Flights from Normanton to Cairns

What should you pack when visiting Cairns?

Unlike many other Australian cities, Cairns doesn’t experience seasonal weather in the traditional sense. Instead of cycling through four seasons, Cairns’ weather is typically defined by a dry season and a wet season. Spanning from April to November, the dry season sees Cairns enjoy its most favourable weather conditions. If you’re planning to book your flights from Normanton to Cairns to arrive at this time of year, expect daytime temperatures to average between 31℃ and 34℃. Consider packing light, airy clothing, such as shorts, t-shirts or flowy dresses, to help keep yourself cool. Look for items that are made from natural fibres, such as cotton and linen, which will help to wick moisture away from your skin.

Average temperatures during the wet season, which spans from December to March, don’t vary greatly from those experienced during the dry season. However, with many more rainy days on average, Cairns tends to be quite humid at this time. If you’re due to arrive on cheap flights to Cairns from Normanton in the midst of the wet season, look to pack light, breathable clothing made from natural fibres which will help to keep you cool when the humidity reaches its peak. If you’re wanting to explore the city during your wet season stay, an umbrella is an essential addition to your packing list, with January, February and March all experiencing an average of more than 15 rainy days per month.

If you’re wanting to head inland and explore some of the national parks that surround the city following your flights from Normanton to Cairns, be sure to add a comfortable pair of walking shoes or hiking boots to your packing list.

What are the major events and festivals held in Cairns?

Cairns Festival

Held over 10 days in late August and early September, the Cairns Festival is a celebration of the city’s natural beauty, community spirit and laidback way of life. Throughout the festival period, the city comes to life with a varied lineup of events, including street parades, live music, workshops and more. If you’re able to plan your flights from Normanton to Cairns to arrive in time for the Grand Parade, be sure to do so. Brightly coloured floats make their way along the Cairns Esplanade, with dancers, live music and plenty of entertainment lining the route.

The Grass is Greener

A boutique music event attracting artists from across Australia and the globe, The Grass is Greener festival descends on Cairns in October each year. Although the lineup does vary from year to year, previous incarnations of the festival have seen the likes of Tyga, Amy Shark, The Jungle Giants and The Veronicas perform in the Queensland city.

Cairns Show

First held in 1891, the Cairns Show has been a major feature of Cairns’ event calendar for more than a century. Held in July, the show takes place over three days and features an exciting lineup of events, entertainment and displays. Enjoy all the thrills of the show's sideshow alley, pick up a showbag or two, or settle in and watch on as competitors take part in wood chopping competitions. Set aside some time before your Normanton to Cairns return flights to wander through the interesting produce and farm animal exhibits scattered throughout the show or simply enjoy the opportunity to soak up the electric atmosphere.

New Year’s Eve on Cairns Esplanade

If your flights from Normanton to Cairns are due to touch down right as the year is about to end, be sure to plan the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations into your holiday itinerary. The evening typically kicks off along the Cairns Esplanade with family-friendly entertainment, including live music and activities for kids of all ages, before mesmerising firework displays illuminate the night sky at 9pm and midnight. This is a popular event, so be sure to claim your viewing spot along the Cairns Esplanade well before the firework displays begin.

What are the top tips for first-time travellers to Cairns?

While there’s plenty to see and do across the city, Cairns also happens to be a great base for exploring more of Far North Queensland’s incredible natural beauty. Departing from Cairns, you’ll find an assortment of guided tours exploring the reefs and islands that make up the Great Barrier Reef. The Daintree Rainforest and a selection of national parks, including Kuranda National Park, Mount Lewis National Park and Danbulla National Park, are also located within just a few hours from the heart of the city. Set out on an adventure on your own or join a guided day trip to discover some of the region’s unmissable sights before you head home on your Normanton to Cairns return flights.

Thanks to the city's warm temperatures and the high humidity during the wet season, it can be easy to become dehydrated if you’re not careful. Be sure to add a bottle of water or two to your day pack before you start exploring the city and consider spending time indoors in Cairns’ museums and art galleries if the weather becomes uncomfortable.

If you plan to take a swim at any of the beaches surrounding Cairns between November and May, it’s a good idea to hire a stinger suit. At this time of year, several types of jellyfish are more common in the waters surrounding the city, including the deadly Irukandji jellyfish. If a beach stroll sounds tempting after your flights from Normanton to Cairns arrive, be sure to wear sandals or thongs in case a jellyfish or two have washed up on the sand.