Cairns International Airport

Cairns International Airport is one of Australia 's busiest international and domestic airports:

• Operating 24 hours per day
• 8 kilometres from the Seaport
• Australia's 5th busiest in terms of international passengers

Private Jets

The airport accommodates individual requirements for private jets - from recommending ground handling agents to runway escorts and advice on booking discrete, private transfers, accommodation and activities in the region. Confidentiality and world-class service is assured.

P: +61 7 4052 9703
www.cairnsport.com.au/airport

Local Time Location
GMT + 10 hrs 16 ° 55.5'S lat. and 144° 47'E long


Climate

Cruising is recommended all year round, however, preferable during the months of May to October.

 
©
(f)
Humidity %
Rainfall (mm)
Winter (Jun 1 Aug 31)
26.0
78.8
58.0
35.4
Spring (Sep 1 Nov 31)
29.3
84.7
56.6
56.0
Summer (Dec 1 Feb 28)
31.3
88.3
65.0
339.3
Autumn (Mar 1 May 31)
29.1
84.4
64.6
238.3

The above are average daily maximum temperatures. Humidity taken as at 3.00 pm.
Wet season runs from approximately November through to April.

Prevailing Winds

The prevailing winds from March to August are south-easterlies with northerlies occurring from September to February.


Shopping Hours and Shopping Malls

Traders in the central business district are open late during
the week and most are open for weekend trading.

Cairns has three major shopping malls as follows:

• Cairns Central Located in the city centre
• Smithfield Centre Located ten minutes north of the city centre.
• Stockland Earlville Located ten minutes south of the city centre.

There are however several smaller shopping centres located
in most suburban areas and within the city centre.

Pier Shopping
Super Yacht Group - Great Barrier Reef Inc. members will assist with all your requirements including:

 

• Customs requirements
• Pre arrival reporting systems
• Pilotage requirements
• Cargo reporting obligations
• Currency restrictions
• Quarantine (AQIS) requirements
• Ship's stores and food items
• Visa requirements
• Taxation laws
• Weather and tidal predictions
• Great Barrier Reef zoning information

For more information: info@superyachtgroup.com

Formalities

Where to start?

Cairns is the perfect entry point to Australia and the stunning Tropical North Queensland cruising grounds. The first port of call for vessels arriving from Asia or the South Pacific, the city is a one-stop shop for vessels clearing into Australia .

Port of arrival:

Any foreign registered vessel arriving from overseas must clear into a section 15 port within 48 hours of entering Australian waters. Cairns and Mackay are both eligible ports.

On arrival, the vessel may be boarded by both Customs and Quarantine Officers (AQIS) to ensure the vessel complies with the legislated requirements.

Visas:

All crew other than Australian or New Zealand will be required to have a valid Australian visa. Most nationalities may apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).

Quarantine:

Quarantine helps to protect Australia 's unique environment. All passengers must declare all food, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases. Some products may require treatment or may need to be destroyed by AQIS.

Essential paperwork:

The following documents should be lodged at least 48 hours prior to your arrival in Cairns :

•  Vessel Detail Report.

•  AQIS Application for Quarantine Pratique

•  Australian Customs Small Craft Report

•  Incoming Passenger Cards for all crew (to be completed on arrival and handed to Customs)

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ)

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is a government agency attached to Queensland Transport. MSQ's role is to protect Queensland's waterways and the people who use them - providing safer, cleaner seas.

MSQ has responsibility for:

• Improving maritime safety for shipping and small craft through regulation and education.

• Minimising vessel sourced waste and providing response to marine pollution.

• Providing essential maritime services such as port pilots and aids to navigation.

• Encouraging and supporting innovation in the maritime industry.

Pilotage requirements

Maritime Safety Queensland issues approvals to enter Queensland ports. Pilotage is required for International vessels over 50m in length. Superyachts under 50m in length can apply for a pilotage exemption. The fee for a superyacht exemption is the standard exemption fee of A$332.80.

The Master seeking exemption must request a Pilotage Assessment when booking a pilot. The Pilot will assess the vessels maneuverability and the Masters' competence on arrival or at a subsequent departure/arrival.

The Master must complete the following documents:

• Application form
• Superyacht Details form
• PEC questions and chart
• Pay the prescribed fee.

The Regional Harbour Master will assess the application and interview the applicant. If successful, the applicant will be issued with a written clearance granting limited exemption from pilotage in the defined waters of the Cairns Compulsory Pilotage area and stating the limits of the exemption.

The application, chart, superyacht details and answers to questions may be submitted in advance of the vessels' arrival/pilotage assessment.

Download the following here:

SuperyachtPECQuestionsCairns.pdf

MarinePilotApplication.pdf (3.5mb)

SUPERYACHTDETAILS.pdf

Cairns Pilotage Exemption Chart.pdf (1.7mb)

Customs Information & Support Centre

1300 363 263 from anywhere in Australia
or
+61 2 6275 6666 from outside Australia.

Website: www.customs.gov.au

Ship Reporting Systems

Australian Marine Safety Authority
+61 (0) 7 3001 6800

Website:www.amsa.gov.au

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

+61 2 6272 3933
Website: www.affa.gov.au
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