A China Southern Airlines charter touches down in Cairns, crew are greeted by (L-R in centre) Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Rob Giason, Cairns Mayor Val Schier and Cairns Airport Aviation Business Development General Manager Rob Evans.

Cairns rings in the Chinese New Year with colourful festivities

China Southern Airlines is flying Chinese visitors to Cairns to celebrate their Chinese New Year festivities in a beachfront setting, transforming the far north Queensland city into a tropical Chinatown.

Seven China Southern charter flights are arriving in Cairns between January 21 and January 25, each carrying hundreds of tourists eager to ring in the Year of the Dragon in one of Australia’s most dynamic beachfront communities.

“This is the fifth year China Southern has provided charters to bring Chinese tourists direct to Cairns for Chinese New Year festivities and we are delighted to be able to help build Chinese interest in this wonderful part of Australia,” Mr He said.

He said Cairns would welcome the influx with a Chinese New Year Street Festival that would focus on the coming Year of the Dragon.