Alternative arrangements will be in place for people needing to travel between Cairns and Port Douglas during temporary road closures associated with Cairns Airport Adventure Festival and Challenge Cairns iron-distance triathlon on 3, 4 and 5 June.

Sections of the Captain Cook Highway will also be closed on Sunday 5 June.

Road closure Friday 3 June
6.30am - 9.30am The Esplanade Cairns, between Smith Street and Spence Street

Road closure Saturday 4 June
1pm - 4pm The Esplanade Cairns, between Upward Street and Shields Street

Road closure Sunday 5 June
4.00am - 6.00am Buckley St, Yorkeys Knob. Yorkeys Knob Boating Club will remain open for business as usual for members and their guests.  Refer to website for further details around parking changes and boat ramp closures.

6.00am - 4.30pm southbound lane of the Captain Cook Highway between Old Port Rd Port Douglas and Buchan St Palm Cove.

7am - 4.30pm northbound lane of the Captain Cook Highway between Buchan St Palm Cove and Old Port Rd Port Douglas.

9:30am - 10.30am all lanes of the Captain Cook Highway between Veivers Rd Palm Cove and Discovery Drive (the Kewarra Beach roundabout).

9.30am - 8.30pm southbound lane of the Captain Cook Highway between Yorkeys Knob Rd and Airport Avenue Cairns.  Single lane closure and decreased speed limit.

9.30am - 8.30pm runners will be crossing Airport Avenue Cairns so expect some delays.

9am - 1.00am (Monday 6 June) The Esplanade Cairns, between Upward Street and Spence Street.

5.00am - 6.30pm McGregor Rd and Dunne Road Smithfield.

7.30am - 3.30pm Old Port Rd from Captain Cook Highway to Port Douglas Road.

8.00am - 3.30pm Macrossan St from Davidson St to Wharf St Port Douglas.  During road closures an alternative route will be in place for port Douglas residents via St Crispians Ave, Port Douglas Road and Mahogany St.

Event Hot line - 1300 835 411


Delays can be expected on Sunday 5 June in the precincts of:

·         Port Douglas

·         Yorkeys Knob

·         Northern Beaches

·         Captain Cook Highway - southbound from Yorkeys Knob to Airport Avenue

The Lagoon car park beside the Shangri-La hotel will be closed Monday 30 May - Wednesday 8 June.

Alternative arrangements

USM Events advises coach transfers will be operating from Cairns to Port Douglas (including Cairns Airport) prior to the closure of the northbound lanes of Captain Cook Highway at 7am on Sunday 5 June.  Also operating will be coach transfers from Port Douglas to Cairns (including Cairns Airport) prior to the closure of the southbound lanes of the Captain Cook Highway on Sunday morning 5 June at 6am.  The schedule is yet to be confirmed and I will give you an update when it is available.

Shuttle boats will operate between Cairns, the northern beaches and Port Douglas on Sunday 5 June.  Schedule to be confirmed.

The Kennedy Highway will remain open and coach transfers will continue to operate from Port Douglas to Cairns and return via the Kennedy Highway during the closure of the Captain Cook Highway.

A Resort Centre has been set up at Cairns Colonial Club for visitors staying at Port Douglas and beyond departing via Cairns Airport on Sunday 5 June, and for visitors arriving at Cairns Airport with destinations in Port Douglas and north.  The Resort Centre offers travellers free luggage storage, the use of the pool and guest lounge.  There will be a small fee for use of the shuttle service to Cairns city and the Cairns Airport.

To assist your understanding of the event click here to see the Challenge Cairns course maps.