This modern, colourful city is the capital of the tropical north but was once a service town for the sugar plantations to the south. Tourism boomed with the airport's upgrade in 1984 and the influx of visitors and commercial enterprises resulted in the unusual mix of modern architecture and original Queenslander homes that can be seen today. The cosmopolitan Esplanade traces the bay foreshore and blends the city life of cafes and shopping with the natural attractions of the Coral Sea. With Cairns' superb location – the Great Barrier Reef to the east, mountain rainforests of the Wet Tropics and plains of the Atherton Tableland to the west, and palm-fringed beaches to the north and south – it is a good base for many activities. For fishing enthusiasts, Cairns is famous for its black marlin.

Visitor Information

Cairns & Tropical North Visitor Information Centre,
51 The Esplanade; (07) 4051 3588

www.tropicalaustralia.com.au

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MAP DATA © PSMA, GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA,
AND EXPLORE AUSTRALIA PUBLISHING PTY LTD

MAP DATA © PSMA, GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA,
AND EXPLORE AUSTRALIA PUBLISHING PTY LTD

Weather

CAIRNS
Mostly fine
32°C
Climate Chart

Towns nearby

Kuranda  17 km
Gordonvale  19 km
Palm Cove  22 km
Mareeba  37 km
Yungaburra  43 km
Atherton  49 km
Babinda  49 km
Port Douglas  58 km
Herberton  64 km
Mossman  66 km
Millaa Millaa  67 km




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