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WEI → CNS
Which side of the plane to sit from Weipa Airport (Weipa) to Cairns International Airport (Cairns)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the Coral Sea coastline and the Great Barrier Reef during the descent into Cairns, contrasted with the initial views of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Albatross Bay
Aerial view of the stunning turquoise waters and red bauxite cliffs of the Weipa coastline upon departure.
Wenlock River
The intricate, winding waterways of one of Australia's most biodiverse river systems cutting through the savanna.
Princess Charlotte Bay
Distant views of the massive bay and the remote coastline of the eastern Cape York Peninsula.
Wet Tropics Rainforest
Dense, ancient green canopy of the Daintree and northern rainforest zones as the plane nears the coast.
Great Barrier Reef
Spectacular views of the inner reef lagoons and coral cays during the final approach into Cairns.
Trinity Bay
A clear view of the Cairns harbor and the Marlin Marina as the aircraft lines up for landing.
Book an afternoon flight to have the sun behind you, illuminating the vibrant blues of the Great Barrier Reef. Ensure you are seated forward of the wing to capture the transition from the red Cape York soil to the tropical blue coastline without engine heat haze.
Bauxite Mines
The massive, rust-red open-cut mining operations that define the landscape around Weipa.
Cape York Savanna
Infinite expanses of eucalyptus forest and tropical grasslands dotted with massive termite mounds.
Great Dividing Range
Crossing the rugged northern spine of Australia with its sharp ridges and deep hidden valleys.
Barron Falls
During the descent, look for the deep gorge and waterfall system carving through the Macalister Range.
Sugar Cane Fields
The vibrant green patchwork of agricultural land surrounding the Cairns and Barron River delta.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to avoid direct glare. It provides an excellent perspective of the sheer scale of the mining industry in Weipa and the topographical change as you cross the Great Dividing Range into the Atherton Tablelands region.
Distance: 623 km (387 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 2 min
Departure: WEI (-12.6786003113, 141.925003052)
Arrival: CNS (-16.885799408, 145.755004883)
Route Type: Domestic
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