General News
9 November, 2026
Jump on board bus to airport
THE long-awaited bus service between Cairns Airport and the CBD will launch on 23 November.
Route 100 will run every 30 minutes from early morning until late evening, delivering 504 additional bus trips across the Cairns network every week.
Airport workers and visitors will pay 50 cents for each journey.
Travelling along Lake Street, route 100 will serve key destinations including Cairns Airport, Cairns Hospital, Cairns Private Hospital, Cairns City bus station and the Cairns Lagoon precinct.
The new route will operate every 30 minutes from 4am until 10pm each day, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. The first service will depart Cairns Lagoon at 4am, while the final service will leave Cairns Airport at 10pm. Passengers will board from a new bus stop located between the domestic and international terminals.
The service has been delivered through collaboration between the Queensland Government, Cairns Airport, Cairns Regional Council and operator Kinetic.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the new service was a long-awaited win for Cairns and Far North Queensland.
“It’s remarkable that a tourism city like Cairns hasn’t had a direct public bus connection between its airport and CBD, but from 23 November that finally changes,” he said.
Member for Barron River Bree James said route 100 was not just a service for tourists.
“It will connect locals and airport workers with the CBD, our hospitals and the Cairns Lagoon precinct, while providing connections to the wider public transport network,” she said.
Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said the service would provide a safer alternative for those who may consider walking along Airport Avenue. “It will also benefit the staff who work for operators based at Cairns Airport,” he said.
