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CNS → IRG
Which side of the plane to sit from Cairns International Airport (Cairns) to Lockhart River Airport (Lockhart River)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft offers unparalleled views of the Great Barrier Reef and the turquoise lagoons of the Coral Sea, providing a world-class aerial perspective of the reef's intricate patterns.
Search flights from CNS to IRG
Great Barrier Reef
Incredible patterns of coral formations and lagoons stretching across the horizon.
Lizard Island
A high granite island with a stunning Blue Lagoon, clearly visible from the flight path.
Cape Melville
Towering piles of giant granite boulders looking like a lunar landscape against the sea.
Flinders Group Islands
A group of seven islands within Princess Charlotte Bay with dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters.
Princess Charlotte Bay
A massive bay where the shallow coastal shelf provides a vibrant spectrum of blues and greens.
The right side is the priority for reef enthusiasts. To capture the best colors of the Great Barrier Reef, a mid-morning flight is ideal when the sun is high enough to penetrate the water but not directly overhead. Use a high shutter speed for photos as these regional flights often use turboprop aircraft like the Dash-8, which can have more vibration.
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Daintree Rainforest
Witness the dense, ancient canopy of the world's oldest living rainforest meeting the coastline.
Cooktown
The historic town at the mouth of the Endeavour River where Captain Cook once landed.
Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park
Vast wetlands, river systems, and saltpans known for their rich biodiversity and crocodile populations.
Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range)
Lush lowland rainforest and rugged coastal ranges as the flight approaches Lockhart River.
Sit on the left for morning flights to keep the sun behind you while viewing the rugged Cape York terrain. This side is ideal for spotting river systems like the Normanby and Kennedy rivers snaking through the wetlands. Watch for the dramatic change in vegetation as you move from the wet tropics to drier savanna and back into the Iron Range rainforest.
Get eSIMs for Australia
Get eSIMs for AustraliaDistance: 526 km (327 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 53 min
Departure: CNS (-16.885799408, 145.755004883)
Arrival: IRG (-12.7869, 143.304993)
Route Type: Domestic
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