Cairns domestic travel: What to do in the middle of Covid third wave

Travellers around Cairns have revealed what they wish they knew before they went to the airport as peak tourism season has led to high passenger numbers and long queues.

TRAVELLERS around Cairns have revealed what they wish they knew before they went to the airport as peak tourism season has led to high passenger numbers and long queues.

Despite the third Covid wave, Cairns Airport has been slammed with locals and visitors catching flights as new routes have kicked in.

Bonn Marie, from Manunda, travelled for the first time to Byron Bay since August 2021 and said she didn’t expect the airport to be as busy as it was.

The Cairns Domestic Airport is experiencing higher passenger numbers than in 2019, with travel hungry Australians keen for a post Covid holiday heading to Far North Queensland this winter. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It is actually quite busy I haven’t ever seen it like this,” she said.

“There are a couple of changes some for the good including more beverage stations. It was quite convenient.”

Sugar and Cane, Mangrove Jacks, Mr Greens and Saltwater Creep Taphouse recently opened expanding the volume of choice.

The third outbreak in Cairns is expected to peak in about three weeks, but that has not stopped people from travelling.

Many people at the airport did not have a mask in sight.

Cairns women Bonn Marie and Maddi Levers enjoy a drink before heading to Byron Bay. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Marie said she was glad she got to the airport with plenty of times despite queues.

“We have got masks and we are going to save them on the aeroplane, definitely just to be cautious,” she said.

“I have an elderly grandma that I live at home with, everyone I know has had two boosters.”

Lisa Cushen from Daylesford did not want to risk being complacent at the airport on her way back home.

Lisa Cushen and Susan Charlewood line up to check in for their flight. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We are a bit worried on the flights, we flew to Tasmania earlier in the year and I got it on the way back, that’s why we wear the mask now,” she said.

“But also with colds and flu because it’s rampant.”

But Ms Cushen said there were a few things she wished she knew before she landed in Cairns.

“The only negative when we arrived was trying to get transport getting out at the airport,” she said.

“We had to wait for a while before we got a bus, we noticed the variety of the pricing and the Uber prices were super high.”

Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker told the Cairns Post anyone travelling should pre-book car transfers where possible before they land in Cairns.

Susan Charlewood, from Daylesford, said when they landed it Cairns the airport wasn’t too busy.

“We didn’t realise we would have to wait in lines leaving Cairns,” she said.

“We were so complacent because it was quiet when we arrived but I am glad we left some time.”

Originally published as Cairns domestic travel: What to do in the middle of Covid third wave