Unicorn Car Transport moves cars from Melbourne to Brisbane, door to door or depot to depot. The two cities are about 1,700 km apart by road, mostly on the inland Newell Highway, so a professional car carrier saves you the long drive, the fuel and the wear on your car. Every Unicorn quote includes GST, fuel levies and tolls, so there are no surprise add-ons. Get a free quote for an exact price and pickup window.
Melbourne to Brisbane car transport at a glance
| Detail | Melbourne to Brisbane |
|---|---|
| Route | Melbourne, VIC → Brisbane, QLD, about 1,700 km by road, mainly via the Newell Highway |
| Service options | Door-to-door, depot-to-depot, door-to-depot, depot-to-door |
| What’s in the quote | GST, fuel levies and tolls |
| Condition check | Pre-transport inspection with photos |
| Price and pickup window | Get a free quote for an exact price and pickup window |
What affects the price of car transport from Melbourne to Brisbane?
Every quote is based on your actual move. The main factors are:
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Vehicle size and weight. A large 4WD or van takes up more space on a carrier than a small hatchback.
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Door-to-door or depot. It depends whether we collect and deliver at your addresses, or you drop off and pick up.
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Vehicle condition. Non-running or modified vehicles may need different loading equipment.
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Timing. Demand rises in the weeks before Christmas and over the summer school holidays.
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Flexibility. A wider pickup window gives more scheduling options.
Get a free quote for an exact price and pickup window. The price you’re quoted includes GST, fuel levies and tolls.
How long does it take?
Melbourne to Brisbane is one of the longer east-coast runs, so plan around a pickup window rather than a fixed day. Transit time depends on the service you choose, how carrier loads are scheduled and the time of year. The drive is only part of it: carriers also plan pickups, consolidate loads and follow heavy-vehicle driving-hour rules. When you compare options, ask for both the pickup window and the delivery window, not just the time on the road.
Get a free quote for an exact price and pickup window.
Moving in December? See our Christmas car transport cut-off dates so you book early enough.
Door-to-door or depot: which suits you?
| Question | Door-to-door | Depot-to-depot |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup | From your Melbourne address | You drop the car at a depot |
| Delivery | To your Brisbane address | You collect the car from a depot |
| Suits | Busy movers, dealer purchases, anyone without a second driver | People with flexible schedules who are happy to handle drop-off and collection |
| Worth checking | Truck access to your street. If it’s narrow, a nearby meeting point may be needed. | Opening hours and how long a car can be held before collection |
You can also combine the two:
Ask us to quote more than one option so you can compare.
Comparing carrier types? Read open vs enclosed car transport. Moving a prestige or classic car? See our prestige car transport Melbourne to Brisbane guide. Heading to the Gold Coast instead? Read car transport from Melbourne to the Gold Coast.
Moving to Queensland? Registration and the train question
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Registration. The Queensland Government says that if you move to Queensland and your interstate-registered vehicle is kept at a Queensland address, you must register it in Queensland within 14 days, and you may be fined if you don’t. You need a current Queensland safety certificate from an approved inspection station, and you hand in your interstate number plates at a transport and motoring customer service centre. To claim a refund of any unused Victorian registration, contact VicRoads. Check the Queensland Government website for the current requirements.
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Can the car go by train? No. Journey Beyond no longer offers Motorail, and the NSW TrainLink XPT trains that link Sydney with Melbourne and Brisbane carry passengers only. Road transport is how cars move between the two cities.
How it works
- Request a quote. Give us your pickup and delivery suburbs, the vehicle type, make and model, its condition, and your preferred dates.
- Book. We confirm the service, price and pickup window.
- Prepare the car (see below).
- Pickup inspection. The car’s condition is checked and photographed before transport.
- Transport from Melbourne to Brisbane.
- Delivery. Check the car against the pickup condition report when it arrives.
Preparing your car
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Clean it inside and out. This makes existing marks easy to see at inspection.
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Take your own dated photos of every side, the interior and the odometer.
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Remove personal items and valuables. See can you leave personal items in your car?
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Mention low clearance or modifications on the quote form. Many carriers set a minimum ground clearance (often around 15 cm) for standard loading.
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Turn off alarms and make sure the battery is charged.
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Arrange someone to hand over and receive the car if you can’t be there.
Moving in wet weather? Our guide to preparing a vehicle for rainy-season transport has extra tips. Questions about cover? Read interstate car transport insurance explained before you book.
Melbourne to Brisbane car transport FAQs
How much does it cost to transport a car from Melbourne to Brisbane?
It depends on your vehicle, its condition, your pickup and delivery suburbs, door-to-door or depot service, and your timing. Get a free quote for an exact price and pickup window. Unicorn quotes include GST, fuel levies and tolls.
How long does car transport from Melbourne to Brisbane take?
It depends on the service you choose, how carrier loads are scheduled and the time of year, with the weeks before Christmas the busiest. Get a free quote for an exact price and pickup window.
What’s the difference between door-to-door and depot car transport?
Door-to-door means your car is collected from your Melbourne address and delivered to your Brisbane address. With depot transport, you drop the car off and collect it yourself. You can also combine the two, such as door to depot or depot to door.
Can I put my car on a train from Melbourne to Brisbane?
No. Journey Beyond no longer offers Motorail on any of its trains, and the NSW TrainLink XPT trains that link Sydney with Melbourne and with Brisbane carry passengers only. Road transport is the way to move a car between the two cities.
Do I need to register my car in Queensland after moving from Melbourne?
Yes. The Queensland Government says that if you move to Queensland and your interstate-registered vehicle is kept at a Queensland address, you must register it in Queensland within 14 days. You need a current Queensland safety certificate, and you hand in your Victorian number plates at a transport and motoring customer service centre. Check the Queensland Government website for the current steps.
Should I leave personal items in my car?
It’s best to remove them. Loose items can move in transit, and some carriers don’t allow them at all. Ask when you book if you need to leave anything in the car.
Can you transport a car that doesn’t run?
Non-running vehicles can be moved, subject to transport type. Mention the car’s condition on the quote form so we can plan the right loading equipment.
How far is Melbourne to Brisbane by road?
About 1,700 km by road on the inland route via the Newell Highway, the main freight route between the two cities. The exact distance depends on your start and end points.
Moving the other way?
Read our guide to prestige car transport from Brisbane to Melbourne, browse our Melbourne and Brisbane car transport pages, or see all car transport routes, including Sydney to Melbourne.
Get your Melbourne to Brisbane quote
Tell us your suburbs, your vehicle and when you need it moved. Get a free quote for an exact price and pickup window or call 0432 582 959.