Mareeba Airport
Built in 1942 as Hoevet Field, a major United States Army Air Forces base during World War II, Mareeba Airport has a remarkable military history. Today it serves as a general aviation airfield and home to Warbird Adventures, where you can see - and even fly in - restored WWII aircraft.
MRG/YMBA
IATA/ICAO
Airport codes
1942
Built
As USAAF Hoevet Field
10,000+
WWII Personnel
At peak operations
41 km
From Cairns
No commercial flights
World War II: Hoevet Field
In 1942, with the Japanese military advancing through the Pacific, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) constructed a major airbase on flat farmland west of Mareeba. Named Hoevet Field after an American aviator killed in combat, the base became one of the most important Allied air installations in the South West Pacific theatre.
At its peak, over 10,000 military personnel were stationed at or around Mareeba. The 345th Bombardment Group (“Air Apaches”), the 38th Bombardment Group, and the 22nd Bombardment Group all operated from Hoevet Field, flying B-25 Mitchell and B-26 Marauder medium bombers on missions across New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies, and the Philippines.
The military presence transformed Mareeba from a small farming town into a bustling military hub with infrastructure including multiple runways, hangars, maintenance facilities, barracks, a hospital, and recreation areas. Roads built for military traffic still form part of the local road network today. Many American, Australian, and other Allied servicemen who served at Hoevet Field returned after the war to settle in the region, contributing to Mareeba's postwar growth.
Warbird Adventures
Warbird Adventures operates from Mareeba Airport, housing a collection of restored and flyable WWII-era aircraft. The attraction connects directly to the airport's wartime history, allowing visitors to see the types of aircraft that once filled the skies over Mareeba.
Museum & Hangar Tour
Walk through the hangar to see restored warbirds up close. Guided tours available explaining the history of each aircraft and its connection to Mareeba's WWII story.
Adventure Flights
For the ultimate experience, book an adventure flight in a vintage warbird. Fly over the Atherton Tablelands in the same type of aircraft that once operated from this very runway.
Aircraft Collection
The collection includes a flyable Supermarine Spitfire, North American Harvard trainer, and other WWII-era aircraft. Aircraft rotate based on maintenance schedules.
Gift Shop
Aviation memorabilia, model aircraft, books on WWII history, and unique Mareeba aviation souvenirs.
The Airport Today
Mareeba Airport (IATA: MRG, ICAO: YMBA) operates today as a general aviation airfield. There are no scheduled commercial passenger services - the nearest commercial airport is Cairns International (CNS), approximately 41 km east.
The airport is home to several aviation organisations and services:
North Queensland Aero Club
Active aero club offering flying lessons, aircraft hire, and social flying events. Welcomes new members and visiting pilots.
Mission Aviation Fellowship
MAF operates from Mareeba, providing aviation services to remote Indigenous communities and mission stations across Cape York and the Torres Strait.
Hot Air Ballooning
The Mareeba area's famous hot air balloon operations launch from fields near the airport in the calm pre-dawn conditions.
General Aviation
Private aircraft, charter flights, aerial agricultural services, and emergency services use the airport regularly.
Preserving the Heritage
Several initiatives preserve the wartime heritage of Hoevet Field. The Mareeba Heritage Museum in town houses an extensive WWII display including uniforms, photographs, maps, and personal effects from servicemen who were stationed at the base. Memorial plaques at the airport mark the historical significance of the site.
For aviation enthusiasts and history buffs, a combined visit to Warbird Adventures at the airport and the WWII exhibits at the Heritage Museum provides a comprehensive understanding of Mareeba's remarkable wartime role. The museum is free and located on Byrnes Street in the town centre.