Travelling by train between Brisbane and Cairns is much more scenic, but of course it takes two full days, whereas the flight is just a couple of hours. Long-distance train travel is a truly unique experience, and preferable if you are wanting relaxing holiday travel. You see much more of the countryside than if you fly, and the stewards on board the train do everything they can to make your journey comfortable. If you choose to travel by train, ensure you book a sleeper cabin, and don't try the economy method.
The road distance between Brisbane and Cairns is 1,681 km. Travel time, without breaks is an estimated 22 hours, meaning it is a trip best spread over three days, to allow for plenty of rest stops.
The road distance between Cairns and Townsville is about 350km, and takes four and a half hours to travel.
You cannot travel from Cairns to Darwin on the Ghan. You would have to travel from Cairns down to Brisbane, where you would then need to take another train to Sydney. At Sydney you could catch a train to Adelaide, and only at Adelaide could you catch the Ghan to Darwin. Total travel would be about five days.
From Cairns to Airlie Beach is a distance of 620km, and takes between 7 and 8 hours to drive.
From Brisbane CBD to Brighton, an outer suburb of Brisbane, is a distance of 24 km. Travel time is an estimated 40 minutes; longer in peak hour.
The travel time between Brisbane and Noosa is about 2 hours, depending on whether or not one is travelling during peak hour. It is a distance of around 137km.
It is 188 km between Brisbane and Ballina. Travel time averages 2 hours and 10 minutes.
The drive from Brisbane to Rockhampton is 615km (382 miles) and takes about eight and a half hours to travel.
The distance between Tamworth, NSW and Brisbane, Qld is 572km. Travel time is an estimated 6 hours 50 minutes.
Cairns QLD to Noosa Heads QLD 1,578 km - about 20 hours 46 mins
The distance between Roma, in Queensland's west, and Brisbane is 475 kilometres. This trip takes around six hours to travel.
Depending upon one's point of departure (as Brisbane is a very widespread city), it takes between 1.5 hours and 2 hours to travel the approximately 120km between the two centres.