Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland Australia.located in Queensland, Australia. Originally settled in 1876, and named after William Wellington Cairns (the then Governor of Queensland) to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield, the settlement declined when an easier route was discovered from Port Douglas. However, Cairns' future was secured as it developed into a railhead and major port for the exportation of sugar cane, gold, precious metals and agricultural industries from the surrounding coastal and Tableland regions. The city is rapidly expanding, with a population of 122 731 (as of 2006) and is reliant on the sugar and tourism industries
Cairns is a small city with a population of approx. 130,000 that is very focused on the tourist industry, but is also surrounded by agricultural activities including sugar cane, banana tropical fruits, and now boasts the word's first tropical fruit wine region. Cairns is popular with international tourists, particularly the Japanese.
There is a lot of budget accommodation with plenty of drinking establishments and cheap
restaurants for backpackers. The atmosphere is relatively inexpensive tourism, with t-shirt
shops and lots of clubs and places to go out for young travellers. Travellers might prefer
the more sedate and upscale Port Douglas, 30 miles to the north.
There is no swimming beach to speak of in central Cairns, although there are many
choices just to the north and the south of the city. If you are aiming to a beachside resort
holiday, consider the places out of town or in Port Douglas. Swimming outside stinger
season of course.
The city has used its natural surroundings to its advantage with the construction of several small theme parks for tourists. Among them are Rainforestation nature park, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and the Kuranda Skyrail Gondola Cableway, which extends for 7.5 km (4.7 mi) over World Heritage rainforest.
A major attraction in Cairns is the lagoon.[neutrality disputed] Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne
declared in May, 2003 that topless sunbaking is permitted here as this area is a gathering
point for people from around the world who may wish to do so. . An oceanway allows
pedestrians and cyclists to move along the foreshore from the Lagoon in a sustainable
manner.
Cairns is located on the east coast of Cape York Peninsula on a coastal strip between the
Coral Sea and the Great Dividing Range. The northern part of the city is located on Trinity
Bay and the city centre is located on Trinity inlet. Some of the city's suburbs are located on
flood plains. The Mulgrave River and Barron River flow within the city's boundary but not
through the city itself. The city centre's foreshore is located on a mud flat.
PLACE TO VISIT
Rainforestation Nature Park - is situated 5 minutes from Kuranda, North Queensland, Australia. Set on 100 acres (40 hectares) in the midst of World Heritage rainforest, the park (formerly Mountain Groves) opened in 1976. The site had previously been used as a coffee and orange plantation.
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - is a scenic cableway running above the Barron Gorge National Park from the Cairns suburb of Caravonica to Kuranda, Queensland. The development of Skyrail was controversial as some local residents believed that damage may be done to World Heritage listed rainforest . Following seven years of planning and approvals, and 14 months of construction, Skyrail opened to the public in August 1995.
Ellis Beach - is a locality in Tropical North Queensland, Australia. It lies on the Coral Sea. The magnificent five kilometre strip of Ellis Beach is located thirty minutes drive north of Cairns on the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas, within Cairns Regional Council.
Holloways Beach - is a 12 minute drive north of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The population is about 3,000. It has a lifeguard for much of the year. There are several restaurants including Strait on the Beach and Coolums. There is a pub, Bogies, and a sports club. There is a newsagent, convenience store, launderette and video shop. Cairns Beach Resort has affordable accommodation and is opposite the beach.
Half Moon Bay Golf Club - is located at the western end of Wattle Street, and is a short but challenging layout which features a number of water hazards. It's 5,129 metres and par is 70. Most of the course is sand-based, and it dries rapidly after heavy rains. A 9- hole course is generally open even if all the other Cairns courses are closed due to flooding, although cyclones can force the course to close for a couple of days.
Palm Cove - is a beach community in Far North Queensland, Australia located 22 kilometres north of the city of Cairns . Palm Cove has a reputation for quality relaxed dining, most restaurants being situated along the beachfront fronting the Coral Sea.
Crystal Cascades - is a relatively unspoilt section of the Freshwater Creek, with numerous waterfalls and swimming holes popular with locals and tourists to beat the Far North Queensland tropical heat.
The largest water hole, sits alongside a sheer cliff, which locals and tourists climb to jump into the adjoining deep waterhole. The most famous part of the cliff is called "No Fear" which is the highest perch to jump off of. A lower perch is also used as a jumping platform, known to locals as "No Fat Chicks." Numerous locals and tourists have died jumping, or falling off the cliff over the years.
Copperlode Dam - or Lake Morris is a fresh water reservoir dam servicing the city
of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The dam is located in the range immediately west of the
city.
WHAT TO DO
Cairns is an adventure sports enthusiast's paradise: every second shop is a tourist
information centre with signs blaring "dive dive" or "tandem skydiving". Its location close to
the ocean, the mountains and the rainforest gives travellers lots of choices of activities.
Standby rates are ubiquitous: many of the more expensive activities, including scuba diving and skydiving, are up to $150 cheaper if you are prepared to go on standby for a cancellation.
Fishing in Cairns is popular for black marlin and 1000+ lbs are often caught in offshore.
Swim in the artificial lagoon on the promenade near the pier. The lagoon is unfenced and free. Its shallow water (max depth 1.5m) makes it popular with children and families. The lagoon is a good place to cool off especially during "stinger season" between October and May (cf. Australia#Poisonous_and_dangerous_creatures) when local beaches should be avoided.
Sun-bake or people watch on the grassy part of the promenade near the lagoon. On a sunny day, even in the middle of Cairns's tropical "winter", there will sometimes be more sun-bakers than there is visible grass.
Have a barbecue on the promenade. Cairns has free barbecues scattered generously
among the picnic tables on the grass.
Go walking - Cairns is surrounded by rainforest clad mountains, and there are nearly 200 walking tracks in this World Heritage Area. If you are a keen walker look for the book 'Tropical Walking Tracks' at bookshops and adventure shops. It lists all of the tracks around Cairns as well as those between Townsville and Cooktown and has maps of them and 'how-to-get-there' directions as well.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Cairns International Airport is the primary international gateway into the region and is also served by many domestic flights.
The hourly-or-so Airport Shuttle bus into town costs $7, while a taxi will do the same trip
directly to your destination for around $15.
By train - Cairns Station is right in the city centre, easily within walking distance of the waterfront and most hotels.
Queensland Railways Tilt train and The Sunlander services connect Cairns to Brisbane (via Townsville and Rockhampton), taking 32 hours for the full journey. Even though the Tilt Train reaches speeds of 160km/h between Townsville and Brisbane, the diesel Tilt Train running between Brisbane and Cairns runs at a maximum of 80km/h between Townsville and Cairns due to the poor alignment of the line. Although a trip between Townsville and Cairns takes 4 hours by car, it can take over 7 hours by train.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway, also operated by Queensland Rail, runs from Cairns to Kuranda, stopping over the majestic Barron Gorge to allow passengers to leave the train and enjoy the beautiful view over the water.
The Savannahlander also travels from Cairns to Kuranda but then continues on to the outback town of Forsayth.
By car - The 1700-km Bruce Highway running south along the coast connects Cairns
to the state capital Brisbane. Car rental is available from Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty,
Europcar and DIY Car Hire
