What a huge effort! Just over 30 days after being completely smashed by over 100 landslides, and having removed over 30,000 tonnes of debris - the Captain Cook Highway has reopened to one lane (in three main sections) and transfers are now moving again. Transfers have been going relatively smoothly on the newly reopened road this weekend Saturday 20 January and Sunday 21 January. However, passengers should expect there will be some delays due to traffic controls and stop / go signage. The one lane and stop/ go traffic controls will also make departures from Port Douglas slightly earlier than our usual 3 hour window. We have been working hard throughout this closure to provide our transfer services and to keep everyone updated with conditions and changed schedules via the Inland Highway via Mareeba.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we recommence services on this crucially important road between Cairns Airport and Port Douglas. Your relaxing Port Douglas holiday awaits you.🌴😎

Images source: Image published on Newsport from a submitted picture.

Progress is being made on repairs to the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas.

Local communities, tourists and tourism operators are all looking forward to the highway reopening after the damage from drenching rains that followed Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.

Some 30,000 tonnes of mud, rocks and debris have been removed from the highway as work moves towards opening one lane from late January. The reopening is dependent on works progressing.

Everyone at CairnsAirportShuttle.net thanks all those involved in this mammoth effort to reopen this important road link. Thank you to all the crews and all the teams working long and hard hours. 

We'll update here again closer to Australia Day when we (hopefully) know more.

Image credit: From the 10 January 2024 media statement by Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services The Honourable Bart Mellish