Flying from Mackay Airport (MKY) to Melbourne: what you need to know
The timezone in Melbourne is UTC+11. The city is one hour ahead of Mackay, where Mackay Airport is located.
Allow plenty of time to make your MKY to Melbourne flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're travelling during high season, so allow some extra breathing room. A good general rule for peak periods? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
MKY is about 3 kilometres from central Mackay. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 10 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 25 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Mackay Airport to Melbourne? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays near MKY:
71.86% of flights that depart Mackay Airport land at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Mackay Airport (MKY) to Melbourne
Rs37,370 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Mackay Airport to Melbourne flight. Return flight tickets start at Rs78,732. These fares may change based on demand.
To find cheap flights from MKY to Melbourne, book as early as you can. Airlines generally offer lower fares when flights are first released.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across every month when looking for your Mackay Airport to Melbourne ticket.
Snapping up a cheap flight from MKY to Melbourne is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Mackay Airport to Melbourne.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is around 24 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. If you're getting a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 30 minutes.
Getting there by public transport takes around 40 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel close to MEL if you're coming in on a late flight from Mackay Airport to Melbourne. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car and discover Melbourne and beyond with your own wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast and Sixt are leading providers to choose from here.
Reserving your ride from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks before your flight from MKY to Melbourne can help you get the best possible rate.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Once your flight from Mackay Airport to Melbourne has touched down, you can get to the city centre in around 50 minutes by car. Central Melbourne is roughly 56 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV).
Travelling by public transport will take around 2 hours 5 minutes.
Corio Bay Motel is one accommodation option within an easy drive of AVV. Drop your bags here after your MKY to Melbourne flight and then put up the 'Do not disturb' sign for some uninterrupted rest.
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with an Avalon Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental or yesaway car hire and be on your way in a flash.
Get first dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from AVV three weeks in advance often means better deals and a wider selection of vehicles.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Hop off your flight from Mackay Airport to Melbourne and make your way to your hotel or start taking in the sights right away. The centre of Melbourne is around 19 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and typically takes 25 minutes to reach by car.
The journey will take you roughly 1 hour 15 minutes using public transport.
If you don't want to travel to the centre, head for a hotel close to MEB. Settle in at one of these options after your MKY to Melbourne flight:
Begin your trip without stressing about how to reach your destination with an Essendon Airport rental car. Find your perfect set of wheels with reliable companies here like East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar.
Booking at least a few weeks in advance of your flight from Mackay Airport to Melbourne is always smart. Along with better deals, you'll get a better selection of vehicle makes and models at MEB.
Best time to go to Melbourne
Travel to Melbourne in high season if you want a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices are typically higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Mackay Airport to Melbourne during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
Before locking in your Mackay Airport to Melbourne flight ticket, think about the kind of weather you prefer. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC to 29ºC.
July has average temperatures of between 4ºC and 13ºC. Look for a cheap ticket from MKY to Melbourne around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Melbourne
After booking your flight from Mackay Airport to Melbourne, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Melbourne:
National Gallery of Victoria and Federation Square are a couple of major attractions to put on your Melbourne itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Eureka Skydeck 88.
Explore more of Australia
Canberra is just one of the many places in Australia waiting to be explored once you've seen Melbourne. Around 467 kilometres away to the north-east, top sights here include Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
Launceston is another essential stop in Australia and is around 451 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. No journey is complete without a visit to City Park, Tamar Island Wetlands and James Boag Brewery Experience.