Well, there is a good regular bus service to Cairns from Mareeba that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. There are reasonably priced hire car businesses in Mareeba before you even look at the larger Australia wide hire car businesses which are in Mareeba as well. It is a pleasnant and not very long drive if you really do need to go to Cairns.
Yes, its the new Aussie GA business model!
You hangar your aeroplane 100km from where you live cause your local aerodrome does not want anything to do with GA - say in my case Ayr or Ingham rather than Townsville - then when you want to go to Cairns for business or pleasure you fly to Mareeba, hire a car and drive 100 km to Cairns. Reverse the process when you want to go home!
Almost makes you glad to be in the twilight of your flying career!
Dr 