Tavelling Cairns to Sydney or Sydney to Cairns?

Question

I was planning on travelling from Cairns to Syndey (where I plan to work for a year on a holiday visa), however have been told that the main flow of travellers go from Sydney to Cairns.

Have other people found this? I'd like to do the most popular route so I'm in the same direction as others, but it will mean taking an internal flight back to Sydney so want to know if it's worth the extra $200.

Thanks :-)

Answer 1

Cairns has an International Airport, and is the fifth busiest airport in Australia. http://cairnsport.com.au/content/home.asp?

Personally I would fly into Cairns, spend some time there, then train down to Brisbane on the tilt train or Sunlander, ( http://www.railaustralia.com.au ) you can get on and off as many times as you want, in other words if you want stop overs on the way down. http://www.traveltrain.com.au
Then take another train from Brisbane to Sydney, or drive, fly etc.

Answer 2

Hi Rolla

The most popular route for backpackers or travellers in general is definitely from Sydney to Cairns, only because they usually arrive in Sydney and start out from there. But remember that they also go back to Sydney the same way to work or fly out and if you join up with them they can show you the best spots to visit.

I've holidayed at various places along the east coast of Australia; some are travelling north, some are travelling south. There is no "popular route".

Unless you want to stay with the same crowd the whole trip, just travel down from Cairns. You'll meet people going both ways and have 200 bucks extra in your pocket.

Answer 3

I've driven from Cairns to Sydney twice but have never yet driven Sydney to Cairns directly. The reason most travellers go Sydney- Cairns is that Sydney has a major international airport, the biggest in Australia, while Cairns has a flying club. A huge number of people fly into Sydney compared with the handful who fly into Cairns. Consequently, more people are going to travel Sydney to Cairns because there are more people to travel from Sydney to Cairns.

Answer 4

Hi

Lucky you!! I travelled from Sydney to Cairns last september and loved it, its a bit of a cilmate change when you fly back down, only because i'm not really used to the hot weather being from England!!

Hope you have fun! x

Answer 5

unless it meant arriving in Cains in the rainy season I'd keep the $200. I'm no expert, but can't see the point of going to Sydney first. When you're in Cairns do make sure you go to Hartleys Crocodile Farm and Kuranda on the old train going and skyrail coming back. They are both brilliant. you can probably do both for $200

I think Ergot's right. I flew in to Brisbane.

Answer 6

I would have thought that flying in from overseas would mean you are pretty much restricted in how many (if any) airlines fly to Cairns at all. Even Brisbane travellers often go to Sydney or Melbourne first from o/s.

Answer 7

Try and get off the beaten track, is the best way to experience Aussie ;)
I wouldnt book an extra flight isnt worth it. Make sure you see Misssion Beach near cairns and the town of 1770 north of Brissy :)
Make the most of it......

Answer 8

It depends where you're flying in from.There are few flights into Cairns,and I found difficulty getting seats(there were 3 of us).