Useful Phone Number Directory
Below is Edition One of the Useful Phone Number Directory. If there are any amendments or add-ons would like to see please feel free to contact the 
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Useful Phone Number Directory - Edition One 
Hospitals
CAIRNS
- Cairns Base - The Esplanade 07 4050 6333
- Calvary - 1 Upward St 07 4052 5200
MOUNT ISA
- Camooweal St 07 4744 4444
THURSDAY ISLAND
- Douglas St 07 4069 1109
WEIPA
- Rocky Pt Rd 07 4090 6222
Dental Health
FLUORIDE
The water supply in Far North Queensland is not fluoridated and does not contain the recommended levels of natural fluoride. Supplements should be given to children up to 13 years of age. Fluoride tablets/droplets are available upon request from local councils.
DENTAL HEALTH CLINICS
Dental Health clinics are available at local hospitals.
Living in Far North Queensland
ADVICE FOR NEW ARRIVALS
Each area of Australia has a range of natural hazards to be aware of. The tropical north is no exception, and while a move to North Queensland is not a trip to the Danger Zone, there are reasonable precautions to take when dealing with the local Climate, Fauna and Weather.
SUNBURN
Our climate favours an outdoor lifestyle. In order to make the most of the outdoors without burning yourself to a crisp, don't forget to SLIP, SLOP, SLAP.
TROPICAL EAR
Some children and adults seem to suffer from tropical ear after arrival in Far North Queensland. Fortunately the problem rarely persists. If you or your family do develop this condition, relief can be found by the use of a locally applied medication.
CANE TOADS
Cane toads are found throughout Northern Australia, especially during the wet season. The toad has a poisonous secretion on its skin and they should not be handled. Young children and pets should be kept away from these pests to avoid suffering any ill effects due to ingestion of the secretion.
MARINE STINGERS
The stinger season lasts from October to April, although they can be present at other times. They are usually found in calm shallow water, and are more numerous after rain. Almost all popular beaches have life guards on duty and have stinger resistant enclosures for swimming during the stinger season.
TICKS
Paralysis ticks can occur in Northern Queensland, especially during the wet season. There are preparations available from pet shops and veterinary clinics that help to discourage ticks. Regularly check your pets and if a tick is discovered apply methylated spirits and gently remove it. If in doubt seek veterinary advice.
CROCODILES
Throughout Northern Australia you will see signs erected at access points to rivers, creeks, swamps and billabongs where there is a danger from estuarine crocodiles. Absence of a warning sign does not mean there are no crocodiles in an area. If in doubt obtain local advice. Take these warnings seriously and you will avoid any problems with these magnificent prehistoric creatures.
DENGUE FEVER AND ROSS RIVER FEVER
Both these illnesses are transmitted by mosquitoes. To reduce their breeding habitats, keep the yard clear of breeding sites or anywhere water can accumulate. Empty plant pots and other containers that hold water weekly. It is also a good idea to use insect repellent during the wet season
CYCLONES
The Cyclone season runs from December to March. Cyclones are rare but don't assume that it will never happen to you. Take the following reasonable precautions and you will minimise any risk. Clear the yard of all loose items before the season starts. Familiarise or refresh your knowledge of procedures should a cyclone watch be issued. Stock up on canned food, candles and batteries. In the event of a cyclone listen to the radio for up to date information on the cyclones status.
The Battalion has an Emergency Response Plan which would be activated in the event of a cyclone.
HEAT RASH
Many children suffer from Heat Rash in our tropical climate. Medications are available from the chemist (or in severe cases the doctor) to ease the symptoms.
Transport & Getting Around Cairns
International Flights
Cairns International Airport operates regular flights from major cities around the world. However direct flights can be quite expensive so most visitors travel via Sydney, Melbourne or Perth and Darwin.
Getting to Cairns & Australia (International Flights)
An island continent, Australia is surrounded by ocean and therefore the only way to visit is via plane or boat.
Almost all visitors will have to enter the country via a major capital city, usually Sydney, Melbourne or Perth. About half of all visitors enter via Sydney's Kingsford-Smith International Airport.
There are direct flights to Cairns from major Asian cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore.
How long does it take to get to Australia? (based on direct flights only)
It takes about three hours to fly from New Zealand to Australia.
It takes between 7 and 11 hours to fly from Asian countries to Australia.
It takes about 15 hours to fly from the west coast of the United States of America to Australia.
It takes about 18 hours to fly from South Africa to Australia.
It takes between 13 and 16 hours to fly from South America to Australia.
It takes more than 24 hours to fly from Europe to Australia.
Due to the long travelling time, most visitors choose to break their journey in Singapore, Dubai, Thailand or Malaysia.
After Sydney, visitors also arrive, in descending order, in the cities of Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
Only a few travellers enter the country directly at Cairns, Adelaide, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Norfolk Island, Newcastle or Broome (WA).
Getting to Cairns – (Domestic Flights)
Cairns International Airport operates regular and numerous flights from the major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth as well as Darwin, Adelaide, Hobart and Brisbane arriving in the Domestic terminal.
How long does it take to get to cairns?
- It takes about 3 hours to fly from Sydney to Cairns.
- It takes about 2.5 hours to fly from Brisbane to Cairns.
- It takes about 3.5 hours to fly from Melbourne to Cairns.
- It takes about 8.5 hours to fly from Perth to Cairns with a stop over in Brisbane.
- It takes about 6.5 hours to fly from Adelaide to Cairns with a stop over in Melbourne.
- It takes about 2.5 hours to fly from Darwin to Cairns.
- It takes about 6.5 hours to fly from Hobart to Cairns with a stop over in Melbourne.
Useful numbers for Cairns Airlines
Air New Zealand 131 223
Air Niugini 131 223
Cathay Pacific 131 747
Continental Airlines 4034 9122
Qantas Domestic & International 131 223
Virgin Blue 136 789
Macair Airlines (Islands, Peninsula & Gulf) 131 528
Skytrans Airlines (Peninsula & Gulf) 4046 2462
Customs & Quarantine
As an isolated region with economic dependence on its agriculture, Australia operates under very strict customs and quarantine laws.
There are even restrictions on carrying fruit between various states around Australia.
Australia is free of many diseases and insect pests which is why animal and vegetable product imports, including wood, are highly controlled.
All incoming visitors must pass a customs check. No fruits, vegetables, meat or other food products are allowed into the country unless they are factory produced or on an approved list – chocolate, for example, is acceptable.
As long as visitors declare all such products there is no penalty.
There are a number of prominent signs at every airport outlining the import restrictions.
Declared products will be confiscated and destroyed or held in quarantine.
Should a visitor not declare restricted imports there are very heavy penalties including fines of thousands of dollars and a possible jail term.
Since the increase in airport security due to the threat of terrorism, customs has become even more stringent with every piece of baggage being examined.
There is almost no possibility of smuggling restricted items into the country.
For more information go to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service website at www.daff.gov.au/aqis
Medication, baby foods and accepted items are able to be brought into Australia.
As a multicultural nation, almost all food stuffs, including ethnic specialities, are available in the capital cities and most major towns.
Tourist destinations, like the Cairns region, offer specialist produce stores.
Visas & Documentation
All foreign nationals except New Zealanders need visas to enter Australia.
Citizens of some countries can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) which is a tourist or business visa valid for up to 3 month stays at one time, up to one year in duration.
There are a number of other kinds of visas available including student visas, working visas, one year, under 25 years, working visas for citizens of the United Kingdom and other forms of residency.
Australia does have a refugee program; however in recent years restrictions have been tightened and numbers of these granted have been reduced.
For more information see the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship at www.immi.gov.au
Public Transport in Cairns
Once visitors have arrived in Cairns, getting around consists of a combination of public and private transport depending on how long the visitor intends to stay.
From Cairns International Airport, visitors can choose to take a city transport bus or a taxi (cab). Accommodation providers, particularly backpacker hostels, also provide bus transport from the airport.
It is only about 10-15 minutes from the airport to the city centre and should cost approximately $13-15.
Getting around Cairns City
Bicycles
Cairns is a relatively flat city and many visitors enjoy hiring bicycles for the duration of their visit to get around the city and close by attractions like the Cairns Botanic Gardens, the Esplanade and Shopping Centres. Bicycles can be hired from hire companies or bought second-hand via the local newspaper, The Cairns Post.
Taxis
Taxis are relatively expensive for long journeys outside of Cairns city centre, but reasonable for short jaunts in the city itself. The major taxi rank is located on Lake St in the centre of Cairns city. Taxis can also be picked up from most hotels or called to order on 131 008. Taxis tend not to pick people up in the street unless dropping off another passenger.
Car Hire
Many visitors choose to hire a car or 4WD vehicle, particularly if they plan to stay for an extended period and/or visit other towns in the region. There are a number of international car hire companies in the city as well as cheaper options with older cars available.
Buying a Car
A popular choice with backpackers is to hire or buy a van, which has often been converted into a mini caravan, and use it as their base of operations, camping and travelling without a schedule around the area. These vans can be found in the pages of the local newspaper, The Cairns Post, or from amateur advertisements at various backpacker accommodations around the city.
Tour Buses
It is not necessary for visitors to hire a car as all towns, tours and attractions can be reached via tour operators. These tours will pick visitors up from their accommodation and return them at the end of the tour.
Local Public Buses
Public buses – the blue Sunbus – travel around the city of Cairns and to all suburbs including the northern beaches and Palm Cove. There are also public buses to the smaller towns including Kuranda and Port Douglas, the Atherton Tablelands, Mission Beach and Cooktown.
Interstate Public Buses
Visitors can travel to other states via ‘coaches' leaving from a central depot at the Reef Fleet Terminal on the Cairns Esplanade. There are two major companies, Greyhound-Pioneer and McCafferty's.
Trains
Trains are another way to travel into the region from other states, however there is no light rail in the Cairns region apart from the tourist attraction of the Kuranda Scenic Railway and other historic trains. Queensland Rail operates from the Cairns Central Railway Station to the rear of Cairns Central Shopping Centre.
Taxi 131 008
Sunbus (City Bus) 4057 7411
Australia Coach (Airport Bus) 4048 8355
Sun Palm Express (Cairns to Port Douglas / Daintree) 4099 4992
Whitecar Coaches (Cairns to Tablelands) 4050 0599
Country Road Coaches (Cairns to Cooktown) 4050 0599
Greyhound-Pioneer (Interstate) 132 030
McCafferty's (Interstate) 131 499
Premier Motor Service (Interstate) 133 410
Queensland Rail (Trains) 4036 9250
Road Conditions
RACQ Road Condition Reports (Recorded) 1300 130 595