Cairns, QLD
Cairns City is the heart of Tropical North Queensland and is the primary gateway to Northern Australia. Cairns looks a picture, framed by the spectacular twin backdrops of rainforest mountain ranges and the sparkling Coral Sea.
Cairns is a modern, sophisticated city, and is an ideal base to explore the wider Tropical North Queensland region with front door access to World Heritage listed Reef, Rainforest and Outback.
See some of the highlights of Cairns and the surrounding wonders in the short video below (duration: around 5 minutes).
The Cairns International Airport is located only several minutes drive north of the city centre. The city itself is where much of the accommodation is situated close to international standard, restaurants, boutique shopping, modern art galleries and evening entertainment.
All the attributes of a world class modern city are to be found in Cairns: International air access, rail systems, high-standard accommodation facilities, an art gallery, botanic gardens, university, a casino and a convention centre.
Almost a century of architecture is reflected in the city streets – a comfortable blend of traditional Queenslander style and modern designs. Modern buildings grace the cityscape with a mixture of architectural designs including the Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns International Hotel and the Cairns Convention Centre.
A focal point for the city is the Cairns Esplanade and Lagoon (pictured above). Almost two kilometres of landscaped parkland fringes a busy thoroughfare and restaurant strip on one side, and a natural harbour inlet on the other.
Each year, thousands of visitors flock to the Esplanade to relax on the grass, eat at sidewalk cafes, meet new people, to walk under the trees, and to watch the many bird species which come to feed on the tidal zone.
Nearby places of interest…
Start at beautiful Cairns
Cairns, the prime gateway to Tropical North Queensland is the ideal starting point for travellers wanting to explore the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, outback and the vast wilderness of Cape York Peninsula.
Despite all these attractions outside Cairns, you’ll be seriously tempted to extend your stay in this sophisticated modern city.
With its tree-lined streets, Cairns boasts great shopping malls, efficient transport, sophisticated hotels, cosmopolitan restaurants, cafes and nightclubs and a lifestyle that is in keeping with contemporary city living.
For retail therapy you’ll be in seventh heaven. Cairns boasts an excellent range of outlets and shopping centres whether you’re after designer sunglasses, hip fashion and jewellery, or souvenirs and gifts from crystals to boomerangs. Don’t miss the night markets on Cairns Esplanade for a shopping treat.
Dining is a high point in Cairns and local eateries offer an eclectic choice of Australian and international cuisine. The highlight of most menus is the region’s fresh seafood and unusual tropical fruits.
As for entertainment there are excellent theatres, galleries, nightclubs and the glass-domed Reef Hotel Casino with four separate gaming areas and a luxury five star hotel.
Another pleasant surprise is how close and accessible everything is in Cairns. The airport is only a few minutes drive from the city centre and visiting cruise liners and yachts moor at a marina and wharves only a block away from the main centre.
Shop till you drop
With its tree-lined streets, Cairns boasts great shopping malls, efficient transport, sophisticated hotels, cosmopolitan restaurants, cafes and nightclubs and a lifestyle that is in keeping with contemporary city living.
For retail therapy you’ll be in seventh heaven. Cairns boasts an excellent range of outlets and shopping centres whether you’re after designer sunglasses, hip fashion and jewelry, or souvenirs and gifts from crystals to boomerangs. Don’t miss the night markets on Cairns Esplanade for a real treat.
The shopping centres offer a variety of goods including luxurious brand shops, duty-free stores, boutiques, galleries and craft shops. Walk around the streets of Cairns to find many souvenirs shops and galleries. Facing the Cairns Harbour, “The Pier Market Place” has a great view over the bay.
The “Cairns Central Shopping Centre”, contains large department stores, supermarkets and cinema, is popular with local shoppers. Located along the shores of Trinity Inlet at Esplanade Street, the Night Market is opened every evening. Aboriginal artworks, handmade accessories by the local artists, t-shirts, opals are stocked.
For fresh produce walk through “Rustys Bazaar”. This market is held on Saturday and Sunday every week, is a great place to take in or purchase vegetables, fruit, and everyday clothing.
“Marina Mirage” one and half hours north in Port Douglas, is another luxury shopping experience of the area. In Kuranda, the hilltop town amongst the tropical rainforest, hosts local markets every day.
Heart of the Tropical North
Cairns, the prime gateway to Tropical North Queensland is the ideal starting point for travellers wanting to explore the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, outback and the vast wilderness of Cape York Peninsula.
Despite all these attractions outside Cairns, you’ll be seriously tempted to extend your stay in this sophisticated modern city.
With its tree-lined streets, Cairns boasts great shopping malls, efficient transport, sophisticated hotels, cosmopolitan restaurants, cafes and nightclubs and a lifestyle that is in keeping with contemporary city living.
For retail therapy you’ll be in seventh heaven. Cairns boasts an excellent range of outlets and shopping centres whether you’re after designer sunglasses, hip fashion and jewellery, or souvenirs and gifts from crystals to boomerangs. Don’t miss the night markets on Cairns Esplanade for a shopping treat.
Dining is a high point in Cairns and local eateries offer an eclectic choice of Australian and international cuisine. The highlight of most menus is the region’s fresh seafood and unusual tropical fruits.
As for entertainment there are excellent theatres, galleries, nightclubs and the glass-domed Reef Hotel Casino with four separate gaming areas and a luxury five star hotel.
Another pleasant surprise is how close and accessible everything is in Cairns. The airport is only a few minutes drive from the city centre and visiting cruise liners and yachts moor at a marina and wharves only a block away from the main centre.
Step off for the reef
The Great Barrier Reef has a delicate reef ecosystem that evolved over hundreds of thousands of years, and gave life to more than 6,600 species and plants and beasts. It’s still home to endangered species including the endangered green loggerhead turtle, and is a breeding site for humpback whales. While it is protected, there are myriad ways to enjoy it.
Go cruising around the islands, or base yourself at a range of mainland, seaside towns on the Queensland coast and take day trips. Dive sites are dotted up and down the reef, and it’s easy to charter a boat for a day or a longer dive trip, suiting beginners, intermediate or advanced divers.
Choose an island that suits your interests and budget, and find different ways to explore the islands, the reef, and the wildlife of both. Try Lizard Island for superb game-fishing, snorkelling and scuba-diving.
Lush Dunk Island is one of the area’s three rainforest islands; Green Island, off Cairns, has one of the most luxurious resorts in the world; and Hinchinbrook Island is the largest island national park in the world. Beautiful Heron Island and Lady Elliott islands, with their rich bird populations, have become lures for birdwatchers everywhere.
Accommodation ranges from camping grounds through eco-cabins to resorts. Dunk has four grades of accommodation. Some islands, like exquisite Orpheus Island, and Double Island, have luxury accommodation, and one, Haggerstone Island, is so remote and exclusive it’s only open for part of the year.
Nearest Airport: Cairns Domestic Airport and Cairns International Airport
Where to stay?
Experiences
- Active
- Caravan and Camping
- Homestay
- Romance
- City
- Cultural
- Eco Tourism
- Environmental
- Food and Wine
- Historic/Heritage
- Honeymoon
- Indulgence/Luxury
- Mountain
- Nature based
- Relaxation
- Soft Adventure
- Island
Popular Activities
- Off Road Driving
- Ballooning
- Mountain Biking
- Trail bike riding
- Bird Watching
- Bush Walking
- Canoeing
- City Sightseeing
- Cruising
- Driving
- Golfing
- Horse Riding
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Scenic Flight
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Skating
- Skiing - Water
- Skydiving
- Wind Surfing
- Swimming
- Wine Tasting
- National Park
- Winery
- Adventure
- Fishing
- Nightlife
- Rainforest
- Wildlife
- Fishing - Game
- Outback
- Scuba-Diving
- Fishing - Beach
- Beach
- Fruit Picking
- Fishing - Trout/Fly
- Surfing
- Fishing - Estuary
- Diving
- Seakayaking
- Snorkelling
- Reef
- World Heritage
- White Water Rafting
- Theme Park
- Jet Boating
About Cairns
- Locality: Major urban locality
- Cairns Postcode: 4870
- State: Queensland
- Region: Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
- Latitude: -16.9254
- Longitude: 145.77518
- Elevation: 7m
- Population: 2737
- Median Income: $40196
- Area (Sq/km): 1.804
- Timezone: Australia/Brisbane
Accommodation In Cairns
Discover some of the accommodation in and around Cairns
- 181 The Esplanade
- Acacia Court Hotel
- Agincourt Beachfront Apartments
- Alassio Palm Cove
- All Round Motel – Inn The Pink
- All Seasons Cairns Gateway Resort
- All Seasons Sunshine Tower Hotel
- Amaroo at Trinity
- Angsana Resort & Spa
- Argosy on the Beach
- Bay Village Tropical Retreat
- Beachfront Hideaway
- Bella Aqua
- Bellevue At Trinity Beach
- Best Western Cairns
- Bohemia Resort Cairns
- BreakFree Royal Harbour
- Cairns Aquarius
- Cairns Beach Resort
- Cairns Coconut Caravan Resort
- Cairns Colonial Club Resort
- Cairns International Hotel
- Cairns Plaza Hotel
- Cairns Queens Court
- Cairns Queenslander
- Cairns Reef Apartments And Motel
- Cairns Resort by Outrigger
- Cairns Student Lodge
- Cairns Villa & Leisure Park
- Cascade Gardens
- Castaways Trinity Beach
- Citysider, The
- Club Crocodile Hides Hotel
- Comfort Inn City Sheridan
- Comfort Suites City Terraces
- Comfort Suites Trinity Beach Club
- Coral Horizons Beachfront Apartments
- Coral Sands Resort
- Coral Towers Holiday Suites
- Costa Royale Prestige Apartments
- Country Comfort Sunlodge
- Ellis Beach Bungalows and Leisure Park
- Figtree Lodge
- Golden Sands Beachfront Resort
- Grosvenor In Cairns
- Heritage Cairns
- High Chaparral Motel & Holiday Units
- Hilton Cairns
- Holiday Inn Cairns
- Hosted Retreats Australia Pty Ltd
- Hotel Cairns, The
- Il Centro Apartment Hotel
- Il Palazzo Boutique Hotel
- Inn Cairns Boutique Apartments
- Inn The Tropics
- Kewarra Beach Resort
- Koala Court Holiday Apartments
- Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa, The
- Mango Lagoon Resort and Wellness Spa
- Mantra Amphora Resort
- Mantra Trilogy
- Marlin Cove Resort
- Marlin Gateway Apartments
- Marlin Waters Beachfront Apartments
- Mediterranean Beachfront Apartments
- Melaleuca Resort
- Mercure Hotel Harbourside Cairns
- Meridien at Trinity
- Mid City Luxury Suites
- North Cove Waterfront Suites
- Novotel Rockford Palm Cove
- Oaks City Quays
- Oasis at Palm Cove
- Oasis Inn
- Oasis Resort Cairns
- On The Beach Holiday Apartments
- Outrigger Beach Club and Spa
- Pacific International Hotel
- Palm Cove Beach Saray’i Hotel
- Palm Cove Tropic Apartments
- Palm Royale Cairns
- Palms at Trinity
- Paradise On The Beach Resort
- Prime Trinity Beach Pacific Apartments
- Quality Hotel Sheridan Plaza
- Quality Inn Rainbow Southside
- Rainbow Inn
- Reef Retreat, The
- Royal Palm Villas
- Roydon Beachfront Apartments
- Rydges Esplanade Cairns Resort
- Rydges Plaza Cairns
- Rydges Tradewinds Cairns
- Sanctuary Palm Cove
- Sea Change Beachfront Apartments
- Sea Temple Resort and Spa Palm Cove
- Sebel Reef House and Spa, The
- Shangri-la Hotel, The Marina, Cairns
- Shooting Star Apartments
- Sofitel Reef Casino Cairns
- Sunrise Beach Lodge
- Teewah Rise – Luxury Escape
- Tradewinds McLeod Holiday Apartments
- Trinity On The Esplanade
- Tropic Sunrise Holiday Units
- Voyages Wrotham Park Lodge
Tours In Cairns
Discover some of the tours options around Cairns
- Adventure Tours Australia
- Aero-Tropics Air Services
- AJ Hackett Bungy Cairns
- Amity Tours
- Balloon With Hot Air Port Douglas and Cairns
- Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises
- Billy Tea Bush Safaris
- Blazing Saddles Cairns Adventures
- Cairns Dive Centre
- Cairns Habitat Cruises
- Cairns Heli Scenic
- Cape York Motorcycle Adventures
- Captain Cook Cruises – MV Reef Endeavour
- Compass Cruises
- Coral Princess Cruises
- Down Under Dive
- Down Under Helicopters and Cairns Helicopter School
- Down Under Tours Australia
- Ecstasea
- Explorer Ventures – M/V Nimrod Explorer
- Exploring Oz
- Fishing Cairns
- Fishing The Tropics
- Foaming Fury
- Food Trail Tours
- Frankland Islands Cruise and Dive
- Great Adventures Reef & Green Island Cruises
- Heritage 4WD Safari Tours Pty Ltd
- International Coaches and Tours
- Koala Golf Cairns
- Mareeba Wetland Tours
- Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
- Ocean Spirit Cruises
- Oz Tours Safaris
- Passions of Paradise
- Paul’s Parachuting Xtreme Skydiving
- Personal Adventures
- Pro Dive Cairns
- Reef Encounter
- Reef Magic Cruises
- Reefwatch Air Tours
- RnR White Water Rafting, Cairns, Queensland
- Santa Maria Yacht Charter
- Skydive Cairns
- Spirit of Freedom
- Springmount Station Horseriding
- Stardancer Sailing Cairns
- Stay Upright Off Road Motorcycle Tour Centre
- Sunlover Helicopters
- Sunlover Reef Cruises
- Swagman Outback Safaris
- Taka Dive Adventures
- Tandem Cairns
- Trek North Safaris
- Tropic Wings Coach Tours
- Tropical Horizons Day Tours
- Tusa Dive Charters
- Wild Escapes Pty Ltd
- Wilderness Challenge
- Wooroonooran Safaris