The small terminal building at Barcaldine has been replaced by a larger building that is behind mandatory security fencing. The old terminal still stands and serves as the Qantaslink freight office. In 1998 Flight West provided scheduled services to Brisbane using Brasilias. The airline closed in 2001. Today Qantaslink uses Dash 8s.

Short final for Barcaldine's 1704 m Runway 19 on a late winter evening. I was being dropped off in Chieftain VH-WAL to prepare for the arrival the following day of aircraft from the Federation Airshows in the Outback. The crossing runway, 14/32, is sealed for about 2/3 of its 946 m - the remainder (out of shot to the left) is clay. The airport's 'passenger terminal' is by the hangar at the right of shot and consisted of nothing more than an open 'bus shelter'!