Please see the fare types section on this page for more information and their specific conditions.

All our locations and relevant addresses are listed on the contact page.

Please note that on-street parking at Hinterland Cairns is now restricted. Any vehicles parked in this area will be towed, so we strongly recommend customers plan ahead.

Parking is now available approximately 70 metres from the terminal, operated by EasyPark. If you don’t already have the EasyPark app, you can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store . We strongly recommend downloading the app before you travel.

20kg is the permitted allowance per paid fare. This is a combined total of checked and carry-on bags.

Yes, however excess luggage will be charged accordingly.

Cooktown, Coen, Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw flights are all charged at $5.50/kg

NOTE: Excess baggage is not guaranteed to fly on the same service as you. Excess baggage can be offloaded to travel on the next available service.

You will need to be at our terminal and checked in 45 minutes before departure. However, it is highly recommended that you be there 1hr prior to departure. Check-in closes STRICTLY 30 minutes prior to departure.

The Coen guest house is our agent in Coen. Passengers and/ or freight items must be checked in at the guesthouse first before going to the airport. Passengers must check-in no later than 1 hour 45 mins prior to departure as check-in will close 1 hour and 15 mins before departure. The airport is approximately 30 min drive from the guesthouse.

Yes. It is a security requirement to have photo identification to check in. You may be refused to fly if you do not have photo ID.

Photo identification can include: drivers license, over 18 card, student id card, passport, proof of age card.

If you are arriving into Cairns domestic terminal and then flying with Hinterland Aviation, allow at least 90 mins between your arrival time into Cairns and departure time with Hinterland Aviation. This will allow time for you to collect your baggage and transfer to our terminal in the general aviation area.

If you are departing Cairns domestic or international, please refer to your connecting carrier’s check-in times and allow at least 90 minutes from arriving into Cairns, although international may require more time to check in.

Taxi’s and ride share are best methods of getting to Hinterland Aviation or over to the main airport terminals.

Children can fly unaccompanied between the ages of 8 and 11 but will need to have an unaccompanied minor form filled out and sent back to Hinterland Aviation, 48 hours before the flight.

An unaccompanied minor form can be found on our main title page on our website under the “flying with us” tab.

Children under the age of 8 are not permitted to fly alone.

Yes – $44 handling fee  plus:

Cooktown rate:  $5.50/kg or part thereof.

Coen /Pormpuraaw / Kowanyama  rate:   Food & Groceries : $5.50/kg or part thereof
General Freight: $7.70 /kg or part thereof

Lockhart River: General Freight $8.80/kg or part thereof

NOTE: for large amounts of freight or oversized items, please call first to check flight load and limitations.

Freight must arrive 1 hour before departure for Cairns and 1 hour 45 mins for Coen.

1. Purpose

This policy establishes the requirements governing the carriage of domesticated animals on flights operated by Hinterland Aviation. It is designed to ensure the safety, health, and comfort of all passengers, crew, and animals, and to maintain compliance with applicable Australian aviation regulations and Queensland state legislation.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all passengers and bookings on flights operated by Hinterland Aviation. It covers the carriage of domesticated pets and, separately, the carriage of assistance animals. Due to differences in aircraft type and operational configuration across Hinterland Aviation’s bases, pet carriage conditions vary by route. Passengers should refer to the relevant section for their specific route.

3. Regulatory Framework

This policy has been developed with reference to the following legislative and regulatory instruments:

• Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth)
• Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (Cth), including requirements relating to cargo and hold loading
• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) standards and directions applicable to passenger and freight operations
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
• Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 (Qld)
• Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (Qld)

Where this policy intersects with statutory requirements, legislative obligations take precedence.

4. Pet Carriage Conditions by Route

Hinterland Aviation operates from multiple bases using different aircraft types. Pet carriage conditions are determined by the originating base and route, as set out below.

4A. Cairns-Based Routes (Hold Only — Size Restricted)

4A.1 Applicable Routes

The following conditions apply to flights originating from Cairns:

• Cooktown
• Coen
• Kowanyama
• Lockhart River
• Pormpuraaw

4A.2 Hold Carriage Only

On Cairns-based routes, pets must travel in the aircraft hold (cargo compartment) at all times. Pets are not permitted in the passenger cabin. This requirement reflects the aircraft type and configuration operated on these routes and is consistent with applicable CASA regulations and operational safety requirements.

4A.3 Container Requirements

To be accepted for hold carriage on Cairns-based routes, the following conditions must be satisfied:

• The animal must travel in a secure, purpose-built animal transport container.
• The maximum container height permitted is 36 centimetres. This dimension is determined by hold compartment constraints on the aircraft operated on these routes. Containers exceeding this height cannot be safely secured in the hold and will not be accepted.
• The container must be leak-proof, adequately ventilated, and constructed to prevent escape.
• The container must allow the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down in a natural position.
• The container must comply with IATA Live Animals Regulations or equivalent standards, where applicable.

Animals presented in containers exceeding 36 centimetres in height will be refused carriage. Hinterland Aviation accepts no liability for passengers who arrive at the airport with non-compliant containers.

4A.4 Booking and Advance Notice

Passengers wishing to travel with a pet on Cairns-based routes must notify Hinterland Aviation at the time of booking. Acceptance of a pet booking is subject to availability and confirmation by Hinterland Aviation. The airline reserves the right to limit the number of animals accepted per flight.

4A.5 Refusal of Carriage

Hinterland Aviation may refuse to carry a pet on Cairns-based routes where:

• The container does not meet the requirements in clause 4A.3;
• The animal appears unwell, distressed, or poses a risk to the safety or comfort of other passengers;
• Advance notice was not provided as required; or
• Relevant regulatory or biosecurity requirements have not been met.

4B. Townsville-Based Routes

4B.1 Applicable Routes

The following conditions apply to flights originating from Townsville:

• Palm Island

4B.2 Permitted Animals

Small pets are permitted on Townsville-based routes, provided they are carried in an airline-certified, lockable cage. Permitted animals include:

• Dogs (small breeds)
• Cats
• Birds
• Kangaroo or wallaby joeys

4B.3 Container Requirements

The cage must measure no larger than 730 mm long x 450 mm wide x 540 mm high and must be airline-certified and lockable.

4B.4 Aircrew and Passenger Approval

Please note that carriage of pets on Townsville-based routes is subject to the approval of the operating aircrew and other passengers travelling on the flight. Approval may be withheld due to allergies, medical conditions, or other operational considerations. Passengers are encouraged to notify Hinterland Aviation of their intention to travel with a pet at the time of booking to facilitate any necessary arrangements.

4B.5 Refusal of Carriage

Hinterland Aviation may refuse to carry a pet on Townsville-based routes where the container does not meet the requirements in clause 4B.3, or where the operating aircrew determines that carriage would adversely affect the health, safety, or comfort of other passengers.

4C. Horn Island and Torres Strait Routes

4C.1 Applicable Routes

The following conditions apply to flights originating from Horn Island and to all Torres Strait routes operated by Hinterland Aviation.

4C.2 Permitted Animals

Small pets are permitted on Horn Island and Torres Strait routes, provided they are carried in an airline-certified, lockable cage. Permitted animals include:

• Dogs (small breeds)
• Cats
• Birds
• Kangaroo or wallaby joeys

4C.3 Container Requirements

The cage must measure no larger than 730 mm long x 450 mm wide x 540 mm high and must be airline-certified and lockable.

4C.4 Aircrew and Passenger Approval

Please note that carriage of pets on Horn Island and Torres Strait routes is subject to the approval of the operating aircrew and other passengers travelling on the flight. Approval may be withheld due to allergies, medical conditions, or other operational considerations. Passengers are encouraged to notify Hinterland Aviation of their intention to travel with a pet at the time of booking to facilitate any necessary arrangements.

4C.5 Refusal of Carriage

Hinterland Aviation may refuse to carry a pet on these routes where the container does not meet the requirements in clause 4C.3, or where the operating aircrew determines that carriage would adversely affect the health, safety, or comfort of other passengers.

5. Passenger Responsibilities — All Routes

Regardless of route, the passenger is responsible for ensuring:

• The animal is fit to travel and in good health;
• The container meets all requirements applicable to the relevant route under Section 4;
• Any applicable Queensland biosecurity or health requirements are satisfied prior to travel; and
• All applicable fees are paid prior to departure.

6. Assistance Animals and Service Animals

6.1 Legal Obligations

Hinterland Aviation recognises its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 (Qld). Refusing to carry an accredited assistance animal, or imposing unreasonable conditions on a passenger travelling with such an animal, may constitute unlawful discrimination. These obligations apply across all Hinterland Aviation routes.

6.2 Cabin Access — All Routes

Accredited assistance animals (including guide dogs, hearing dogs, and other trained assistance dogs) are permitted to travel in the passenger cabin on all Hinterland Aviation routes. Assistance animals are exempt from any hold-only requirement and from the container size restrictions applicable to pets under Section 4.

6.3 Conditions of Travel

Passengers travelling with an assistance animal must:

• Provide reasonable advance notice to Hinterland Aviation at the time of booking;
• Carry documentation evidencing the animal’s accreditation or training status (e.g., an identification card issued under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 (Qld) or equivalent);
• Ensure the animal remains under control and appropriately restrained throughout the flight; and
• Ensure the animal does not occupy a seat or obstruct emergency exits or equipment.

6.4 Verification

Hinterland Aviation staff may request documentation to verify an animal’s assistance animal status. This process is not intended to impose a barrier to travel but to ensure compliance with safety requirements applicable to all passengers. Where documentation cannot be provided, staff must escalate the matter to a supervisor before making a decision on carriage. Decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis and must not result in unlawful discrimination.

6.5 Conflict Between Pets and Assistance Animals

Where a passenger travelling with an accredited assistance animal and a passenger travelling with a pet are booked on the same flight, priority will be given to the passenger with the assistance animal. If the presence of a pet would compromise the welfare or working capacity of the assistance animal, Hinterland Aviation may, at its discretion, decline to carry the pet on that service.

7. Animal Welfare

Hinterland Aviation will take reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of animals in its care during transit, consistent with the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (Qld). Notwithstanding this, passengers remain primarily and ultimately responsible for their animal’s welfare throughout the carriage process, including during check-in, loading, flight, unloading, and collection.

Passengers are strongly encouraged to obtain pet travel insurance prior to travel to cover any loss, injury, illness, or death of their animal during transit. Hinterland Aviation does not offer or arrange such insurance and accepts no liability for a passenger’s failure to obtain appropriate coverage.

8. Passenger Warranty and Acknowledgement of Inherent Risks

8.1 Warranty of Fitness to Travel

By tendering an animal for carriage, the passenger warrants to Hinterland Aviation that:

• The animal is in good health and fit to travel by air at the time of presentation;
• The animal has not recently been sedated or medicated in a manner that may affect its condition during flight, unless disclosed to and accepted by Hinterland Aviation in advance;
• The animal is not pregnant, in an advanced stage of pregnancy, or nursing young in a manner that renders air travel inadvisable;
• The passenger has sought, or has had reasonable opportunity to seek, veterinary advice regarding the animal’s suitability for air travel; and
• The container presented meets the requirements set out in this policy for the relevant route.

Hinterland Aviation relies on this warranty in accepting the animal for carriage. Where a passenger provides false or misleading information in connection with this warranty, Hinterland Aviation’s liability, to the extent it would otherwise arise, is reduced accordingly.

8.2 Inherent Risks of Air Travel for Animals

The passenger acknowledges and accepts that the carriage of live animals by air involves inherent risks that cannot be entirely eliminated by any carrier, regardless of the standard of care exercised. These risks include, but are not limited to:

• Stress, anxiety, or behavioural changes resulting from the air travel environment;
• Adverse physiological responses to changes in cabin or hold pressure, temperature, humidity, or altitude;
• Injury caused by the animal’s own movement or behaviour within the container during flight or handling;
• Pre-existing health conditions that may be exacerbated by the stress of travel; and
• Death or serious injury resulting from any of the above, notwithstanding reasonable care taken by Hinterland Aviation.

By proceeding with the carriage of an animal, the passenger accepts these inherent risks and acknowledges that their occurrence does not, of itself, establish liability on the part of Hinterland Aviation.

9. Limitation of Liability

9.1 General Limitation

To the maximum extent permitted by law, including the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)), Hinterland Aviation’s liability in connection with the death, injury, illness, loss, or deterioration in condition of any animal during carriage is limited as follows:

• Where the loss arises from Hinterland Aviation’s negligence: liability is limited to the reasonable market value of the animal at the time of loss, and does not extend to consequential loss, distress, grief, loss of companionship, breeding value, or any other non-economic or indirect loss;
• Where the loss arises from the inherent risks of air travel, as described in clause 8.2, and not from any failure by Hinterland Aviation to exercise reasonable care: Hinterland Aviation accepts no liability;
• Where the loss arises from the passenger’s breach of the warranty in clause 8.1, or from any failure by the passenger to comply with the requirements of this policy: Hinterland Aviation accepts no liability; and
• Where the loss arises from the acts or omissions of any third party, including ground handling contractors, other passengers, or biosecurity or government authorities: Hinterland Aviation accepts no liability beyond any obligation imposed by applicable law.

9.2 Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in this policy is intended to exclude, restrict, or modify any right or guarantee that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable legislation. To the extent that any guarantee applies and cannot be excluded, Hinterland Aviation’s liability for a failure to comply with that guarantee is limited, to the extent permitted by law, to the resupply of the relevant service or the cost of having the service supplied again.

9.3 No Liability for Third-Party Acts

Hinterland Aviation is not liable for any loss, injury, illness, or death of an animal that occurs prior to the animal being accepted into Hinterland Aviation’s custody at the point of check-in, or after the animal has been collected by or on behalf of the passenger at the destination. Hinterland Aviation is not liable for acts or omissions of third-party ground handling agents, customs or biosecurity authorities, veterinary providers, or other carriers, even where such parties handle the animal in connection with a Hinterland Aviation flight.

9.4 Indemnity

The passenger agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Hinterland Aviation, its officers, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any claim, loss, damage, cost, or liability (including reasonable legal costs) arising from or in connection with:

• Any breach by the passenger of the warranty in clause 8.1;
• Any failure by the passenger to comply with the requirements of this policy;
• Any injury, illness, or harm caused by the passenger’s animal to any other passenger, crew member, or animal during carriage; or
• Any biosecurity, regulatory, or import/export breach arising from the passenger’s failure to meet applicable requirements prior to travel.

10. Customer Communication

Hinterland Aviation will communicate this policy:

• During the booking process, including at the point of pet or assistance animal registration;
• On the Hinterland Aviation website; and
• In pre-travel communications sent to affected passengers.

Passengers are encouraged to contact Hinterland Aviation prior to travel to confirm applicable requirements and avoid disruption at the airport. Passengers arriving with animals that do not meet the applicable route requirements will be denied carriage.

11. Policy Compliance and Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure continued compliance with applicable legislation and regulations. Any staff member who becomes aware of a potential compliance concern should report it to the Compliance team.

Non-compliance with this policy by passengers may result in refusal of carriage in accordance with Hinterland Aviation’s Conditions of Carriage.

Firearms are permitted.

The firearm must not be loaded and must be in a lockable case. Ammunition must be stored in a lockable case and placed in a separate bag. Ammunition is capped at 5kg maximum. Driver’s license and firearms license must be presented upon check in and receipt.

Firearms include: rifles, handguns and crossbows. If the firearm is not in a lockable case, it will not be permitted to travel.

Please see the sectionon “Flying With a Medical Condition” – where we provide more details and a form to be completed prior to departure.

Yes you can fly without a medical certificate up until 36 weeks, if there have been no complications or difficulties.

You will require a medical clearance to fly after that time period.

You will also require medical clearance if there have been any complications or difficulties at any stage during your pregnancy.