.Departing Fri, 12 Feb.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Fri, 12 Feb, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P6,622, select.

Melbourne.P11,869 per passenger.Departing Tue, 16 Mar.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Cairns on Tue, 16 Mar, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From P11,869, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Melbourne

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Cairns to Melbourne flights are currently cheapest in September.

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Direct flights from Cairns to Melbourne

Alternative Cairns to Melbourne routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Cairns to Melbourne? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Cairns to Melbourne: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	P5,144
Cheapest month to fly	September
Average flight time	3 hrs, 28 mins
Most popular airline	Qatar Airways
Average flights per week	195

Finding cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne: Frequently asked questions

How many airports are there in Melbourne?

There are 3 airports in Melbourne: Melbourne Essendon, Melbourne Tullamarine and Melbourne Avalon.

How much are return flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

The best price we found for a return flight from Cairns to Melbourne is P10,207. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

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

3 hours and 28 minutes is the average flight time from Cairns to Melbourne.

Which airlines fly direct from Cairns to Melbourne?

Qatar Airways, Qantas and Jetstar fly direct from Cairns to Melbourne.

How many flights are there a week from Cairns to Melbourne?

As of April 2026, there are 195 flights per week flying from Cairns to Melbourne.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Cairns to Melbourne?

The cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Melbourne is usually May.

Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in Melbourne?

If you're flying from Cairns Airport, the cheapest airport near Melbourne is Melbourne Tullamarine – which is 18.8 km away from the centre of Melbourne. We've found flights into this airport from P10,207.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Cairns Airport to Melbourne on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Cairns Airport to Melbourne on Saturday, 16 May 2026.

Can I get a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne?

Yes – the average flight time is 3 hours and 28 minutes.

How can I get the best flight deal from Cairns Airport to Melbourne?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Melbourne but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to Melbourne?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Melbourne is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

What’s the weather like in Melbourne?

In April, the average temperature is usually around 15°C. February is typically the warmest month in Melbourne, when it usually averages around 26°C. You can expect the least rain in March. The coldest month is July, with temperatures averaging 5°C. The rainiest month is September.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Cairns Airport to Melbourne with?

Currently, Jetstar offers the cheapest flight tickets to Melbourne.

Travelling from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Melbourne: what you need to know

Take a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne and you'll be travelling for around 3 hours 25 minutes.
Cairns Airport is located in Cairns. Following the UTC+11 timezone, Melbourne is one hour ahead of Cairns.
With 51 flights a week between the two airports, Cairns Airport (CNS) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the busiest route. Jetstar operates the earliest flight at 07:00. If you'd like to make the most of your day before leaving, the last flight from CNS to MEL is with Jetstar at 21:30.
To avoid rushing for your CNS to Melbourne flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You can expect bigger queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
You can book a direct Cairns Airport to Melbourne ticket. Start your trip at CNS and touch down at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
You can choose from a variety of airlines that offer direct flights from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, such as:
The journey from central Cairns to CNS takes around 25 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 5 kilometers in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Searching for a hotel close to CNS? If you've booked an early flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
74% of flights departing from Cairns Airport land at their destination on time.

How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Melbourne

P5,144 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Cairns Airport to Melbourne flight. A round-trip ticket right now is P10,207. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Book ten months before your departure date. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from CNS to Melbourne.
Organise your trip for March. That's the best month for scoring an awesome deal on Cairns Airport to Melbourne tickets. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the cheapest price across each month.
There's no need to check back constantly to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from CNS to Melbourne.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'

Airports in Melbourne

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is around 24 kilometers from the centre of Melbourne. If you're opting for a ride-share or a taxi, the drive will take roughly 25 minutes.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 35 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne. Stay at one of these accommodation options near MEL instead:
Booking your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks ahead of your flight from CNS to Melbourne can help you secure the lowest rate.

Avalon Airport (AVV)

After your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne has arrived, you can reach the city centre in around 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Melbourne is roughly 56 kilometers from Avalon Airport (AVV).
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 20 minutes or so.
Corio Bay Motel is a comfortable accommodation option within an easy drive of AVV. Settle in here after your CNS to Melbourne flight and then hang the 'Do not disturb' sign to get some rest.
Call dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from AVV three weeks in advance often means more savings and a wider range of vehicles.

Essendon Airport (MEB)

Hop off your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne and head for your hotel or start exploring the attractions right away. Central Melbourne is about 11 kilometers from Essendon Airport (MEB).
Enjoy a quiet, low-key start to your break by choosing a hotel near MEB after your CNS to Melbourne flight. Unwind after a day of travel or just give yourself time to find your footing in a new place at:
Booking at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne is a smart way to go. Along with more affordable prices, you'll likely have a better variety of makes and models to choose from at MEB.

Best time to go to Melbourne

December is the quietest month for flights from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, while July is the busiest. Choose the best time to go to Melbourne based on whether you like a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Cairns Airport to Melbourne plane ticket, think about what kind of weather works for you. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC (52ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
July has average temperatures of between 3ºC (37ºF) and 12ºC (54ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from CNS to Melbourne around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.

More about Melbourne

When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Melbourne right here. Check out these options once you've locked in your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Melbourne's Gardens, Flinders Street Railway Station and Melbourne Park are highlights which should be on any good Melbourne itinerary.

Explore more of Australia

Melbourne will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Australia waiting to be explored. About 467 kilometers northeast of Melbourne, a trip to Canberra will keep you busy. Start with leading sights like National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Australian Democracy.
If there's time to check out another great destination in Australia, consider Launceston, about 451 kilometers southeast of Melbourne. Cataract Gorge Scenic Chairlift, Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk and Hollybank Mountain Bike Park are among its highlights.