Although used regularly as a port-of-call since before World War II, a permanent RAN presence was not established until 1971, when a maintenance and support base for patrol boats was set up.

[1] In 2016, the Australian Government announced plans to significantly redevelop Cairns as northern Australia's key strategic naval base.

[3] The base, and adjacent industry facilities, have been upgraded and designated 'Regional Maintenance Center (RMC) North East' as the first for four dedicated naval support centres to be established in strategically important ports.

[4] In May 2021 the Australian Government further announced an upgrade to the base and its facilities to support the incoming Arafura-Class patrol vessels currently under construction.

[5] Cairns is currently responsible for all Australian naval activity from Rockhampton to Thursday Island and serves as a home base for four Cape class patrol boats.