Transport & bus services

Public bus and coach services

Local buses

TransLink's public bus service, Sunbus, operates throughout the city, running from the northern beaches to the southern suburbs via the Lake Street bus terminal (located between Shields and Aplin streets).

TransLink is a division of the Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads. Cairns Regional Council does not operate the public bus service or set bus schedules.

For the latest public transport information including bus routes, fares and bus service updates, visit the TransLink Cairns website, download the free MyTransLink app to your smartphone, or phone 13 12 30.

TransLink Cairns website

Long distance coaches

Long distance and interstate coaches operate from a central depot at the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns Esplanade.

Rail

The Spirit of Queensland travels the spectacular 1681km route between Cairns and Brisbane five times a week. Visit the Queensland Rail Travel website for fares, timetables and bookings.

Queensland Rail Travel website

Cairns International Airport

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, Bonza and Jetstar operate daily flights to and from cities all around Australia. Most international airlines service the Cairns International Airport.

Cairns International Airport website

Sea port

Ports North 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.

Ports North website