Elderslie Airport

The closure was likely due to a combination of factors common to remote private airstrips in Australia. These include: 1) Economic Reasons: The high cost of maintaining a runway, even a dirt or grass one, may have become prohibitive for the station owners. 2) Reduced Necessity: Improvements in road infrastructure in the Cape York Peninsula region over time may have reduced the station's reliance on air transport for supplies and personnel. 3) Change in Operations or Ownership: A shift in the pastoral station's operational needs or a change in ownership could have led to the decision to no longer maintain the airstrip.

The site of the former Elderslie Airport is completely defunct and unusable for aviation. Satellite imagery shows the runway is heavily overgrown with vegetation and is no longer distinct from the surrounding pasture and bushland. There are no remaining airport infrastructure, such as hangars or terminal buildings, as is typical for a basic station strip. The land has reverted to its use as part of the Elderslie pastoral station, likely for cattle grazing.

The identifier 'AU-0672' is a non-official code used by third-party databases; the airstrip was a private facility for Elderslie Station, a large cattle station on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland. Its historical significance lies in its role as a vital lifeline for this remote property. During its operational years, the airstrip was crucial for:
- **Transport:** Moving personnel, essential supplies, and mail to and from the isolated station.
- **Medical Emergencies:** Providing critical access for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), allowing for medical evacuations and the delivery of healthcare to station residents.
- **Business Operations:** Facilitating the transport of stock agents, veterinarians, and other business-related visitors.
The airstrip represents a classic example of the self-sufficiency required for life on remote Australian pastoral properties throughout much of the 20th century, before reliable road networks were established.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Elderslie airstrip. Re-establishing the airstrip would require significant investment in clearing, grading, and ensuring the surface meets safety standards. Given its remote location and the likely availability of alternative transport methods, it is highly unlikely that the current property owners or any other entity would invest in its restoration. The airstrip is considered permanently closed.