Yorkeys Knob

Understand

The Cairns area was historically inhabited by the Indigenous Walubarra Yidinji people. Mapped by James Cook and named Trinity Bay in 1770, it was officially founded in 1876 as an export port for gold and renamed after the then-Governor of Queensland. The city's name is pronounced "Canz" by locals; use of the accepted pronunciation of the governor's surname, the Scottish town, and piles of stones is obsolete. The main industry for the city is tourism, with a focus on the European, Japanese and increasingly Chinese markets. There is a plethora of clubs and coffee shops, all overflowing with international tourists. Cairns is also supported by agricultural businesses which include sugar cane, bananas, coffee, tea and the world's first tropical fruit wine region. Peak season in Cairns is between June–August, a particularly busy time occurs in the first two weeks of July during the school holidays. There is no swimming beach to speak of in central Cairns, although there are many choices just north and south of the city. A large outdoor, lagoon-style pool is in the centre of the Cairns City area, which is very popular throughout the year with tourists and locals alike. For a beachside resort holiday, there are several resorts a short drive north of Cairns.

1 Cairns Tourism Office, 51 The Esplanade, ☏ +61 7 4051-3588, toll-free: 1800 093 300, fax: +61 7 4051-7509. M-F 8:30AM–6PM, weekends and public holidays 10AM-6PM. Official Cairns and tropical Northern Queensland tourism office at the Esplanade. (updated Feb 2015)

Climate

A good time to visit is during the more comfortable winter months of June–August, especially compared to the hotter and stickier summer months. The summer months can see tropical systems threaten Cairns, alongside high heat, humidity, and very heavy rainfall and downpours. Despite average highs and lows topping out at 31 °C (88 °F) and 24 °C (75 °F) in the summer months, the humidity can make those average temperatures feel more like 36 °C (97 °F

Getting there

By plane

1 Cairns International Airport (CNS IATA). The primary international gateway into the region. It is also served by many domestic flights. Cairns Airport has two terminals: a domestic terminal and an international terminal, which are within walking distance of each other. The international airlines serving Cairns are:

Air New Zealand. Seasonal flights from Auckland Air Niugini. Flights from Moro and Port Moresby. Cathay Pacific. Offers seasonal flights to Hong Kong 3x per week between December and March Hainan Airlines. Flights from Shenzhen. Jetstar. Flights from Denpasar, Osaka Kansai International Airport, and Tokyo Narita International Airport; codeshares with their parent carrier Qantas and Japan Airlines. Qantas. Flights from Port Moresby Singapore Airlines. Flights from Singapore The domestic airlines serving Cairns are:

Airnorth. Flights from Darwin and Gove Qantas. Flights from most airports in Australia, e.g. from Ayers Rock/Uluru, Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Horn Island, Mackay, Melbourne, Rockhampton, Sydney, Townsville, Weipa. Their low-cost Jetstar subsidiary flies from Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney Regional Express Airlines. Flights from Bamaga, Burketown, Doomadgee, Karumba, Mornington Island, Mount Isa, Normanton, Townsville Skytrans. Flights from Aurukun, Cooktown, Horn Island, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Pormpuraaw, Weipa Virgin Australia. Flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide Cairns airport has a paid Wi-Fi service.

Shuttle bus and taxi Shuttle bus transfers are available from Cairns Airport, prices range between $15 and $17 (one passenger one way) and $25 to $35 (one passenger return) to Cairns city. The Cairns Airport shuttle buses typically depart the airport hourly. Cairns Taxis depart from Cairns Airport and the trip will range between $25 and $35 to Cairns City (possibly a small wait). If you don't book a shuttle transfer before arriving in Cairns, t

Getting around

The centre of Cairns is small enough to be covered on foot, but a car is needed to see the surrounding attractions if you are not taking a tour. Expect morning and evening congestion in the city centre, as day trippers flock in and out of the town. Numerous car rental agencies are available from the airport or in the city centre. During peak season, make sure to book the car in advance. Hertz, Queensland car hire and other rental options are located at Abbott Street & Shields. SIXT Cairns city location is at Sheridan and Alpine. Kinetic operates the public bus network and offer twenty routes through the city. The terminal of all routes is at the corner of Lake and Shield Street in the centre. Tickets are extremely cheap, at 50¢ per trip, $1 for day ticket, and $5 for weekly ticket. Buses accept both card and cash. There are also a number of car rental companies available from Cairns Airport.

See

Cairns serves as the gateway to the region and is rather short of cultural sights. Besides some historic buildings from the colonial era, the Esplanade and the bars/pubs are the main attraction of Cairns.

1 Cairns Regional Gallery, 40 Abbott St (Cnr Abbott & Shields Streets), ☏ +61 7 4046 4800, [email protected]. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 10AM-2PM. Located in a heritage building in the city centre, the Cairns Regional Gallery is the region's premier destination for exhibitions featuring historical and contemporary art by leading regional, national and international artists. $5. 2 Cairns Museum, Cairns School of Arts Building, corner Lake and Shields Streets, ☏ +61 7 4051 5582, [email protected]. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. The Cairns Museum showcases the Cairns Historical Society’s collection of objects, photographs and archival records. This collection holds the memories of the people, places, events and changing environment of Cairns and Far North Queensland. Adult $10, child (under 14) $5, family (2 parents or grandparents + 2 kids) $25, pensioner/senior/concession $8. 3 Cairns Botanic Gardens, 78-96 Collins Ave, Edge Hill, ☏ +61 7 4032 6650. Daily 7:30AM-5:30PM. The Cairns Botanic Gardens are about 4 km from the city centre, and a number of bus routes pass by the various entrances. The Gardens are divided into 5 distinct zones, including Formal Gardens, Rainforest Boardwalk and Mangroves Boardwalk. Free. 4 Cairns Aquarium, 5 Florence St, ☏ +61 7 4044 7300. Daily 10AM-4PM. This is Australia's most spectacular aquarium, displaying 71 exhibits with more than 16,000 colourful marine habitats and 10 ecosystems. The facility holds the country's largest freshwater tank and is home to the world's first tidal motion tank.

Events Catch an amateur rugby game in town if you can, the locals play a mean game, and it's a great way to meet local folks. International cricket is sometimes played in Cairns at 5 Cazaly's Stadium. Time your visit right and you could

Do

Cairns is an adventure sports enthusiast's paradise: every second shop is a tourist information