Cairns Regional Council

About Our Region

Transport

Cairns is serviced by a modern railway station (the Tilt Train and Sunlander operate between Brisbane and Cairns), coach transit station, a large rail freight terminal, a privately owned public bus transport system subsidised by the State Government and a taxi company with a fleet of 140 vehicles.

Cairns International Airport is the nation's sixth busiest in terms of combined international and domestic passenger movements.  It handles around 130,000 aircraft movements per annum, and brings in over 1 million visitors each year.  Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar operate daily flights to and from cities all around Australia.  Most international airlines service the Cairns International Airport.

Cairns Seaport is the closest port to the Great Barrier Reef and is located on Trinity Inlet. This small, multi-purpose regional port is becoming increasingly popular with tourist craft, private craft, and as an international cruise ship destination, as well as an R&R destination for visiting Naval ships. 

The Cityport development is a world-class waterfront facility that shall strengthen Cairns' reputation as the pre-eminent gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.  The first full stage of the project, Cityport North, was completed in 2003 and features the Reef Fleet Facilities, expansion of Cairns Marlin Marina, creation of Reef Fleet Plaza and boardwalks and boulevard linking the Esplanade to Trinity Inlet.  Work on Cityport South commenced in March 2009.