Flooding Closes Captain Cook and Kennedy Highways Near Cairns This Week

The Captain Cook Highway remains closed between Caravonica and Aeroglen near Cairns airport because of flooding at Thomatis Creek and the Barron River Bridge, with the closure creating major traffic congestion in the region.

Captain Cook Highway Closure

This section of the Captain Cook Highway is shut to all traffic due to the flooding at Thomatis Creek and the Barron River Bridge. Motorists travelling near Cairns airport face detours and significant delays as a result of the closure between Caravonica and Aeroglen.

Kennedy Highway and Kuranda Range Roadworks

The Kennedy Highway between Kuranda and Smithfield in Cairns Regional is closed to all traffic for planned roadworks on the Kuranda Range, with night works continuing. Kuranda Range Road is operating under single-lane traffic control at Henry Ross Lookout. Scheduled full night closures on the range finished early as of March 2026, although day and night single-lane works remain in place.

Checking Updates and Alternatives

Real-time traffic alerts, road closures and condition updates for Cairns and Far North Queensland are available through the official QLDTraffic website at qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or the QLDTraffic app. Public transport service updates and real-time bus information for the Cairns region are provided through TransLink at translink.com.au or by calling 13 12 30. Drivers and commuters are advised to consult these sources before travel to confirm current conditions on affected routes.

The combination of weather-related flooding on the Captain Cook Highway and ongoing maintenance on the Kennedy Highway and Kuranda Range Road has reduced available capacity on key corridors this week. Local traffic management relies on these official channels to relay changes as conditions evolve.