Townsville to Brisbane removalists

Moving from Townsville to Brisbane, or the other way? It is a two-day drive, so the choice of truck, the delivery window and access at the Brisbane end all matter.

Distance and drive time

Townsville to Brisbane is about 1,332 km via the Bruce Highway, roughly 15 hours 17 minutes of driving without stops (australiatravelquestions.com). The route runs south through Ayr, Bowen, Proserpine, Mackay and Rockhampton, which is roughly the halfway point, then on through Gin Gin, Childers, Maryborough, Gympie and the Sunshine Coast (same source).

Most people driving their own car split the trip over two days. Removalists have their own driver hours and schedules, so ask how many days your goods will be on the road and where they stop overnight.

This guide is for moves starting or ending in Townsville. If you are moving north from Brisbane, the same planning applies; ask the removalist to confirm they cover your direction.

Dedicated truck or backload on this route

This is the longest of the common routes from Townsville, so the choice between a dedicated truck and a backload makes the biggest difference here.

Dedicated truck: your goods only, loaded and driven straight to Brisbane on agreed dates. The removalist has to cover the return trip, so it is the most expensive option, but the most predictable. Good for full family homes and tight lease dates.
Backload: your goods travel with other customers' loads on a truck already heading south. You pay for the cubic metres you use, so it can cost less, but you get a pickup and delivery window rather than fixed days, and goods may be transferred at a depot.

If your dates are flexible, tick "My dates are flexible" on the quote form. It tells the removalist you may suit a backload.

Transit time and delivery windows

We do not publish transit times for this route because they depend on the removalist's schedule, the load type and the season. Typical range, confirm with provider. When comparing quotes, ask each removalist for:

The pickup date or window.
The estimated delivery window in Brisbane, in writing.
What happens if delivery is late, and whether storage is charged if your new place is not ready.

Pack a suitcase with at least several days of clothes, medication, chargers and important documents to keep with you.

Wet season on the Bruce Highway

The Townsville wet season runs from November to April, with the heaviest monsoon rain from late December to early April (BoM). On a route this long, flooding anywhere along the highway can delay a truck. Before booking a wet season move, check QLDTraffic for current conditions, and ask the removalist how delays are handled and communicated. Avoid lease dates that leave no buffer at either end.

Access at the Brisbane end

Brisbane addresses often bring access issues that a Townsville house move does not, especially inner-city units:

Lifts: ask the building manager whether the lift needs to be booked and protected.
Loading docks: many apartment buildings have dock bookings and height limits.
Parking: some streets need a parking permit or have clearways. Check with the council or building.
Stairs and long carries: tell the removalist, as they add time and may need extra crew.

Give the removalist the details for both ends when you ask for a quote. Surprises on the day usually mean extra charges.

Getting accurate quotes

List large items and estimate boxes, or ask for a video or in-home survey.
Ask for a written, itemised quote stating the cubic metre volume, the price basis, and what is included (packing, materials, insurance, storage).
Ask what transit insurance is available. The Office of Fair Trading notes most removalists only insure their own vehicles (Queensland Government).
Try to avoid large upfront deposits (same source).
Make an inventory and photograph valuable items before pickup.

More on choosing between options is on the long distance removals from Townsville page. Mackay is on the way south, so if you are only going part of the way, see Townsville to Mackay removalists. Benchmarks are on the price guide, and the moving checklist covers the weeks before the move.