Brisbane, Australia → Melbourne, Australia · ✈ 2h 13min · 🚗 22h 20min
742 nautical miles · Time difference: Same timezone · Direction: southwest
The distance from Brisbane to Melbourne is 1,374 km (854 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 2h 13min.
The straight-line distance from Brisbane, Australia to Melbourne, Australia is approximately 1,374 kilometers (854 miles or 742 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Melbourne is located southwest of Brisbane. Brisbane is in Oceania, in the Queensland region of Australia, while Melbourne is in Oceania, in Victoria, Australia. Both cities are in Oceania.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 1,374 km | ~2h 13min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~1,786 km | ~22h 20min | Long journey, consider stops |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~1,649 km | ~13h 44min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Brisbane to Melbourne. For 1,374 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 1,786 km, fuel costs for driving from Brisbane to Melbourne are approximately $143–$268 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Brisbane sits at 27.4698°S, 153.0251°E, while Melbourne is located at 37.8136°S, 144.9631°E. The initial compass bearing from Brisbane to Melbourne is 211° (SSW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Brisbane heading roughly SSW. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 10.34° and the longitude difference is 8.06°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Brisbane and Melbourne is approximately 32.7060°S, 149.2282°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 687 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Brisbane and Melbourne share the same approximate time zone, so meetings, calls, and arrivals don't require any clock adjustment. This makes the route especially convenient for short business trips. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Brisbane is a major city in Australia with a population of approximately 2,560,720. Located in the Queensland region, it is an important hub in Oceania. Brisbane is a significant metropolitan area in Australia with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Brisbane
Melbourne is a notable city in Australia with a population of approximately 5,078,193. Situated in the Victoria region, it serves as a key destination in Oceania. Melbourne is one of Australia's largest cities, offering major airport hubs, extensive public transport, and a wide range of accommodation options.
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1,374 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
At 1,374 km, the Brisbane-Melbourne route is about 3.4% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 2h 13min.
The straight-line distance from Brisbane to Melbourne is approximately 1,374 kilometers (854 miles, 742 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 2h 13min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 22h 20min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Melbourne is approximately Same timezone compared to Brisbane.
The estimated road distance is approximately 1,786 km, which is about 30% longer than the 1,374 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.