C$117 Cheap Flights from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MELA)

Compare Cairns to Melbourne flight deals

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

Book the best Melbourne fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from Cairns 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 C$237. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Melbourne.C$117 per passenger.Departing Sun., Apr. 19.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sun., Apr. 19, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$117, select.

Melbourne.C$118 per passenger.Departing Mon., May 4.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Mon., May 4, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$118, select.

Melbourne.C$119 per passenger.Departing Fri., Dec. 4.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Fri., Dec. 4, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$119, select.

Melbourne.C$119 per passenger.Departing Sat., Oct. 10.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sat., Oct. 10, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$119, select.

Melbourne.C$119 per passenger.Departing Sat., Nov. 7.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sat., Nov. 7, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$119, select.

Melbourne.C$119 per passenger.Departing Thu., Aug. 13.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Thu., Aug. 13, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$119, select.

Melbourne.C$119 per passenger.Departing Wed., Sep. 2.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Wed., Sep. 2, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$119, select.

Melbourne.C$119 per passenger.Departing Mon., Jun. 1.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Mon., Jun. 1, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$119, select.

Melbourne.C$119 per passenger.Departing Wed., Jul. 1.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Wed., Jul. 1, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$119, select.

Melbourne.C$153 per passenger.Departing Tue., Jan. 12.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Tue., Jan. 12, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$153, select.

Melbourne.C$153 per passenger.Departing Sat., Feb. 27.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sat., Feb. 27, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$153, select.

Melbourne.C$274 per passenger.Departing Sat., Mar. 20.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Cairns on Sat., Mar. 20, arriving in Melbourne Tullamarine.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$274, 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 April.

Apr.

May

Jun.

Jul.

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Which airlines fly 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	C$117
Cheapest month to fly	April
Average flight time	3 hrs, 28 mins
Most popular airline	IndiGo
Average flights per week	368

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 C$237. 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?

IndiGo, 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 184 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 April.

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 C$237.

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 Friday, April 17, 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.

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

Expect to be travelling for 3 hours 20 minutes. That's the average time for a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne.
Cairns Airport is located in Cairns. Operating on the UTC+11 timezone, Melbourne is 1 hour ahead of Cairns.
Cairns Airport (CNS) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the most popular route, with 70 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from CNS to MEL is with Virgin Australia at 20:25. Opt for the first departure with Jetstar at 06:45 if you want to fly out earlier.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your flight from CNS to Melbourne.
Flying during a popular month like July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
You can reserve a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne. Begin your journey at CNS and arrive at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
You'll have your pick of carriers offering direct flights from Cairns Airport to Melbourne. Head off on your trip with any of these:
Once you've booked your flight tickets from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, get your travel documents ready. A passport or visa isn't required since you're travelling within Australia. As long as you have another valid proof of identity, like a driver's licence or an ID card, you're ready to go.
Located around 6 kilometres from the centre of Cairns, CNS can be reached in approximately 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Searching for a handy hotel near CNS? If you've booked an early flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure lounge:

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

C$117 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Cairns Airport to Melbourne. Return flights start from C$237. These prices may change depending on availability and demand.
Book 7 months before you want to travel. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from CNS to Melbourne.
March is the cheapest month for tickets from Cairns Airport to Melbourne. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you time checking for cheap tickets from CNS to Melbourne every day.
Take advantage of the filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and journey duration.

Airports in Melbourne

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is around 24 kilometres from central Melbourne. With your own car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 28 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey of about 42 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near MEL if you're catching a late flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:

Avalon Airport (AVV)

Avalon Airport (AVV) is roughly 56 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. Once you've disembarked your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, it'll take you around 51 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
You can also travel by public transport, which will take approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes.
Little River Bed and Breakfast is a comfortable accommodation option within an easy drive of AVV. Make yourself at home here after your flight from CNS to Melbourne and then put up the 'Do not disturb' sign to get some rest.

Best time to go to Melbourne

July is the most popular month for flights from Cairns Airport to Melbourne. To steer clear of the crowds, head to Melbourne in April when it's quieter.
The warmest month in Melbourne is January, with the temperature ranging between 12ºC and 29ºC. Book your flights from Cairns Airport to Melbourne in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap flights from CNS to Melbourne in July if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC and 13ºC on average.

More about Melbourne

Start your Melbourne trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Federation Square, National Gallery of Victoria and Eureka Skydeck 88 are essential stops on your Melbourne itinerary.

Complete your Melbourne trip with a car rental

Finding you a cheap flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Melbourne and travel at your own pace. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.