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

Direct flights are often the most convenient option, saving you time and avoiding layovers. However, connecting flights can sometimes be more affordable, especially if you are willing to spend extra time traveling. Weigh your priorities between convenience and cost when making your choice.

Can flexible travel dates help on Sydney to Mackay flights?

Being flexible with your travel dates can significantly impact the price of your flight. Mid-week flights or those during off-peak seasons often have lower fares than weekend or holiday travel. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may lead to considerable savings.

What extra costs should I check before booking Sydney 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 to avoid surprises.

Flights From Sydney

To Mackay

Cheap Flights from Sydney to Mackay

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

Deals from

Sydney

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

Prices updated 2 days ago

444 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Aug 9, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Sydney to Mackay

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Sydney to Mackay

2026-10-21 – 2026-10-26
SYD - Mackay
76% AI deal score
A$555
A$374
Round trip
2026-09-04 – 2026-09-07
SYD - Mackay
75% AI deal score
A$581
A$391
Round trip
2026-09-06 – 2026-09-15
SYD - Mackay
71% AI deal score
A$525
A$399
Round trip
2026-09-06 – 2026-09-09
SYD - Mackay
73% AI deal score
A$581
A$399
Round trip
2026-09-18 – 2026-09-21
SYD - Mackay
73% AI deal score
A$577
A$399
Round trip
2026-09-06 – 2026-09-13
SYD - Mackay
72% AI deal score
A$556
A$399
Round trip
2026-09-18 – 2026-09-24
SYD - Mackay
72% AI deal score
A$552
A$399
Round trip
2026-09-06 – 2026-09-21
SYD - Mackay
50% AI deal score
A$479
A$399
Round trip
2026-09-18 – 2026-09-28
SYD - Mackay
66% AI deal score
A$504
A$399
Round trip
2026-09-18 – 2026-09-20
SYD - Mackay
73% AI deal score
A$577
A$399
Round trip

Sydney to Mackay: Overview

Insights for flights from Sydney to Mackay

A typical journey from Sydney to Mackay, including connections, takes about 5h 20m. This duration reflects the common travel experience on this route, where itineraries frequently involve layovers. Given the distance, planning for this total travel time is essential for a smooth trip.

For travelers seeking cheap flights from Sydney to Mackay, prices right now are above the typical level. Recent fares for this route typically range from $322–$489, with a median of $411. About 29% of recent fares were classified as a good price, indicating that while deals are available, they represent a smaller portion of the overall market. New deals appear almost daily, so consistent monitoring can be beneficial.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Sydney to Mackay? Historically, the most affordable months to travel are August, with a median fare of $89, and September, with a median fare of $94. July also offers competitive pricing, with a median of $132. These months present the best opportunities for securing lower fares.

Most itineraries for flights from Sydney to Mackay connect at least once. In fact, 0% of recent fares were non-stop, meaning all observed flights involved connections. For connecting itineraries, the typical number of stopovers is 2, which contributes to the overall journey time.

The distance between Sydney and Mackay is approximately 1434 kilometers. This classifies the route as a short-haul journey, meaning it is a relatively short flight within the same region.

How much is a round trip from Sydney to Mackay

Regular price: A$457 - A$582

Prices for flights from Sydney to Mackay are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Sydney to Mackay is AUD 457 to AUD 582. The current lowest deal is AUD 374 with Jetstar, for travel from Oct 21-Oct 26.

now A$374

Low A$457

High A$582

The cheapest time to fly from Sydney to Mackay

The cheapest month to fly from Sydney to Mackay is September, with a median price of $94. The most expensive month to fly is August, with a median price of $423. Prices are generally lower from January to September.

September

Cheapest

Flights from A$94

August

Most Expensive

Flights from A$423

Jan

Mar

Jul

Aug

Sep

Dec

Direct flights from Sydney to Mackay

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

Jetstar

Last-minute flights going from Sydney to Mackay

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SYD - Mackay

Sydney (SYD) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$954

A$500

One-way

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SYD - Mackay

Sydney (SYD) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$1,074

A$500

One-way

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SYD - Mackay

Sydney (SYD) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$1,081

A$501

One-way

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SYD - Mackay

Sydney (SYD) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$1,104

A$555

One-way

Tue, Aug 11

⌛ Last-Minute

SYD - Mackay

Sydney (SYD) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$864

A$467

One-way

Tue, Aug 11

⌛ Last-Minute

SYD - Mackay

Sydney (SYD) - Mackay (MKY)

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

A$928

A$467

One-way

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

3 nights

Aug 10 - Aug 13

A$1,081 → A$501

54%

4 nights

Aug 10 - Aug 14

A$1,074 → A$500

53%

1 night

Aug 11 - Aug 12

A$1,077 → A$523

51%

2 nights

Aug 10 - Aug 12

A$1,104 → A$555

50%

Popular Airports to fly from Sydney to Mackay

Sydney - Mackay route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares from Sydney to Mackay are above the typical level of $411.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in September for the best prices

Historically, September offers the lowest median price at $94 for Sydney to Mackay.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights take 5h 20m

Connecting flights from Sydney to Mackay typically have a median duration of 5 hours 20 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant on this route

There are no direct flights; connecting flights are dominant for this route.

🏆 Airline highlight

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines offers connecting flights

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines has 96 connecting deals for Sydney to Mackay.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently for this route

Deals for flights from Sydney to Mackay appear frequently, typically within 30 days.

Sydney main airports to depart from

Sydney (SYD)

Cheapest

Fly from Sydney Airport for direct routes to Mackay, offering a convenient departure point.

📍 ~9 km from city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~A$381

Mackay main airports to arrive at

Mackay (MKY)

Cheapest

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

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

💸 Flights from ~A$381

Airports nearby Mackay used as alternative

Whitsunday Coast (PPP)

Whitsunday Coast (PPP) is a practical mainland alternative, easily accessible via the Bruce Highway.

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

💸 Flights from ~A$231

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Mackay

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Comparing prices from various airlines and booking sites can also help you discover better deals. Looking into flights with layovers may sometimes present lower fares than direct routes.

Booking flights in advance, often several weeks or months before your intended departure, can sometimes result in lower prices. However, prices can fluctuate, so monitoring fares over time may help you identify a good booking window. Weekday travel can also sometimes be more economical than weekend travel.

Comparing flights to and from nearby airports can sometimes uncover different pricing options. While it may add to your travel time, the potential savings could make it a worthwhile consideration. Always factor in the cost and convenience of ground transportation to and from alternative airports.

Sydney to Mackay: Overview

Insights for flights from Sydney to Mackay

The distance between Sydney and Mackay is approximately 1434 kilometers. This classifies the route as a short-haul journey, meaning it is a relatively short flight within the same region.

How much is a round trip from Sydney to Mackay

Regular price: A$457 - A$582

Prices for flights from Sydney to Mackay are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Sydney to Mackay is AUD 457 to AUD 582. The current lowest deal is AUD 374 with Jetstar, for travel from Oct 21-Oct 26.

now A$374

Low A$457

High A$582

The cheapest time to fly from Sydney to Mackay

September

Cheapest

Flights from A$94

August

Most Expensive

Flights from A$423

Jan

Mar

Jul

Aug

Sep

Dec