IRONMAN Cairns – Race, Course & Travel Guide

Race in paradise — then stay and explore it.

IRONMAN Cairns is much more than a race weekend. It's a destination event combining one of Australia's most spectacular triathlon courses with the Great Barrier Reef, tropical beaches, rainforest and some of Far North Queensland's best road trips.

The full-distance IRONMAN begins at Palm Cove, approximately 25 minutes north of Cairns, with a 3.8 km ocean swim followed by a 180 km bike course along the spectacular tropical coastline and a 42.2 km marathon finishing on the Cairns waterfront.

If you're travelling interstate or internationally to compete, consider giving yourself more than just race weekend.

Arrive early enough to prepare properly, race IRONMAN, recover — then use your campervan to explore the part of Australia you've just spent all day racing through.

Usually: June

Location: Palm Cove & Cairns, Queensland

Distance: 3.8 km swim • 180 km bike • 42.2 km run

Conditions: Tropical winter

Typical temperature: Around 18–28°C

Typical water temperature: Around 23°C

Spectators: Free

Best trip length: 7–14 days if combining IRONMAN with a Far North Queensland road trip

What Makes IRONMAN Cairns Different?

There are easier places in Australia to simply fly in, race and fly home.

Cairns is a race people can build a holiday around.

The event is held in Tropical North Queensland, between two World Heritage environments — the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforest.

Race week centres around Cairns and Palm Cove, while the bike course takes competitors along the Captain Cook Highway, one of Australia's most spectacular coastal roads.

IRONMAN Cairns attracts thousands of competitors across race weekend, together with partners, families and supporters, creating a major event atmosphere throughout the region.

How Many Days Should You Allow?

This is probably one of the most useful things we can tell visiting athletes.

Don't fly into Cairns the day before IRONMAN.

Race week involves athlete check-in, bike preparation, compulsory bike racking and transition arrangements.

For example, the 2026 program had athlete activities running from Thursday onwards, compulsory bike racking at Palm Cove on Saturday and the race on Sunday.

A sensible trip

3–5 days before IRONMAN

Arrive, collect your van, assemble and check your bike, buy groceries, complete registration and familiarise yourself with Cairns and Palm Cove.

Keep these days relatively quiet.

Race Day

IRONMAN.

Nothing else needs to be planned.

1–2 days afterwards

Recover. Eat. Swim. Sit beside the Cairns Lagoon or beach. Don't immediately schedule a five-hour hike.

Then 3–7+ days exploring

This is when having a campervan really starts to make sense.

Instead of packing everything and flying home, your race trip becomes a Far North Queensland holiday.

Where Should You Base Yourself During Race Week?

This requires a little planning because IRONMAN Cairns effectively has two centres.

Palm Cove

Palm Cove hosts the swim start and Transition 1.

Staying around the Northern Beaches puts you close to race morning and gives you a quieter tropical base before the event.

Cairns

Cairns hosts the Athlete Village, much of the race-week activity, the run course, finish line and Transition 2.

It also puts you close to supermarkets, restaurants, bike services, Cairns Airport and the Reef Fleet Terminal.

Why a Campervan Can Work Really Well for IRONMAN Cairns

This is where a campervan becomes more than simply somewhere to sleep.

Before the race

You have your own transport between Cairns, the Northern Beaches and shops.

There's space for luggage, race equipment, nutrition and all the extra gear that comes with travelling for an IRONMAN.

You can buy groceries and prepare your own familiar pre-race meals rather than eating restaurant food every night.

And you aren't dependent on taxis or hiring another vehicle every time you need something.

After the race

This is where the real advantage begins.

You've travelled all the way to one of Australia's most spectacular regions — and your transport and accommodation are already with you.

No checking out of one hotel, collecting a hire car and checking into another.

Pack up and go.

Travelling with a bike

Talk to us before booking.

Race bikes, bike boxes and luggage take up significant room, and some of our campervan layouts will suit athletes better than others.

We can help work out which van makes the most sense for the number of people travelling and the equipment you're bringing.

Turn IRONMAN Cairns Into a Road Trip

You probably don't want to do too much sightseeing immediately before an IRONMAN.

Afterwards is a different story.

🌿 Atherton Tablelands — 2–3 Days

Cairns → Kuranda → Mareeba → Lake Tinaroo → Yungaburra → Lake Eacham → Waterfall Circuit

This is a great recovery road trip.

Cooler mountain country, rainforest, waterfalls, volcanic crater lakes, wildlife and beautiful small towns.

Best for: Waterfalls • swimming • wildlife • rainforest • relaxed driving

🌴 Port Douglas & Daintree — 3–4 Days

Cairns → Palm Cove → Port Douglas → Mossman Gorge → Daintree → Cape Tribulation

Go back over part of the country you've just raced through — except this time there's no timing mat.

Explore Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge and one of the oldest tropical rainforests on Earth.

Add a Great Barrier Reef trip from Port Douglas or Cape Tribulation if conditions are good

Best for: Reef • rainforest • beaches • wildlife • iconic FNQ scenery

🏝 Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast — 2–3 Days

Cairns → Babinda → Josephine Falls → Innisfail → Etty Bay → Mission Beach

Head south instead and discover waterfalls, swimming holes, tropical beaches and cassowary country.

It's quieter than the Cairns–Port Douglas corridor and a lovely way to unwind after race week.

Best for: Beaches • waterfalls • swimming • wildlife • quieter road trips

Planning Your IRONMAN Cairns Trip

Before booking

Race entry

IRONMAN entry prices change according to registration period and package. Always check current pricing directly with IRONMAN.

Flights

Cairns Airport is conveniently located close to both Cairns and the Northern Beaches. Remember to check your airline's bike/baggage policy before booking.

Campervan

June is peak travel season in Far North Queensland as well as IRONMAN month. Book early, particularly if you need a van capable of carrying specific bike equipment.

Camping

Book your caravan parks separately and early around race week. Don't assume you can simply park and sleep beside the course.

Bike transport

Check whether your bike will travel assembled or boxed and tell us what you're bringing before choosing your van.

Race transport

Use the current IRONMAN Athlete Guide for race-morning shuttles, bike transfers and transition arrangements.

Road closures

Check the current year's official road closure information. Don't base your race-day plan on the previous year's times.