The station building was two-storey timber, with ornate verandahs: typical of tropical architecture of the era.

Unlike other main stations on the line, it didn't gain a full dining room or bar, just a snackbar kiosk.

The extensive yards and loco facilities opposite the station were closed and dismantled to release the site for redevelopment.

[4][2] Cairns is the terminus of Traveltrain's Spirit of Queensland service to Brisbane Roma Street Station.

[5] From June 1953 to December 2014, Cairns was the terminus of The Sunlander service which was operated by Traveltrain (the long-distance passenger division of Queensland Rail).

Platform 1 is used by the Spirit of Queensland service to Brisbane and the Savannahlander to Forsayth, and has a direct link to the Cairns Central Shopping Centre.