The key is that CO considers CNS part of the Asia/Micronesia zone as opposed to part of Australia--- and it makes sense, given the flight is a few hours from the GUM hub on a 737, just as the rest of the Pacific destinations.

Then again, the same kind of argument could be made for why a 40 min. RJ from Houston to Mexico prices higher than a multi-hour Canada/Alaska. Hmm.....


FWIW, the CNS airport has a free shower you can use-- that will help you kill some time. City bus service runs into the city about hourly that time of night, although there are limited things to see and do after hours, and you have to walk about 1 1/2 km from the terminal to the main drag to catch the bus. Bus schedules are at http://www.sunbus.com.au/tt_cairns_northern.php and if you look at the route map, you can see where the airport is located with respect to the route 1.