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Cairns International Airport
Cairns, Australia
Cairns International Airport
Tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Far North Queensland.
- ›Cairns Airport is one of only a handful of Australian airports with a dedicated international terminal capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380.
- ›The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 10 feet (3 metres) above sea level, making it susceptible to weather events during cyclone season.
- ›It is the eighth-busiest airport in Australia by passenger movements.
- ›The airport plays a vital role in medical evacuations for remote communities across Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait.
- ›A major terminal redevelopment and expansion project was completed in the 2010s to improve passenger amenity and capacity.
Cairns International Airport, opened in 1928 and significantly expanded over subsequent decades, serves as the primary aviation hub for Far North Queensland, Australia. It handles both domestic and international flights, connecting Cairns to major Australian cities as well as Asia-Pacific destinations. The airport plays a vital role in sustaining the region's tourism-driven economy, welcoming visitors bound for the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, and Cape York Peninsula.
- Domestic Terminal — Handles all domestic flights including services by Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Rex to cities across Australia.
- International Terminal — Processes international arrivals and departures with immigration, customs, and duty-free facilities for Asia-Pacific routes.
- Sun Palm Airport Coaches — scheduled shuttle service to the city centre and northern beaches
- Taxi ranks located outside both terminal buildings
- Ride-share services (Uber) available at designated pickup zones
- Car rental desks from Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, and Thrifty within the terminal precinct
- Local public bus (Sunbus) services connecting the airport to Cairns CBD
- Pullman Cairns International
- Hilton Cairns
- DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns
- Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
- Crystalbrook Flynn
Inside the terminals, travellers can find a mix of cafes, fast-food outlets, and bars offering Australian favourites and light meals. The international terminal features a dedicated lounge with refreshments for eligible passengers. For a wider dining experience, the Cairns Esplanade and city centre — just a short drive away — offer abundant seafood restaurants, tropical cuisine, and lively night markets.
- Book reef and rainforest tours in advance, especially during peak season from June to October when visitor numbers surge.
- The tropical wet season (November to April) brings heavy rainfall and potential flight delays — allow extra buffer time.
- Currency exchange and ATMs are available in both terminals, but city centre rates are often more competitive.
- Check luggage allowances carefully if connecting to smaller regional Queensland operators, as weight limits can differ significantly.
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Cairns Airport is an international airport in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It is the seventh busiest airport in Australia. The airport is located 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north of the Cairns central business district in the suburb of Aeroglen. The airport lies between Mount Whitfield to the west and Trinity Bay to the east.
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