The City of Cairns

Queensland's most northerly city of Cairns, framed by a backdrop of rainforest clad mountains and fringed by the Coral Sea, is the heart of the Tropical North and an ideal base from which to explore the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforests. Both of these most fascinating ecosystems are World Heritage listed, and there are very few places on earth where two such treasures rest side by side, and so easily accessible to visitors.

In 1995 it was named Australia's most liveable regional centre, which is reflected in its growing population of some 130,000 residents from all corners of the globe and expected to rise to 250,000 in the next few years.
The balmy climate dictates the leisurely, laid back lifestyle, focused on outdoor activities, and several large-scale projects have recently re-shaped the city. The upgrading of our city's heart, City Place, the new Reef Fleet Terminal and completion of the $32 million Esplanade Project, have transformed the CBD and waterfront into an area where recreation and relaxation make the most of the tropical climate.

The 4800 sq metre saltwater swimming lagoon offers locals and visitors an all year safe swimming location, set on the Cairns foreshore beside Trinity Inlet. Children can enjoy the sandy edges, build sand castles and play in shallow water. Shady trees, landscaped gardens and open spaces all contribute to the leisurely atmosphere on the Esplanade.

Cairns carries with pride the mantle of safest tropical city in the world and is rated Australia's third most popular tourist destination after Sydney and Brisbane.

The traditional Queenslander homes sit side by side with the modern high rises and innovative family dwellings of the suburbs, and all architectural styles blend together along the tree lined streets.

Cairns International Airport is the nation's fifth busiest in terms of international and domestic passenger movements, and is just a few minutes north of the city centre.

Visiting cruise liners tower over the wave-piercing catamarans at the Reef Fleet Terminal; while yachts and game fishing boats moor at the adjacent marinas, only a block from the main centre.

International standard restaurants, bistros and cafes open to late evening, and menus range from genuine Australian bush tucker to the tastes of many nations. Art galleries, cinemas and quality nightclubs are located within the city centre.

On the city's northern fringe, and within walking distance of each other, are the Tanks Art Centre, the Royal Flying Doctor Base and Information Centre, the the century-old Cairns Botanic Gardens.

On the city's northern fringe, and within walking distance of each other, the Flecker Gardens, Centenary Lakes, Mt Whitfield Conservation Park and the Tanks Art Centre combine to make the Cairns Botanic Gardens - a precinct of highly attractive, environmental parkland, a venue for diverse cultural activities, and a picturesque tropical botanical garden.

Palms from tropical lands abound, ranging from tiny understorey palms from South East Asia and New Guinea to giants from the pacific islands, such the fast growing Sago palms. The casual observer is constantly delighted by strangely shaped leaves or foliage painted by nature of the tropics with vivid patterns and designs, while brightly coloured and noisy lorikeets feed on nectar from flowers, and tiny sunbirds flit from flower to flower for a taste of nectar.

The gardens has a range of natural environments and ecosystems from mangroves, fresh and saltwater lakes and a boardwalk through native lowland swamp rainforest.

Further north of Cairns city, the landscape merges into a coastal strip bordered by rainforest clad mountains of the Northern Beaches, a sweep of golden sands, blue waters and palm trees as the highway takes one of the most scenic trips in the country following the coastline for much of the way to Port Douglas.