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Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Cairns

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JQ Return flights from $248

Dep.art Tue 11 AugRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 18 AugRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

JQShow more Flights

Dep.art Wed 19 AugRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

Dep.art Sat 22 AugRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

Dep.art Sun 23 AugRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

Dep.art Mon 24 AugRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 25 AugRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

Dep.art Sat 29 AugRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

Dep.art Mon 31 AugRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Sun 06 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Tue 08 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Wed 09 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Fri 11 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Sun 13 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Tue 15 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Wed 16 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Fri 18 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Sat 19 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Sun 20 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Mon 21 Sep^$248

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Tue 22 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Sun 06 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Tue 08 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Wed 09 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Fri 11 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Sun 13 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Fri 18 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Sat 19 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Sun 20 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Mon 21 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Tue 22 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Tue 15 Sep^$248

Dep.art Wed 02 SepRet.urn Wed 16 Sep^$248

Dep.art Fri 04 SepRet.urn Sun 06 Sep^$248

Dep.art Fri 04 SepRet.urn Tue 08 Sep^$248

JQ,VA Return flights from $265

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Sun 13 Dec^$265

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Mon 14 Dec^$280

JQ,VAShow more Flights

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$285

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Tue 08 Sep^$286

Dep.art Thu 05 NovRet.urn Sun 22 Nov^$312

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$321

Dep.art Wed 09 SepRet.urn Tue 13 Oct^$330

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sun 03 Jan^$337

Dep.art Mon 09 NovRet.urn Tue 01 Dec^$348

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Sun 18 Oct^$353

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Mon 19 Oct^$353

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Tue 01 Sep^$355

Dep.art Thu 17 SepRet.urn Sun 20 Sep^$366

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Sat 05 Sep^$370

Dep.art Tue 18 AugRet.urn Tue 25 Aug^$377

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Sat 15 Aug^$385

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Mon 17 Aug^$389

Dep.art Thu 30 JulRet.urn Thu 06 Aug^$424

Dep.art Wed 22 JulRet.urn Sun 26 Jul^$427

Dep.art Sat 25 JulRet.urn Sun 02 Aug^$451

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sat 02 Jan^$460

Dep.art Mon 20 JulRet.urn Mon 27 Jul^$484

Dep.art Fri 24 JulRet.urn Wed 29 Jul^$484

Dep.art Thu 24 SepRet.urn Tue 29 Sep^$519

VA Return flights from $335

Dep.art Thu 05 NovRet.urn Sun 22 Nov^$335

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sun 03 Jan^$357

VAShow more Flights

Dep.art Mon 09 NovRet.urn Tue 01 Dec^$381

Dep.art Thu 17 SepRet.urn Sun 20 Sep^$383

Dep.art Fri 24 JulRet.urn Wed 29 Jul^$384

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Sun 13 Dec^$386

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Mon 14 Dec^$399

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Sun 18 Oct^$402

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Mon 19 Oct^$402

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Tue 08 Sep^$416

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$422

Dep.art Wed 09 SepRet.urn Tue 13 Oct^$424

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$452

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Tue 01 Sep^$454

Dep.art Wed 22 JulRet.urn Sun 26 Jul^$457

Dep.art Tue 18 AugRet.urn Tue 25 Aug^$458

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sat 02 Jan^$466

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Sat 05 Sep^$479

Dep.art Sat 25 JulRet.urn Sun 02 Aug^$496

Dep.art Thu 30 JulRet.urn Thu 06 Aug^$521

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Sat 15 Aug^$529

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Mon 17 Aug^$532

Dep.art Thu 24 SepRet.urn Tue 29 Sep^$532

Dep.art Mon 20 JulRet.urn Mon 27 Jul^$535

JQ,QF Return flights from $405

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Sat 05 Sep^$405

Dep.art Wed 09 SepRet.urn Tue 13 Oct^$405

JQ,QFShow more Flights

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$405

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Tue 08 Sep^$406

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Mon 19 Oct^$407

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Sun 18 Oct^$409

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Sun 13 Dec^$409

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Mon 14 Dec^$410

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Mon 17 Aug^$411

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$412

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Tue 01 Sep^$412

Dep.art Tue 18 AugRet.urn Tue 25 Aug^$415

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Sat 15 Aug^$420

Dep.art Thu 17 SepRet.urn Sun 20 Sep^$420

Dep.art Thu 05 NovRet.urn Sun 22 Nov^$421

Dep.art Mon 09 NovRet.urn Tue 01 Dec^$435

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sat 02 Jan^$501

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sun 03 Jan^$501

Dep.art Sat 25 JulRet.urn Sun 02 Aug^$525

Dep.art Thu 30 JulRet.urn Thu 06 Aug^$531

Dep.art Fri 24 JulRet.urn Wed 29 Jul^$540

Dep.art Thu 24 SepRet.urn Tue 29 Sep^$545

Dep.art Mon 20 JulRet.urn Mon 27 Jul^$550

Dep.art Wed 22 JulRet.urn Sun 26 Jul^$580

QF,VA Return flights from $420

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sun 03 Jan^$420

Dep.art Thu 17 SepRet.urn Sun 20 Sep^$435

QF,VAShow more Flights

Dep.art Thu 05 NovRet.urn Sun 22 Nov^$456

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Mon 19 Oct^$460

Dep.art Mon 09 NovRet.urn Tue 01 Dec^$460

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$460

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Tue 08 Sep^$462

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Sun 13 Dec^$463

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Mon 14 Dec^$477

Dep.art Wed 09 SepRet.urn Tue 13 Oct^$492

Dep.art Tue 18 AugRet.urn Tue 25 Aug^$507

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$507

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Tue 01 Sep^$507

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Sat 05 Sep^$522

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Sun 18 Oct^$540

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sat 02 Jan^$545

Dep.art Thu 24 SepRet.urn Tue 29 Sep^$550

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Mon 17 Aug^$560

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Sat 15 Aug^$572

Dep.art Mon 20 JulRet.urn Mon 27 Jul^$596

Dep.art Sat 25 JulRet.urn Sun 02 Aug^$597

Dep.art Thu 30 JulRet.urn Thu 06 Aug^$598

Dep.art Fri 24 JulRet.urn Wed 29 Jul^$600

Dep.art Wed 22 JulRet.urn Sun 26 Jul^$629

QF Return flights from $546

Dep.art Wed 09 SepRet.urn Tue 13 Oct^$546

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Sat 05 Sep^$547

QFShow more Flights

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Tue 08 Sep^$549

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$549

Dep.art Tue 18 AugRet.urn Tue 25 Aug^$550

Dep.art Thu 17 SepRet.urn Sun 20 Sep^$558

Dep.art Thu 05 NovRet.urn Sun 22 Nov^$559

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sat 02 Jan^$559

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sun 03 Jan^$559

Dep.art Thu 24 SepRet.urn Tue 29 Sep^$561

Dep.art Mon 09 NovRet.urn Tue 01 Dec^$561

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Wed 02 Sep^$581

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Tue 01 Sep^$582

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Mon 17 Aug^$582

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Sun 13 Dec^$583

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Mon 14 Dec^$593

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Sat 15 Aug^$599

Dep.art Thu 30 JulRet.urn Thu 06 Aug^$612

Dep.art Sat 25 JulRet.urn Sun 02 Aug^$661

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Mon 19 Oct^$678

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Sun 18 Oct^$680

Dep.art Wed 22 JulRet.urn Sun 26 Jul^$709

Dep.art Mon 20 JulRet.urn Mon 27 Jul^$823

Dep.art Fri 24 JulRet.urn Wed 29 Jul^$848

JQ,QF,VA Return flights from $549

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Mon 19 Oct^$549

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Sun 13 Dec^$551

JQ,QF,VAShow more Flights

Dep.art Tue 01 SepRet.urn Sat 05 Sep^$593

Dep.art Mon 09 NovRet.urn Tue 01 Dec^$598

Dep.art Sat 03 OctRet.urn Sun 18 Oct^$611

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Mon 14 Dec^$649

Dep.art Wed 09 SepRet.urn Tue 13 Oct^$668

Dep.art Mon 20 JulRet.urn Mon 27 Jul^$690

Dep.art Thu 30 JulRet.urn Thu 06 Aug^$735

Dep.art Mon 10 AugRet.urn Sat 15 Aug^$769

Dep.art Sat 25 JulRet.urn Sun 02 Aug^$857

Dep.art Wed 30 DecRet.urn Sun 03 Jan^$968

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$997

Dep.art Fri 24 JulRet.urn Wed 29 Jul^$1,486

PX,VA Return flights from $977

Dep.art Thu 17 SepRet.urn Sun 20 Sep^$977

Dep.art Thu 24 SepRet.urn Tue 29 Sep^$1,108

PX,VAShow more Flights

Dep.art Thu 05 NovRet.urn Sun 22 Nov^$1,165

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$1,496

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Tue 01 Sep^$1,508

Dep.art Tue 18 AugRet.urn Tue 25 Aug^$1,508

JQ,PX Return flights from $1,041

Dep.art Thu 17 SepRet.urn Sun 20 Sep^$1,041

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$1,088

JQ,PXShow more Flights

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Tue 08 Sep^$1,114

Dep.art Thu 05 NovRet.urn Sun 22 Nov^$1,195

Dep.art Thu 24 SepRet.urn Tue 29 Sep^$1,232

JQ,PX,VA Return flights from $1,115

Dep.art Tue 18 AugRet.urn Tue 25 Aug^$1,115

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Tue 01 Sep^$1,134

JQ,PX,VAShow more Flights

Dep.art Thu 05 NovRet.urn Sun 22 Nov^$1,167

FJ,JQ Return flights from $1,135

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Fri 04 Sep^$1,135

Dep.art Sun 30 AugRet.urn Tue 08 Sep^$1,161

FJ,JQShow more Flights

Dep.art Fri 24 JulRet.urn Wed 29 Jul^$1,166

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Mon 14 Dec^$1,875

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Sun 13 Dec^$2,067

PX,QF,VA Return flights from $1,173

Dep.art Tue 18 AugRet.urn Tue 25 Aug^$1,173

Dep.art Tue 28 JulRet.urn Tue 01 Sep^$1,265

PX,QF,VAShow more Flights

Dep.art Thu 05 NovRet.urn Sun 22 Nov^$1,355

FJ,VA Return flights from $1,185

Dep.art Fri 24 JulRet.urn Wed 29 Jul^$1,185

JQ,NZ Return flights from $1,208

Dep.art Mon 09 NovRet.urn Tue 01 Dec^$1,208

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Mon 14 Dec^$1,270

JQ,NZShow more Flights

Dep.art Mon 20 JulRet.urn Mon 27 Jul^$1,497

NZ,VA Return flights from $1,229

Dep.art Mon 09 NovRet.urn Tue 01 Dec^$1,229

Dep.art Mon 20 JulRet.urn Mon 27 Jul^$1,456

NZ,VAShow more Flights

Dep.art Sat 28 NovRet.urn Mon 14 Dec^$1,499

Prices are from searches made in the last 24 hours and current prices may differ.

Do you need to catch a flight to Melbourne? Check out our domestic flights to Melbourne. If Melbourne is not your closest airport, then here are all our flights to Cairns from Australia. Maybe a different destination? Here are all the flights from Melbourne

Cheapest Time of Year to Fly from Melbourne to Cairns

Return fares from Melbourne to Cairns by month, based on the cheapest return airfares found for each month.

Aug 2026

$192

Sep 2026

$225

Oct 2026

$244

Nov 2026

$232

Dec 2026

$231

Jan 2027

$397

Apr 2027

$326

The cheapest month to fly to Cairns is August 2026, with return fares from $192 — 52% cheaper than the most expensive month (January 2027, from $397).

When Should You Fly to Cairns?

Based on the fares we've tracked, August is typically the cheapest month to fly to Cairns, with return fares from $192. January is the most expensive month, with the cheapest return fares around $397 as school holidays and the Christmas peak push prices up.

Across the year, return fares to Cairns average around $264. If you can travel in the off-peak months of August, September and December, you'll generally pay up to 27% less than the yearly average.

Cheapest Melbourne to Cairns Return Prices

These are the cheapest prices for Melbourne to Cairns return airfares.

August 2026

$192

September 2026

$225

October 2026

$244

November 2026

$232

December 2026

$231

January 2027

$397

April 2027

$326

Average Melbourne to Cairns Return Prices

These are the average prices for Melbourne to Cairns return airfares.

August 2026

$511

September 2026

$482

October 2026

$434

November 2026

$418

December 2026

$438

January 2027

$473

March 2027

$415

April 2027

$469

Frequently Asked Questions about flying from Melbourne to Cairns

When is the cheapest time to travel from Melbourne to Cairns?

The cheapest month to travel is typically August.

How much do return flights from Melbourne to Cairns cost?

The best price we found for a return flight from Melbourne to Cairns is $248.

What is the cheapest date to fly from Melbourne to Cairns?

Currently, the cheapest date for a return flight from Melbourne to Cairns is 11 August 2026.

What is the cheapest airline that flys from Melbourne to Cairns?

Currently, the cheapest airline that flys from Melbourne to Cairns is Jetstar.

Which airlines fly direct from Melbourne to Cairns?

Virgin Australia flies direct.

How long does a direct flight from Melbourne to Cairns take?

We were not able to find any direct flights to Cairns.

What is the IATA airport code for Cairns?

The IATA code for Cairns is CNS. It is located in Australia at coordinates -16.87469, 145.7537.

When should you book flights to Cairns?

From our data, you should book flights to Cairns 30 days out.

How I Want That Flight can help you

What's the benefit of using I Want That Flight for my Melbourne to Cairns flight?

Think of us as your personal shortcut to a great deal. Instead of you opening fifty different tabs, we instantly cross-check rates across heaps of airlines and booking sites to score you the sweet spot on pricing. Millions of holidaymakers count on us every year to get them airborne, so you're running with a pretty savvy crowd.

Can you sort me out with direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

100%. As soon as the page finishes loading your options, hit the "Direct" filter. The layovers will vanish, leaving you with only the non-stop routes.

How does I Want That Flight find me the best Melbourne to Cairns flights?

Once you punch your details into our search tool, we unlock all kinds of handy tricks to map out your journey. We’ll map out the most budget-friendly calendar dates and takeoff slots, and let you slice and dice the data until you pinpoint the exact itinerary that works for you.

I'm still in the planning phase. Can you ping me if Melbourne to Cairns fares drop?

No worries at all. Just kick off a quick search, drop your email into our price tracker, and we’ll send a heads-up straight to your inbox the moment the price drops.