Facts and Figures
Cairns is a tropical paradise located on the northeast coast of Australia, in the sunny state of Queensland. It is situated on the eastern coast of Cape York Peninsula at Trinity Bay between the Great Dividing Range and the Coral Sea. It has both a domestic and international airport, and is a 1700 kilometre drive from Brisbane, the capital of Queensland.
It was founded in 1876 when gold was discovered on the tablelands to the west, and has developed into a major port used for sugar cane, gold, metals and agricultural produce exports. It is known as the gateway to North Queensland and is now the sixteenth largest city in Australia, with over 140,000 people living there. Visitors from across the globe visit Cairns because of its tropical climate, colourful coastal character and proximity to many attractions. Japanese is common within the tourism industry and many shop signs are also written in Japanese.
Cairns is the heart of the Tropical North Region which covers a narrow coastal strip of 1687 sq km, tucked between the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea to the east and the rolling countryside of the Atherton Tablelands to the west. The region includes Queensland's tallest mountain, Mt Bartle Frere. North is wet tropics rainforest and World Heritage listed National Parks while to the south are rugged ranges with waterfalls and lakes. This gives it a rare mixture of environments that attracts eco-tourists.
The beach at Cairns is essentially a mud-flat, but there are wonderful beaches north and south of the city. Throughout the year flocks of different bird species are seen feeding on the tidal mudflats as they migrate. There is a substantial pedestrian promenade and a very large open air public swimming pool. Adjacent to this are many restaurants and a large undercover shopping mall.
The streets are lined with cafes, restaurants, hotels, plazas, galleries, markets and modern facilities to help visitors enjoy the treasures of Tropical North Queensland. The city also boasts a Casino and a Convention Centre that were both built in 1996.
Climate
Cairns' tropical weather has two distinct seasons. The winter 'Dry' season goes from May to October and usually means mild weather - sunshine, fresh breezes and not too much humidity. The 'Wet' season extends from November to April when tropical downpours are common late afternoons and overnight, sometimes with dramatic lightning displays.
The average rainfall is 1992mm, falling on an average of 154 days per year. The summer months of January to March are usually the rainiest with December till March being the monsoon season with possible thunderstorms and tropical cyclones and "stingers" (box jellyfish) in the ocean. July till September is usually the dry season with mild winter months The temperature in Cairns is fairly uniform, ranging from 23-31°C in mid-summer and 18-28°C in mid-winter.
Top 10 things to see or do
Because there are so many wonderful natural attractions in the vicinity of Cairns, you're holiday here will involve a little travel to make sure you see them all.
1. The Great Barrier Reef: runs for more than 2300km along the northeast coast of Queensland. It is the largest natural feature on earth and can be seen from space. Many companies in Cairns offer organised tours to the Reef.
2. Visit the World Heritage Daintree Rainfores. It is the largest rainforest in Australia, covering more than 1200sq.
3. Go hot air ballooning. Cairns is the hot-air ballooning capital of the world.
4. Stroll round Paronella Park, to the south of Cairns - it is like something from a fantasy movie.
5. Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway and visit the village in the rainforest.
6. Undara Lava Tubes, formed around 190,000 years ago from a major volcanic eruption, are about a half day's drive from Cairns, in the outback. The caverns, formed when the outer layers of lava cooled while molten lava still ran through the middle, run for about 100km.
7. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway winds 7.5km over pristine rainforest from Smithfield to Kuranda, offering an up-close and personal view of the rainforest and magnificent waterfalls.
8. Visit any of the great Cairns beaches to the north and south. With their spectacular backdrop of the rainforest clad mountains they are a picturesque destination.
9. Visit Australia's largest commercial crocodile farm.
10. Have a coffee or meal at the Cairns Esplanade, the main hub of Cairns City.
Cairns Events not to be missed
• Festival Cairns, held over a three week period in September each year. A showcase of national and international cultural, creative and sporting events.
- Cairns Classic Golf Tournament held in January at Paradise Palms Country Club
- Cairns Show held in July each year is now the largest regional agricultural show in Australia.
- Cairns Amateurs Racing Carnival held in September, with horse racing, fashion, socialising and celebrities has something for everyone.
- The Crocodile Trophy is Australia's best-known international mountain bike race. It has a reputation as the longest, hottest and hardest off-road cycling event on the planet.
- Reggaetown Festival is Australia's premier Roots reggae event every September.
Cairns Hotels and Accommodation
Cairns holidays offers a wide range of accommodation choices including beachfront resorts, corporate hotels, family friendly motels, self contained holiday apartments, luxurious holiday homes, vacation rentals, rainforest spa retreats, hospitable bed and breakfasts, budget back packer hostels, island resorts and everything in between. You can choose luxury Cairns holidays, cheap Cairns holidays or budget Cairns holidays depending on your finances. If you're looking for cheap Queensland holidays you can try searching online for Cairns holiday discounts, as there are many bargains to be found on-line.
Transport
Cairns has a local bus service you can purchase 24 hour tickets for. Buses run regularly to all Cairns suburbs and beaches. Medium distance bus services operate to Kuranda, the Atherton Tablelands, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation , Cooktown, Normanton, Karumba and Mission Beach.
The city centre is only a short ride from the Cairns International, and Domestic airports and there are regular transfers from Cairns Domestic and International Airport to most Cairns city hotels, Northern Beaches hotels, Port Douglas hotels and Silky Oaks Lodge.
Luxury coaches operate 24hrs a day from Cairns to other cities and the major road link is the Bruce Highway. Two major trains operate between Brisbane and Cairns. 'The Sunlander' operates 3 times weekly and 'The Queenslander' operates once a week. The journey takes around 32 hours and you can travel in first class, with private air-conditioned accommodation, or in economy.
You can hire cars, campervans, motorcycles, scooters and bicycles in Cairns. Taxis are available throughout Cairns and can be booked by phone or hailed in the street.