From $1,975 (incl. GST, excl. fuel levy) for a running sedan depot-to-depot, 10–20 business days. Prices as at 14/10/2026.
Reliable, fully insured vehicle transport Melbourne to Cairns — from $1,975, 10–20 business day transit over roughly 2,870 km. Door-to-door or depot-to-depot.
Melbourne to Cairns runs the length of the eastern seaboard — about 2,870 km from our Craigieburn depot up the Hume and Newell network to Brisbane, then the full Bruce Highway north through Townsville to the Far North.
Unloading is at our Cairns depot in the southside industrial precinct, with door delivery across Cairns and the northern beaches. Winter escapees and tourism-season workers make this a busy lane from autumn onwards — book ahead in the May–July rush; quoted at 10–20 business days.
How the Melbourne to Cairns route runs
Craigieburn depot, Melbourne — check-in and loading
Northern network legs — Hume – Newell line to Brisbane by schedule
Bruce Highway north — Rockhampton – Mackay – Townsville
Cairns depot — unloaded for pickup or Cairns door delivery
Pickup — Melbourne Craigieburn depot: 4/54 Potter St, Craigieburn VIC 3064, in Melbourne's north just off the Hume Freeway.
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 Melbourne 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. Melbourne to Cairns typically runs 10–20 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 Melbourne to Cairns?
Car transport Melbourne to Cairns: From $1,975 (incl. GST, excl. fuel levy) for a running sedan depot-to-depot, 10–20 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 Melbourne to Cairns?
Typical transit time on the Melbourne to Cairns route is 10 to 20 business days from collection, covering roughly 2,870 km. You'll get an estimated delivery window when your booking is confirmed.
Do you offer door-to-door car transport Melbourne to Cairns?
Yes. We offer both door-to-door collection and delivery and a lower-cost depot-to-depot option on the Melbourne–Cairns route. You choose what suits you when you book.
Is my vehicle insured on the Melbourne 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.
When should I book Melbourne to Cairns?
Any time works, but the dry-season migration (May–July) fills northbound carriers fast — book a week or two ahead of your ideal pickup in that window to keep the 10–20 business day quote comfortable.
Where do I collect my car in Cairns?
At our Cairns depot, 13 Gosper Close, Cairns QLD 4870, in the southside industrial precinct — or have us deliver door-to-door across Cairns and the northern beaches.