Temporary traffic changes to support Ironman Cairns

Published: 8th June 2026. (Note: information was correct at date of publication but may have since been changed or superseded.)

Residents are advised that there will be changed traffic conditions and road closures for the IRONMAN Cairns event on Sunday 14 June.

Road closures on Sunday 14 June include:

  • The Captain Cook Highway will be closed between Veivers Road, Palm Cove and Port Douglas (to Beor St, Craiglie) from 5.30am – 5.30pm.  Access to Cairns during these times is via the Mulligan Highway, Mt Molloy, Mareeba, and Kuranda.  The public should allow at least 2.5 hours for this trip.
  • The Cairns Esplanade, from Spence St to Upward St, will be closed from 7am on Sunday 14 June to 1:30am on Monday 15 June.
  • Parts of Williams Esplanade and Cedar Rd, Palm Cove, will be closed from 4am to midday on Sunday 14 June.

Under changed traffic conditions, access to the Cairns Airport, Cairns beaches (Machans Beach, Holloways Beach, and Yorkeys Knob), Smithfield and the Northern beaches (Trinity Beach, Clifton Beach, and Palm Cove) will remain at all times however allow extra travel time for your journey as delays are expected.

For real time updates on the day please follow https://www.facebook.com/myPoliceGreaterCairns.

Riders will turn onto Reed Rd, before turning onto Smithfield Village Dr, continuing onto McGregor Rd, and then onto Dunne Rd. Changed traffic conditions will be in place in these areas from 4am to 7:30pm on Sunday 14 June.

The Smithfield Waste Transfer Station will be closed on Sunday 14 June.

For anyone catching a flight, allow additional time to get to the airport between the hours of 8.30am – 6.30pm on Sunday 14 June given the changed traffic conditions in Cairns.

Additional closures

  • Changed road conditions and partial closures on Lily St, between the Esplanade and Lake St from 7am to 7pm; and on Lake St, between Lily St and Airport Ave from 7am to 7pm on Sunday 14 June.
  • Restrictions will be in place in the Esplanade (Lagoon) carpark from Thursday 4th June – Thursday 18th June.
  • The EV fast charger located in the Esplanade (Lagoon) carpark will be unavailable from 4am on Friday 12 June until 4am Monday 15 June. Please see www.plugshare.com for alternate charging locations.
  • The Esplanade, between Spence and Upward Street will be closed on Saturday 13 June from 6.30am – 10.00am for IRONKIDS.
  • Muddy’s Playground is not affected by the IRONKIDS closures on Saturday 13 June.

For full details of all changed traffic conditions visit www.ironman.com/im-cairns/traffic-impact or phone 1300 761 384.

Last Updated: 8 June 2026

Latest News > All News

Temporary traffic changes to support Ironman Cairns

Residents are advised that there will be changed traffic conditions and road closures for the IRONMAN Cairns event on Sunday...

Sport & Recreation
8 June 2026

Cairns, let’s enjoy QLD Day together!

Cairns’ residents are invited to celebrate QLD Day on the Cairns Esplanade on Saturday, 6 June, to recognise the state’s...

Community & Lifestyle
4 June 2026

More than $200,000 for community events

A total of $203,427 will be invested through Round 18 of the Community Partnerships Grants, supporting 18 community events and...

Community & Lifestyle
29 May 2026