Cairns, Queensland

Regional Gallery Cairns Cairns is the heart of Tropical North Queensland and Australia’s primary gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is a vibrant, eclectic city framed by the spectacular twin backdrops of rainforest mountain ranges and the sparkling Coral Sea. The World Heritage listed Wet Tropics Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef and the Outback are all within easy reach.

The Cairns Esplanade is the city’s main attraction with a lovely oceanfront promenade, saltwater swimming lagoon and beach. You’ll find numerous restaurants, bars and hotels lining the Esplanade…all offering beautiful waterfront views. Thousands of visitors flock to the Esplanade to enjoy the alfresco dining and relax in the beautiful surroundings of this modern city.

Almost a century of architecture is reflected in the city streets - a comfortable blend of traditional Queensland style and contemporary designs. Make sure to visit the Reef Casino to view its unique rainforest simulation and wander through the Cairns Regional Gallery to see exceptional art and exhibitions that focus on Indigenous works. There’s also the Flecker Botanic Gardens with its Gondawanan Evolutionary Trail that offers a glimpse into the ancient history of the rainforest plants.

Cairns is an adventure-lovers paradise with numerous tours and adrenalin activities on offer. From white water rafting to bungee jumping and skydiving, you’ll find the perfect activity to suit your penchant. And with hundreds tours visiting the Great Barrier Reef each year, you’re sure to find one, or a couple, to try.

Arrival in Cairns is simple, with several domestic and international flights arriving each day. And once you’re in Cairns, stop by the Gateway Discovery Centre on the Cairns Esplanade. The centre will help you find plan your ideal, tropical holiday.

Articles

Easy access

Cairns is within easy reach. International flights from across the globe service the airport, there are regular long-distance trains, daily coaches and increasingly, overseas cruise ships call into port.

Heart of the Tropical North

Cairns - the heart of the tropical north - is set against gentle green hills. With its good access to the reef and islands it is a perfect base for exploring the whole region. But it's such a sophisticated little city you'll want to stay, in the centre of fabulous shopping, markets and cafes. more

Room at the inns

Cairns has a wealth of accommodation on offer: international-standard hotels and resorts, island escapes and rainforest lodges, as well as self-catering styles for families and hostels for backpackers.

Shop till you drop

As an international port, Cairns offers the best in duty-free as well as locally-made products. In addition to a central business district and Pier Marketplace are five regional shopping centres close by. more

Start at beautiful Cairns

Cairns - the heart of the tropical north – offers great access to reef and islands, and is a perfect base for exploring. Just north are lovely beaches including Yorkeys Knob, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach. more

Step off for the reef

The waters are dotted with idyllic Great Barrier Reef islands. Lush Green and Fitzroy Islands are a day's excursion from Cairns. Popular Dunk Island is only minutes from Mission Beach, just south of Cairns, and the exclusive Bedarra, Hinchinbrook and Orpheus Islands lie dreamily nearby. more

Experiences/Activities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander:
Adventure:
Beach:
Caravan and Camping:
Cruise:
Educational Tourism:
Fishing:
Flora/Fauna:
Food and Wine:
Health and Wellbeing:
Historic/Heritage:
Indulgence/Luxury:
Industry/Mining/Agriculture:
Island:
Marine:
Nature based:
Nightlife/Clubs/Pubs/Casinos:
Outback:
Rail:
Rainforest:
Reef:
Sport:
The Arts:
Wildlife:
Animal Viewing:
Art and Craft:
Ballooning:
Birdwatching:
Bush Tucker:
Bushwalking:
Caravan and Camping:
Canoeing:
Crabbing:
Cruising:
Fishing - Beach:
Fishing - Estuary:
Fishing - Fly:
Fishing - Game:
Fruit Picking:
Gambling:
Golfing:
Horseriding:
Ice Skating/Roller Skating:
Jet Boating:
Kayaking:
Lessons/Tutorials:
Meditating:
Motor racing:
Mountain Biking:
Off Road Driving:
Para-Sailing/Para-Flying:
Sailing:
Scenic Flights:
Scuba-Diving:
Seakayaking:
Self-Guided:
Shopping:
Skydiving:
Snorkelling:
Surfing:
Swimming:
Tennis:
Trail bike riding:
Train Ride:
Water Skiing:
Wind Surfing:
Wine Tasting:

Cairns, Queensland

Articles

Easy access

Heart of the Tropical North

Room at the inns

Shop till you drop

Start at beautiful Cairns

Step off for the reef

Experiences/Activities

Tropical North region directory

Queensland link directory

Quick links

Region Information

Travel Information

Tropical North Weather

Cairns is the heart of Tropical North Queensland and Australia’s primary gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is a vibrant, eclectic city framed by the spectacular twin backdrops of rainforest mountain ranges and the sparkling Coral Sea. The World Heritage listed Wet Tropics Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef and the Outback are all within easy reach. The Cairns Esplanade is the city’s main attraction with a lovely oceanfront promenade, saltwater swimming lagoon and beach. You’ll find numerous restaurants, bars and hotels lining the Esplanade…all offering beautiful waterfront views. Thousands of visitors flock to the Esplanade to enjoy the alfresco dining and relax in the beautiful surroundings of this modern city. Almost a century of architecture is reflected in the city streets - a comfortable blend of traditional Queensland style and contemporary designs. Make sure to visit the Reef Casino to view its unique rainforest simulation and wander through the Cairns Regional Gallery to see exceptional art and exhibitions that focus on Indigenous works. There’s also the Flecker Botanic Gardens with its Gondawanan Evolutionary Trail that offers a glimpse into the ancient history of the rainforest plants. Cairns is an adventure-lovers paradise with numerous tours and adrenalin activities on offer. From white water rafting to bungee jumping and skydiving, you’ll find the perfect activity to suit your penchant. And with hundreds tours visiting the Great Barrier Reef each year, you’re sure to find one, or a couple, to try. Arrival in Cairns is simple, with several domestic and international flights arriving each day. And once you’re in Cairns, stop by the Gateway Discovery Centre on the Cairns Esplanade. The centre will help you find plan your ideal, tropical holiday.
Articles Easy access Cairns is within easy reach. International flights from across the globe service the airport, there are regular long-distance trains, daily coaches and increasingly, overseas cruise ships call into port. Heart of the Tropical North Cairns - the heart of the tropical north - is set against gentle green hills. With its good access to the reef and islands it is a perfect base for exploring the whole region. But it's such a sophisticated little city you'll want to stay, in the centre of fabulous shopping, markets and cafes. more Room at the inns Cairns has a wealth of accommodation on offer: international-standard hotels and resorts, island escapes and rainforest lodges, as well as self-catering styles for families and hostels for backpackers. Shop till you drop As an international port, Cairns offers the best in duty-free as well as locally-made products. In addition to a central business district and Pier Marketplace are five regional shopping centres close by. more Start at beautiful Cairns Cairns - the heart of the tropical north – offers great access to reef and islands, and is a perfect base for exploring. Just north are lovely beaches including Yorkeys Knob, Palm Cove and Ellis Beach. more Step off for the reef The waters are dotted with idyllic Great Barrier Reef islands. Lush Green and Fitzroy Islands are a day's excursion from Cairns. Popular Dunk Island is only minutes from Mission Beach, just south of Cairns, and the exclusive Bedarra, Hinchinbrook and Orpheus Islands lie dreamily nearby. more
Experiences/Activities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: Adventure: Beach: Caravan and Camping: Cruise: Educational Tourism: Fishing: Flora/Fauna: Food and Wine: Health and Wellbeing: Historic/Heritage: Indulgence/Luxury: Industry/Mining/Agriculture: Island: Marine: Nature based: Nightlife/Clubs/Pubs/Casinos: Outback: Rail: Rainforest: Reef: Sport: The Arts: Wildlife: Animal Viewing: Art and Craft: Ballooning: Birdwatching: Bush Tucker: Bushwalking: Caravan and Camping: Canoeing: Crabbing: Cruising: Fishing - Beach: Fishing - Estuary: Fishing - Fly: Fishing - Game: Fruit Picking: Gambling: Golfing: Horseriding: Ice Skating/Roller Skating: Jet Boating: Kayaking: Lessons/Tutorials: Meditating: Motor racing: Mountain Biking: Off Road Driving: Para-Sailing/Para-Flying: Sailing: Scenic Flights: Scuba-Diving: Seakayaking: Self-Guided: Shopping: Skydiving: Snorkelling: Surfing: Swimming: Tennis: Trail bike riding: Train Ride: Water Skiing: Wind Surfing: Wine Tasting: