Destination Guide to Cairns, Australia

The Cairns region is the fourth most popular tourist destination in the country – no mean feat when you consider the lure of big cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Cairns is also an extremely popular starting or finishing point for backpackers and travellers exploring the east coast, thanks to an abundance of busy bars, impressive hotels, top tourist attractions, great weather, and close access to the delights of the Great Barrier Reef.

Although a great number of the visitors to Cairns are international backpackers, it is not to say that all of the options for eating out are budget options or fast food joints. There are in fact some excellent places to stay, and several high-class restaurants to choose from in Cairns, many of which have outside seating areas, which allow you to make the most of the excellent weather which the city is renowned for.

Cairns does not have the abundance of large events and festivals found in some of the other cities in Australia, there is still more than enough to keep everyone entertained. Visitors will find that huge numbers of smaller events take place throughout the year to cater for every interest, and the continual party atmosphere in the CBD makes it seem like there is always something happening in the city.

CBD Attractions

The best place to start in Cairns CBD is the Esplanade. This is where you will find some of the best bars, cafes and restaurants in the city, as well as the huge lagoon that has become the area’s main meeting point.

As well as 4800 square metres of filtered swimming water (swimming in the sea is rarely advised in Cairns), the lagoon has sandy fringes for sunbathing, timber decks and landscaped gardens for lazing and relaxing with a book, and barbecues and snack bars ready for when hunger strikes.

Running from the Esplanade for several blocks, the streets of Cairns are designed in an easily negotiated grid, and home to many attractions. The shops, restaurants, cafes and bars are always busy, with the intersection of Shields Street and Lake Street particularly popular with backpackers, as it is where you will find the Woolshed and PJ O’Brien’s, the city’s busiest and most famous bars.

Those seeking something a bit more refined than the busy backpacker bars will discover an array of eating, drinking and gambling options at The Reef Hotel Casino, regular productions at the Civic Theatre and top bands and indoor sporting events at the Convention Centre.

Outskirts of Cairns

The biggest attraction of all for those visiting Cairns and the surrounding area is a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. These come in many shapes and forms, from budget day trips incorporating a spot of snorkelling, to adventures that last for several days and come with all meals and an amount of scuba diving included. Whichever you choose, the scenery of the world’s largest coral reef system is truly stunning, and rightly labelled as one of the top attractions on the planet.

A trip into the rainforest at Kuranda is another must. Here you can ride the Skyrail rainforest cable car, which runs high above the dense rainforest and its series of powerful waterfalls. The cable car stops off at a 175-metre boardwalk which runs through the rainforest and allows visitors to take in the scenery and wildlife close up. Further along is the village of Kuranda, with its many markets, cafes and laid-back pace of life.

Those travelling between Kuranda and Cairns can take the 100 year old Kuranda Scenic Railway for either or both parts of the route, which winds through the mountains on its hour-long journey.

On the outskirts of Cairns CBD, Flecker Botanic Gardens contain a series of footpaths that meander their way through huge numbers of tropical plants. Further north, and located half way between Cairns and Port Douglas at Palm Cove, Cairns Tropical Zoo has been operating since 1980, and is the best place in town to cuddle a koala, feed a kangaroo and meet a whole range of other native animals. Also at the same resort is Cairns Night Zoo, where you can sample a traditional Aussie BBQ and watch the crocodiles eyes glisten under the stars as you learn about country’s nocturnal animals. More crocodiles can be seen at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, which is set in the foothills of the MacAlister Range, between Palm Cove and Port Douglas.

Although Cairns does not have the abundance of large events and festivals found in some of the other cities in Australia, there is still more than enough to keep everyone entertained. Visitors will find that huge numbers of smaller events take place throughout the year to cater for every interest, and the continual party atmosphere in the CBD makes it seem like there is always something happening in the city.

Top Festivals in Cairns

The biggest event in the region, Festival Cairns is in its 47th year, and is a city-wide celebration of local culture and lifestyle. Held for a period of two weeks over the end of August and the beginning of September, the festival incorporates a broad spectrum of smaller events, such as the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, the Tropical Wave Festival and the Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival.

The curtain raiser to Festival Cairns is the Pacific Toyota Grand Parade & Fireworks, which draws crowds of over 35,000 with its blend of free, family fun attractions. The grand finale to two-week festival is the Carnival on Collins, which incorporates around 200 stalls, live entertainment and children’s activities, and usually draws a good crowd, being held on Father’s Day.

The last weekend in June is traditionally the time of Cairns Show Wine Awards, which give recognition to some of the finest wines produced in the county during the previous twelve months. This is held in the lead up to the three-day Cairns Show, which is the second largest event of its type in the region, and is a packed programme of family entertainment to promote local businesses. The historical themes are mining, pastoral and agricultural work, but the show has expanded over the years, and now incorporates firework displays, wood chopping competitions, extreme sports displays and various other fun events for family members of all ages.

Other Events in Cairns

One of the first events of the year is the Yacht Club Anniversary Regatta, with the main race starting from the club’s home at the marina. The Yacht club also host a number of smaller races and events throughout the year, including a two-day event starting on Anzac Day every year.

Held since 1987, The Cairns Tropical Garden Show is a popular May event, which brings displays, workshops and equipment sales to the public. The month long period from mid October to mid November is when the Cairns Art Society Exhibition takes place. Local artists display their work for the general public, and visitors are encouraged to purchase their favourite pieces. Prizes are also awarded for the top works, and as a result this event draws entrants from all across the Queensland region.

More art can be witnessed during December at the Cairns Regional Gallery, when the Postcard Show hits town. Artists are required to put their best work on postcards, which are then sold at auction to raise money for local charities.

Although a great number of the visitors to Cairns are international backpackers, it is not to say that all of the options for eating out are budget options or fast food joints. There are in fact some excellent places to stay, and several high-class restaurants to choose from in Cairns, many of which have outside seating areas, which allow you to make the most of the excellent weather which the city is renowned for.

The Esplanade

The Esplanade is where it is all happening in Cairns, and here you will find a number of eating options to cater to all budgets and tastes. At the bottom end of the scale are the fast food options, such as McDonalds, which are always a quick and easy solution for when hunger strikes as you are enjoying the lagoon.

The next rung up is to sample the delights of one of the several small independent cafes and snack bars that line the Esplanade. Here you will get good portions for relatively low prices, particularly so at some of the buffet outlets, which provide ‘all you can eat’ breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

The Cairns Night Markets combine top shopping with a huge choice of eateries, the majority of which offer a variant of Asian cuisine. Open from 5pm every day, the markets are located slap bang in the middle of the Esplanade, and contain dozens of stalls that provide large portions for budget prices, either to eat in or take out.

If you are looking for a mid-range option, you can do far worse than Rattle & Hum, an extremely popular outlet which is renowned for its wood-fired pizzas. Hearty steaks can also be enjoyed in the friendly atmosphere, and it is unsurprising that the bar-restaurant is packed to the rafters most nights.

At the top end of the market, and perfect for that special occasion or simply a treat, Chapel offers excellent seafood dishes in a stylish environment, whilst Villa Romana Trattoria brings a taste of the Mediterranean to Oz, and there are several other fine dining options along the length of the street.

Around the CBD

The remainder of the CBD runs for several blocks backwards from the Esplanade, the centre of which – the area around Lake Street, Grafton Street and Shields Street is where you will find the majority of bars, most of which serve food until around 10pm. Cairns is a backpackers haven, and as a result most bars cater for this, offering huge portions of old favourites such as steak and chips, chicken and chips, curries and pizzas at bargain prices. The Woolshed (Shields Street) notorious for its boisterous nightlife, but it is hard to argue with its excellent meals for just a few dollars. The same can be said about PJ O’Brien’s on Lake Street, which has offers such as steak and a pint for $11.

Away from the backpacker hangouts, Red Ochre Grill (Market Square) is an award-winning restaurant that serves gourmet versions of native Australian favourites, such as Char Grilled Kangaroo Sirloin and Wild Caught Barramundi, whilst Star of Siam serves excellent Thai dishes in a family-friendly environment, and there are countless other choices in and around the CBD.