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IRG destination photo
CNS destination photo

IRGCNS

Our Recommendation
9.2

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers unparalleled views of the Great Barrier Reef and the dramatic coastline where the rainforest meets the Coral Sea.

Left Side Highlights
9.2
🌊

Princess Charlotte Bay

A massive, shallow bay known for its complex mangrove systems and vast coastal wetlands.

🪸

Great Barrier Reef

Spectacular aerial views of various reef systems including the Ribbon Reefs and individual sand cays.

🏝️

Lizard Island

A glimpse of the famous granite island surrounded by its own private lagoon and blue holes.

🌴

Cape Tribulation

The iconic geographic point where the ancient Daintree Rainforest stretches down to the white sandy beaches.

🏙️

Cairns Coastline

Clear views of Trinity Bay and the northern beaches as the aircraft aligns for its final approach.

Book an early morning flight for optimal lighting on the coral reefs; the low sun angle highlights the underwater topography. Request a seat ahead of or well behind the wing to capture the best photos of the turquoise water patterns.

Right Side Highlights
7.8
🦜

Iron Range National Park

Dense, prehistoric tropical rainforests that are home to unique species found nowhere else in Australia.

🏞️

Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park

A sprawling landscape of river systems, lagoons, and wetlands that transform significantly between seasons.

⛰️

McIlwraith Range

Rugged granite plateaus that form the backbone of the central Cape York Peninsula.

🌿

Daintree Hinterland

Deep green canopy views of the world's oldest continuously surviving tropical rainforest.

🏔️

Barron Gorge National Park

Dramatic mountain scenery and steep valleys visible during the initial descent into the Cairns basin.

The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to enjoy the sunset over the Great Dividing Range. Watch for the dramatic change in terrain from the flat savannah of the Cape to the steep, forested mountains near Cairns.

Top Activities in Cairns
Route Information

Distance: 526 km (327 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 53 min

Departure: IRG (-12.7869, 143.304993)

Arrival: CNS (-16.885799408, 145.755004883)

Route Type: Domestic

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