Are direct flights from Darwin to Mackay always the best option?

Direct flights are often convenient, saving travel time and reducing the chance of missed connections. However, they are not always the cheapest option. Flights with one or more layovers can sometimes be more budget-friendly, depending on the route and airline.

Can flexible travel dates help on Darwin to Mackay flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can significantly impact flight prices. Flying on weekdays or during off-peak seasons usually offers more affordable fares. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may reveal substantial savings.

What extra costs should I check before booking Darwin to Mackay flights?

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees, seat selection charges, and in-flight services. Some airlines may also charge for printing boarding passes at the airport. Factor these into your total travel budget.

Flights From Darwin

To Mackay

Cheap Flights from Darwin to Mackay

Browse current best options from Darwin. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

Darwin

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Mackay

Prices updated today

462 airlines compared

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Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Sep 15, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Darwin to Mackay

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Darwin to Mackay

2026-11-14 – 2026-12-14
DRW - Mackay
46% AI deal score
A$584
A$666
Round trip
2026-11-14 – 2026-12-13
DRW - Mackay
46% AI deal score
A$584
A$666
Round trip
2027-01-21 – 2027-02-18
DRW - Mackay
46% AI deal score
A$611
A$669
Round trip
2027-03-04 – 2027-03-11
DRW - Mackay
49% AI deal score
A$681
A$669
Round trip
2027-03-04 – 2027-03-08
DRW - Mackay
49% AI deal score
A$680
A$669
Round trip
2026-12-06 – 2026-12-13
DRW - Mackay
68% AI deal score
A$777
A$670
Round trip
2026-12-06 – 2026-12-14
DRW - Mackay
67% AI deal score
A$753
A$670
Round trip
2027-02-28 – 2027-03-08
DRW - Mackay
46% AI deal score
A$622
A$672
Round trip
2027-01-19 – 2027-02-18
DRW - Mackay
46% AI deal score
A$611
A$673
Round trip
2027-03-05 – 2027-03-11
DRW - Mackay
47% AI deal score
A$680
A$683
Round trip

Darwin to Mackay: Overview

Insights for flights from Darwin to Mackay

For cheap flights from Darwin to Mackay, fares typically range from $570–$995, with a median of $722. Right now, current fares are below the typical level, and 1% of recent fares were classified as a good price. New deals appear almost daily, offering frequent opportunities to find competitive pricing.

A typical journey from Darwin to Mackay takes about 9h 5m, including connections. Given that most itineraries connect at least once, this duration accounts for the layovers involved in reaching your destination.

The distance between Darwin and Mackay spans 2175 kilometers, placing this route in the medium-haul category. This means you can expect a flight that is longer than a short regional hop but not a full transcontinental journey.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Darwin to Mackay? The most affordable months to travel are January and March, both with a median fare of $256. February also offers competitive pricing, with a median fare of $273. Planning your trip during these months could result in significant savings.

Most itineraries for this route connect at least once, with 0% of recent fares being non-stop. For connecting flights, the typical number of stopovers is 2, indicating that you should expect at least two segments to complete your journey.

How much is a round trip from Darwin to Mackay

Regular price: A$503 - A$846

Prices for flights from Darwin to Mackay are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Darwin to Mackay is AUD 503 to AUD 846. The current lowest deal is AUD 657 with Jetstar, for travel from Nov 9-Dec 9.

now A$657

Low A$503

High A$846

The cheapest time to fly from Darwin to Mackay

The cheapest month to fly from Darwin to Mackay is March, with a median price of $236. The most expensive month is July, with a median price of $937. Prices are generally lower from January to December.

March

Cheapest

Flights from A$236

July

Most Expensive

Flights from A$937

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Darwin to Mackay

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

Jetstar

Last-minute flights going from Darwin to Mackay

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DRW - Mackay

Darwin (DRW) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$1,094

A$752

One-way

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DRW - Mackay

Darwin (DRW) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$1,078

A$807

One-way

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DRW - Mackay

Darwin (DRW) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$1,143

A$876

One-way

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DRW - Mackay

Darwin (DRW) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$1,447

A$1,266

One-way

Wed, Sep 16

⌛ Last-Minute

DRW - Mackay

Darwin (DRW) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$1,455

A$1,339

One-way

Wed, Sep 23

⌛ Last-Minute

DRW - Mackay

Darwin (DRW) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$1,154

A$1,002

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Darwin to Mackay

11 nights

Sep 16 - Sep 27

A$1,094 → A$752

31%

12 nights

Sep 16 - Sep 28

A$1,078 → A$807

25%

9 nights

Sep 16 - Sep 25

A$1,143 → A$876

23%

1 night

Sep 27 - Sep 28

A$1,120 → A$930

17%

Popular Airports to fly from Darwin to Mackay

Darwin - Mackay route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares from Darwin to Mackay are below the typical level at $657.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in January for the best prices

Historically, January is the cheapest month to fly, with a median price of $256.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights take 9h 5m

The typical flight duration for connecting flights from Darwin to Mackay is 9h 5m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights only

There are no direct flights available; all routes include at least two stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

Jetstar offers a $657 deal

Jetstar has a recent deal for $657 from Darwin to Mackay.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are frequent

Deals on flights from Darwin to Mackay are frequent, appearing within a 30-day window.

Darwin main airports to depart from

Darwin International (DRW)

Cheapest

Darwin International Airport is a convenient option for flights from Darwin to Mackay.

📍 ~6 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~A$589

Mackay main airports to arrive at

Mackay (MKY)

Cheapest

Mackay Airport is a convenient arrival point for flights from Darwin to Mackay.

📍 ~3 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~A$587

Airports nearby Mackay used as alternative

Whitsunday Coast (PPP)

Cheapest

Whitsunday Coast (PPP) is a practical alternative, being the closest mainland option to Mackay.

📍 ~135 km from Mackay (approximately 1.5 to 2 hours drive)

💸 Flights from ~A$507

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Mackay

$1,481

Save $530

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Mackay

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Comparing prices across different airlines and booking sites can often reveal better deals. Looking into flights with layovers instead of direct routes may also present cheaper options.

Booking flights in advance, often several months out, can sometimes lead to lower prices. However, prices can fluctuate, so monitoring fares over time may help you identify a good booking window. Mid-week travel might also offer more competitive rates.

Comparing nearby airports can sometimes uncover different flight options or potentially lower fares. While not always necessary, it can be a useful strategy to broaden your search. Always consider the additional travel time and cost to reach a further airport.

Darwin to Mackay: Overview

Insights for flights from Darwin to Mackay

How much is a round trip from Darwin to Mackay

Regular price: A$503 - A$846

Prices for flights from Darwin to Mackay are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Darwin to Mackay is AUD 503 to AUD 846. The current lowest deal is AUD 657 with Jetstar, for travel from Nov 9-Dec 9.

now A$657

Low A$503

High A$846

The cheapest time to fly from Darwin to Mackay

March

Cheapest

Flights from A$236

July

Most Expensive

Flights from A$937

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec