Your ultimate guide for Cairns Ironman

Everything you need to know about road closures, start times and locations for the upcoming Cairns Ironman.

Bike leg of the Cairns Ironman along the picturesque Captain Cook Highway.

Yes, it's that exciting time of year again: the spectacular Cairns Ironman event is nearly upon us.

This global event has gone from strength-to-strength and now hosts more than 3,500 registered competitors.

It's huge for our city and an incredible celebration of stamina, elite fitness and just a little partying once the finish line is crossed.

Captain Cook Highway north of Palm Cove will be closed all day on Sunday June 12

But there are also some logistical challenges we should all take note of to ensure everything - including our own regular routines - run as smoothly as possible.

Here's what you need to know:

There are two events which run simultaneously - the half course and full course.

SWIM LEGS

The swim legs will start in Palm Cove at 6.35am and 7.35am respectively.

BIKE LEGS

The bike legs follow from Palm Cove to Port Douglas and back to Cairns.

RUN LEGS

The run legs follow on Cairns Esplanade and Lake Street, with circuits between Spence Street and Smith Street.

CHANGED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

A number of traffic conditions will be changed to accommodate athletes involved in Ironman Cairns.

The Captain Cook Highway, north of Veivers Road Palm Cove to Port Douglas, will be closed completely all day Sunday the 12th.

Access to and from Palm Cove Village will be via Veivers Road and Palm Cove Boulevard.

The Captain Cook Highway will have two way traffic all day south of Veivers Road Palm Cove to Cairns including the Cairns Airport.

Between Palm Cove and Kewarra Beach, the Highway will be split into three lanes, one for north bound traffic, one for south bound, and one for the Ironman cyclists.

South of Kewarra Beach there will be one lane for south bound traffic and one for the cyclists. The normal two lanes will be open for north bound traffic from Cairns.

The first cyclists will be back onto the Northern Beaches at approximately 8.30am and we expect there will be a steady flow of cyclists for most of the day until approximately 5pm.

TRAFFIC UPDATES

For up to date and changed traffic conditions click here

TRAVEL TIME

Please allow additional time if you are traveling from the Northern Beaches into Cairns City and use the Western Arterial Road via Kamerunga if possible.

CAIRNS AIRPORT

For those travelling to and from the Cairns Airport, it is advised that you allow at least an extra 2 hours to get to the airport as you may encounter delays in traffic flow around this area.

For further information phone the IRONMAN Event Hotline on 1300 761 384