Cairns Holiday Specialists BlogCHS Blog

Cairns Airport Adventure Festival Spectator’s Guide – June 2014

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Melanie Blight

The Cairns Airport Ironman and the Flight Centre Active Travel Ironman 70.3 is scheduled for Sunday June 8^th 2014. This much anticipated annual event is a big crowd drawer to Cairns and the surrounding region. Athletes and their families travel near and far to compete in this world class event and the majority take the time to enjoy the Tropical Far North’s fabulous sights and tours whilst visiting. Although a very busy time in the area, it’s also alive and buzzing with lots of excited energy, the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival runs throughout the week with a huge array of activities and sporting events leading up to the world class Ironman race. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy the festival, the keen sports watchers of the world will be thrilled to bits with all the options available to them.

Click here for Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas map

Here’s a spectators guide to best watch the festival’s events and support athletes during these grueling challenges

***Sunday June 1^st 2014***

Coral Coast Triathlon

For the 4^th year running this triathlon is the perfect lead up to the Ironman challenges seeing many locals participate in the scenic Port Douglas course. The perfect vantage point to this race is the picturesque Four Mile Beach. Athletes will have 3 different distances to choose from, the courses all include Four Mile Beach and the areas surrounding Port Douglas

Starting Time: 7.30am

 

Hekili Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge

This 40km outrigger canoe and surf ski race will see competitors slogging it out in the scenic coastal waters between Palm Cove and Port Douglas. Watch from the starting line on Palm Cove beach (maybe enjoy a delicious breakfast at one of the many cafes on the waterfront) as the athletes navigate Double Island and head north towards Port Douglas. With many beautiful beaches and lookouts along the way you will be spoilt for fantastic vantages points to view this race.

Starting Time: 8.30am

 

RRR Mountain Bike Challenge

The Rural, Rainforest and Reef cross country mountain bike race commences in the small rural town of Mount Molloy and ventures through the dirt and dust of Cattle Country, dense rainforest trails, steep downhill passages and cane fields to the finish line on Four Mile Beach. A tricky race to spectate as it covers so many diverse secluded terrains, Four Mile Beach will be the hot spot for the pre mentioned events and you’ll also be able to catch the finale to this race that saw 400 entrants compete in 2013.

Starting Times: 9.00am – 70km & 11.00am – 35km

 

***Thursday June 5^th 2014***

Quicksilver Reef Swim

Book a ferry to Green Island (phone 4059 5959 or email info@cairnsholidayspecialists.com.au) to watch the Quicksilver Reef Swim from the gorgeous white sandy beaches. This must be one of the ultimate spectator’s spots with the 1.5km/3km swim taking place straight from the shore of tropical Green Island. Enjoy snorkelling and/or a reef viewing boat after the race, dine at one of the eateries on the island, sip a cocktail at the bar and help celebrate with the competitors.

Starting Times: 7.55am – 3km & 8.00am – 1.5km

 

Cairns Lifestyle and Sporting Expo

The Expo will feature a selection of sporting gear, clothing, memorabilia, food and drink stalls for both athletes and the general public to enjoy.

When: 1pm – 5pm

Where: Western Events Lawn adjacent to the Cairns Esplanade

 

***Friday June 6^th 2014***

The Cairns Post Run for Cairns

Why not swap spectating for a little and competing in the Cairns Post Run community and charity event. Take a stroll with the family or challenge yourself to a personal best or race with the more serious runners for the chance to win great prizes in this 5km course. Starting at Fogerty Park this race is a round trip along the scenic Cairns Esplanade Boardwalk with the finish line at the Cairns Lagoon Pool. To enter click here.

Start Time: 7.30am

 

Cairns Sport & Lifestyle Expo

The Expo will feature a selection of sporting gear, clothing, memorabilia and food and drink stalls for both athletes and the general public to enjoy.

When: 7.30am – 5pm

Where: Western Events Lawn adjacent to the Cairns Esplanade

 

***Saturday June 7^th 2014***

McDonalds IRONKIDS Cairns

Bring your chairs and picnic blankets down to the Cairns Esplanade. The young athletes will complete their swim leg in the Esplanade Lagoon Pool, the ride along the Esplanade and the run back down the boardwalk to Fogarty Park.

Starting Times: 8.00am – 11 to 13 years & 8.30am – 7 to 10 years

 

Cairns Sport & Lifestyle Expo 

The Expo will feature a selection of sporting gear, clothing, memorabilia and food and drink stalls for both athletes and the general public to enjoy.

When: 9.00am – 2pm

Where: Western Events Lawn adjacent to the Cairns Esplanade

 

***Sunday June 8^th 2014***

Flight Centre Active Travel Ironman 70.3/Cairns Airport Ironman

Palm Cove’s restaurants and cafes, beachfront accommodation and the palm tree lined foreshore are the ultimate viewing spots for the beginning of the Ironman challenges. With a change of location from last year, spectators now have better vantage points of the swim leg of the race and the beginning of the bike ride down Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove. Make your way to the Cairns Esplanade and settle yourselves in for an up close and personal view of the athletes completing their run from the foreshore with your picnic rugs and chairs, make use of ocean front accommodation and cheer from the balcony or one of the many fabulous pubs or restaurants in the city centre.

Flight Centre Active Travel Ironman 70.3 Start Time: 6.40am First Finisher: approx. 10.40am

Cairns Airport Ironman Start Time: 7.45am First Finisher: approx. 10.40am

 

Cairns Sport & Lifestyle Expo 

The Expo will feature a selection of sporting gear, clothing, memorabilia and food and drink stalls for both athletes and the general public to enjoy.

When: 11.00am – 5.00pm

Where: Western Events Lawn adjacent to the Cairns Esplanade

 

Tips

• Please note there will be road closures and delays during the festival as the use of public roads are required. Please check before travel.
• Great Adventures Cruises will be operating transfers between Port Douglas and Cairns on Sunday June 8^th 2014. Please call Great Adventures direct on 07 4044 9944 to book a transfer. $24 per adult
• Boat schedule 6.30am Depart Port Douglas/8.15am Arrive Cairns 8.45am Depart Cairns/10.30am Arrive Port Douglas 1.45pm Depart Port Douglas/3.30pm Arrive Cairns 4.15pm Depart Cairns/4.45pm Arrive Port Douglas
• Average Temperatures in June min 18°C max 26°C, sun protection recommended at all times.

This event is covered worldwide and attracts people from around the world and Australia, accommodation fills quickly, call 07 4059 5959 to speak to Cairns Holiday Specialists to book your home away from home or have a peek here

Author: Kelly – A Cairns Holiday Specialist