Airport review: Cairns T2 Domestic Terminal

Cairns Terminal 2 has well-designed layout, which allows for good passenger flow.

THE AIRPORT

Cairns T2 Domestic Terminal

THE FLIGHT

Qantas flight QF 927 to Sydney, economy class

THE ARRIVAL

It's easy to stay relaxed until the last minute; at barely seven kilometres from Cairns city, the trip takes about 15 minutes. Options include taxis, ride share, shuttle bus and private transfers or limousine services. I have a rental car which I drop off at the return car park, a short walk to departures.

THE LOOK

Thanks to a $55 million terminal upgrade and expansion which took 18 months and was completed in late 2020, the bright and breezy terminal instantly connects visitors with Tropical North Queensland. From the larger-than-life sculptures of sea creatures (maori wrasse, clownfish, sea turtle and reef shark) spitting out luggage on the baggage carousels to the cinematic-sized posters of the reef and rainforest, there's no mistaking you are in World Heritage-listed territory. As a finishing touch to the refurbished terminal, the airport has been working with traditional owners to introduce Indigenous art and culture. The first of the new pieces will be several "ghost nets" from Pormpuraaw in Cape York.

CHECK-IN

Due to a last-minute change of flights and airlines, caused by high winds in Sydney, I don't have time (or the headspace) to check-in online. On arrival I skip the self-service kiosks and head straight to the manned, bag-drop counter. Thanks to the lack of queues and a friendly attendant I have a boarding pass in no time. Always a relief when you've had to reschedule.

SECURITY

Clearing security is a breeze; partly due to the redesigned, more spacious screening area, partly from the tropical climate, which means there's less time wasted by people removing jumpers, coat, boots or beanies.

FOOD AND DRINK

The terminal expansion includes an extra 2000 square metres of retail and dining space. I head to Icons Cairns, which serves light meals and snacks as well as an array of local gourmet food, wine and spirits, including Wolf Lane gin, which is distilled in Cairns. They also sell craft beers by Hemingways brewery, a Cairns institution that donates a share of its profits to the Great Barrier Reef Legacy. Other outlets include a taphouse, espresso bar, sushi bar, Hungry Jack's and Oporto. More dining facilities are set to open.

RETAIL THERAPY

All bases are covered: Tech2Go for last-minute cables and chargers (guilty); Lego Kaboom for the grandkids (guilty) and World of Chocolate for those with a sweet tooth (guilty). There's also Relay selling books and travel accessories, Billabong, a sunglass shop and The Cairns Store for local gifts and souvenirs.

PASSING TIME

Ample seating, free Wi-Fi and wide communal work benches (with plenty of power points) make it easy to fill in any downtime. Don't miss the Aviation Pioneers Display on level 1 near the entrance to the Qantas Club Lounge (Qantas is the only airline with a lounge in the domestic terminal). The terminal also boasts a "quiet room" to support passengers with a sensory or hidden disability.

THE VERDICT

Two big ticks. A well-designed layout, which allows for good passenger flow, and stores featuring a high proportion of local and artisanal produce, giftware and iconic Tropical North Queensland brands. See cairnsairport.com.au

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

★★★★

Reviewed by Kerry van der Jagt, who was a guest of Tourism and Events Queensland