TheMist
22nd May 2014, 13:01
Accommodation:
I stayed at Caravella Backpackers, $21 a night 6 bed Dorm, across the road from the seafront, chilled, relaxed and very social atmosphere, swimming pool, free wifi, 2 big kitchens, and yes it is clean! 15mins walk to Woolworths in town. I would stay here again definitely. There is a Bus stop around the corner which will get you to the GA side of the airport.
Transport:
Cairns Airport has the Airlines on one side of the runway, and the GA companies on the other side which is right next to the motorway, so you don't need expensive Airport transfers to get to this part as Buses drive past quite close. Don’t even think of going to the Airline side and walking around, it is a loooong way!
$17 by taxi from Caravella to out front of RFDS, worth considering if you go later in the day in the heat.
Take the 121 bus, which you can pick up around the corner from Caravella, $6.80 return, 10mins ride going to Aeroglen 47 bus stop. If you look on Google maps it is just next to the side road that goes into the GA side. On the bus make sure to sit up front as the bus goes fast, too late and you get dropped off 1km down the road. After the bus turns off the motorway onto Connection Road and goes over the railway lines, as soon as you can see the next railway crossing to your right push the button to stop, and you should get dropped off opposite the bus shelter on the other side of the road. Buses are from 10mins early to 15mins late. You must stick your hand out to hail the bus, even if you are standing at the stop some will drive past you if you don't hail. Ok, so once you are off the bus then you have to jay walk and cross the motorway as there is no actual allowance for pedestrians at the intersection!
The Line.
At the first Y junction you will be confronted with a list of businesses on a large sign site in front of you. This is completely out of date and still has Barrier Aviation on the list. Turn left and walk all the way and then work your way back, do the loop past RDFS and back, and then further to the South of the line as far as you can go, past Skytrans maintenance, the Helicopter companies are at the very end.
After the RFDS is the small GA Terminal, a good place to rest, water, toilets here.
For food there is a cafe around behind the Cobham hangar with tables, $6.50 for a decent sandwich, or try your luck at the Aeroclub if you want.
Operators:
North end:
Hevilift Maintenance
(any info? no one would answer when I was there)
Hinterland
Westwing
(Chief Pilot in Townsville)
East Air
Daintree
(1 plane at the moment)
Skydiving
(Chief Pilot in Byron Bay)
RFDS
Fugro
(1 plane, require Dash 8 rating, they have a contract to get pilots from Cobham though)
Police Air Wing
(past RFDS and GA Terminal, around behind the Toll depot on your right)
South end:
Cobham
(They can only refer you to register online. You must be an Australian citizen for Special Mission roles)
Queensland Aeroclub
(no twins at this time)
Skytrans Maintenance
(Admin office is in the city, Chief Pilot is in Brisbane)
A number of helicopter operators after this to the end of the line.
I stayed at Caravella Backpackers, $21 a night 6 bed Dorm, across the road from the seafront, chilled, relaxed and very social atmosphere, swimming pool, free wifi, 2 big kitchens, and yes it is clean! 15mins walk to Woolworths in town. I would stay here again definitely. There is a Bus stop around the corner which will get you to the GA side of the airport.
Transport:
Cairns Airport has the Airlines on one side of the runway, and the GA companies on the other side which is right next to the motorway, so you don't need expensive Airport transfers to get to this part as Buses drive past quite close. Don’t even think of going to the Airline side and walking around, it is a loooong way!
$17 by taxi from Caravella to out front of RFDS, worth considering if you go later in the day in the heat.
Take the 121 bus, which you can pick up around the corner from Caravella, $6.80 return, 10mins ride going to Aeroglen 47 bus stop. If you look on Google maps it is just next to the side road that goes into the GA side. On the bus make sure to sit up front as the bus goes fast, too late and you get dropped off 1km down the road. After the bus turns off the motorway onto Connection Road and goes over the railway lines, as soon as you can see the next railway crossing to your right push the button to stop, and you should get dropped off opposite the bus shelter on the other side of the road. Buses are from 10mins early to 15mins late. You must stick your hand out to hail the bus, even if you are standing at the stop some will drive past you if you don't hail. Ok, so once you are off the bus then you have to jay walk and cross the motorway as there is no actual allowance for pedestrians at the intersection!
The Line.
At the first Y junction you will be confronted with a list of businesses on a large sign site in front of you. This is completely out of date and still has Barrier Aviation on the list. Turn left and walk all the way and then work your way back, do the loop past RDFS and back, and then further to the South of the line as far as you can go, past Skytrans maintenance, the Helicopter companies are at the very end.
After the RFDS is the small GA Terminal, a good place to rest, water, toilets here.
For food there is a cafe around behind the Cobham hangar with tables, $6.50 for a decent sandwich, or try your luck at the Aeroclub if you want.
Operators:
North end:
Hevilift Maintenance
(any info? no one would answer when I was there)
Hinterland
Westwing
(Chief Pilot in Townsville)
East Air
Daintree
(1 plane at the moment)
Skydiving
(Chief Pilot in Byron Bay)
RFDS
Fugro
(1 plane, require Dash 8 rating, they have a contract to get pilots from Cobham though)
Police Air Wing
(past RFDS and GA Terminal, around behind the Toll depot on your right)
South end:
Cobham
(They can only refer you to register online. You must be an Australian citizen for Special Mission roles)
Queensland Aeroclub
(no twins at this time)
Skytrans Maintenance
(Admin office is in the city, Chief Pilot is in Brisbane)
A number of helicopter operators after this to the end of the line.