From $1,210 (incl. GST, excl. fuel levy) for a running sedan depot-to-depot, 7–15 business days. Prices as at 14/10/2026.
Reliable, fully insured vehicle transport Brisbane to Cairns — from $1,210, 7–15 business day transit over roughly 1,700 km. Door-to-door or depot-to-depot.
Brisbane to Cairns heads north up the Bruce Highway — roughly 1,700 km from the Stapylton yard through Gympie, Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville to the Far North. Every dry season this lane fills with tourism operators, seasonal workers and families heading for the tropics.
Unloading is at our Cairns depot in the southside industrial precinct, with door-to-door delivery across Cairns and the northern beaches. From $1,210 depot-to-depot with a 7–15 business day window — often cheaper than the fuel and accommodation of a four-day drive north.
How the Brisbane to Cairns route runs
Stapylton depot, Brisbane — check-in and loading
Bruce Highway north — Gympie – Rockhampton legs
Mackay – Townsville — the long central-coast stretch
Cairns depot — unloaded for pickup or Cairns door delivery
Pickup — Brisbane Stapylton depot: 6 Elliot Drive, Stapylton QLD 4207, on the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, about 35 minutes south of the Brisbane CBD.
Delivery — Cairns depot: 13 Gosper Close, Cairns QLD 4870, in Cairns' southside industrial precinct, an easy run from the Bruce Highway.
Carrier's transit insurance: your vehicle is covered from the moment we collect it until it is signed for at the other end.
Door-to-door or depot-to-depot: we collect and deliver to your address where truck access allows, or you save by using our depots at each end.
Written condition report: photographed and signed at pickup, and checked against the vehicle again at delivery, so any dispute is settled by evidence rather than memory.
Running or not: non-runners can be moved with the right equipment — tell us when you book so we send it.
SMS and email updates: you are told when the vehicle is collected, when it is in transit and when it is ready.
How car transport Brisbane to Cairns works
Quote: enter the pickup and delivery suburbs and the vehicle make and model. The price comes back in about a minute, with no obligation and no phone call needed.
Book and schedule: we confirm a collection window. Brisbane to Cairns typically runs 7–15 business days once the vehicle is on a truck.
Collection and condition report: the driver photographs the vehicle from every angle and records existing marks before it is loaded.
In transit: the vehicle travels on a purpose-built carrier, secured by the wheels rather than the chassis so the suspension is not strained.
Delivery and sign-off: you check the vehicle against the same condition report before signing. Anything that does not match is raised then and there.
What the price depends on
Two cars on the same route can be quoted differently, and it is worth knowing why:
Size: a dual-cab ute or seven-seat SUV takes more deck space than a hatchback, and space is what you are buying.
Whether it runs: a non-runner has to be winched, which needs particular equipment and more time.
Door-to-door or depot: depot-to-depot is consistently cheaper because it keeps the truck on main routes.
Timing: flexible dates are cheaper than a fixed day, because we can fill a truck efficiently.
Modifications: lift kits, roof racks, spoilers and low body kits change the height or clearance and can change the equipment needed.
Preparing your car for transport
Ten minutes of preparation prevents most of the problems we see:
Remove personal belongings — transit insurance covers the vehicle, not loose items inside it.
Leave about a quarter tank of fuel: enough to load and unload, not enough to add weight.
Take a set of your own photos on the day, so you have your own record alongside ours.
Retract the aerial, fold the mirrors and remove roof racks, bike racks and toll tags.
Disable any alarm or immobiliser that could trigger in transit, and tell the driver how it works.
Check for leaks and note existing damage — declaring a scratch up front is far easier than arguing about it later.
Provide one working key at collection and make sure someone can receive the vehicle at the other end.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transport a car from Brisbane to Cairns?
Car transport Brisbane to Cairns: From $1,210 (incl. GST, excl. fuel levy) for a running sedan depot-to-depot, 7–15 business days. Prices as at 14/10/2026. The final price depends on your vehicle size, whether it's running, and whether you choose door-to-door or depot-to-depot. Get an exact, no-obligation price using our instant online quote.
How long does it take to transport a car Brisbane to Cairns?
Typical transit time on the Brisbane to Cairns route is 7 to 15 business days from collection, covering roughly 1,700 km. You'll get an estimated delivery window when your booking is confirmed.
Do you offer door-to-door car transport Brisbane to Cairns?
Yes. We offer both door-to-door collection and delivery and a lower-cost depot-to-depot option on the Brisbane–Cairns route. You choose what suits you when you book.
Is my vehicle insured on the Brisbane to Cairns trip?
Yes — every vehicle is covered by carrier's transit insurance from pickup to delivery. We recommend photographing your vehicle's condition before handover, which you can upload when you book.
Where do I collect my car in Cairns?
At our Cairns depot, 13 Gosper Close, Cairns QLD 4870 — in the southside industrial precinct, a few minutes off the Bruce Highway. Door delivery across Cairns and the northern beaches is available at booking.
Is transporting to Cairns cheaper than driving it up?
Usually — the Brisbane–Cairns drive is around 1,700 km and takes most people three to four days with fuel and accommodation. From $1,210 depot-to-depot, transport saves the wear, the time off work and the one-way logistics.