Cairns - Cairns Beaches - Palm Cove - Port Douglas - Tropical Qld Accommodation
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Cairns is a vibrant city and has developed to become a major international holiday destination. Small enough to offer a relaxing stay, visitors take no time at all to slip into holiday mode.
The Esplanade is the centre of Cairns - a colourful place with a great mix of shops, restaurants and hotels. Many of the city's popular resorts are located on the Esplanade overlooking the Lagoon Pool and with magnificent views of Trinity Bay.
- Two famous Cairns landmarks - the Lagoon Pool and Night Markets
Cairns is the hub to experience the tropical north natural wonders of Kuranda, Mission Beach, Great Barrier Reef, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree, with Port Douglas and Palm Cove only a drive away.
Background
Cairns was initially established to serve miners heading for the goldfields. When this declined Cairns' developed into a railhead and major port for export of sugar cane, metals and agricultural products from the surrounding coastal and Tableland regions.
Located about 1,700 km north of Brisbane, Cairns now serves as the major commercial centre for the Far North Queensland and Cape York Peninsula Regions. The population of 130,000 is reliant on the sugar and tourism industries. Cairns is also a base for the regional offices of many government departments.
- Weather
Cairns experiences a warm tropical climate. The dry season is between April and November, and the wet season with tropical monsoons is between November and March. Average rainfall is about 2000 mm per year, although the small township of Babinda at the southern end of the city gets a lot more than that.
Cairns has hot humid summers and milder temperatures in winter. The temperature varies from a mean temperature of 25.5 °C in July to 31.7 °C in January.
- Transport
Cairns International Airport is what people usually see first when they arrive in Cairns. The Airport is located 7 km north of Cairns City between the CBD and the Northern Beaches. It is Australia's sixth busiest in terms of international and domestic passengers - moving in excess of three million passengers each year.
Cairns is also served by long distance coaches to Brisbane, and the city is the terminus for Queensland's North Coast railway line, which follows the eastern seaboard from Brisbane.
The Cairns Seaport is located on Trinity Inlet. It serves as an important port for tourist operators providing daily reef trips, and major tour operators have their check-in desks located inside the Terminal. Cairns Port is also a port of call for cruise ships, and it provides freight services to coastal townships.
- Shopping in Cairns
Cairns Central (pictured below) has more than 150 specialty shops and
major department stores including Target & Myers. The centre has a
cinema complex and large food court as well as 2 supermarkets and a variety
stores. The Cairns Central Shopping Centre is situated right next to the
Cairns Railway Station.
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From 5pm every day of the week, Cairns Night Market provides a great atmosphere for after hours shopping. Over 70 stalls converge here to provide a selection of homewares, giftwares, tattoos, crocodile skins and pearls - and it’s all in air conditioned comfort. The Pier (opposite the Lagoon pool) has approximately 100 specialty shops including a food court, a number of cafes, bars, and is incorporated in the Radisson Plaza Hotel. |
There are also a variety of shops along the Esplanade as well as shopping centres in Smithfield, Stockland and Westcourt Plaza.
- Entertainment
There is enough nightlife in Cairns to keep you entertained after a day in the sun. Why not start with an evening dinner cruises along Trinity Inlet? Indulge in a 3-course buffet including fresh local seafood on board luxury catamarans while you enjoy fantastic view of Cairns.
There are pubs and clubs, bars and cafes, all open till the small hours of the morning. Bars and places to go dancing include Playpen International Night Club, The Reef Hotel Casino, Sports Bar Nightclub & Cafe, My Bar Karaoke, The Wool Shed Char Grill & Saloon Bar, Tropos, Cairns Rock & Roll Dance Club and many more.
The Reef Casino operates Sunday - Thursday from 10:00am to 3:00am and Friday - Saturday 10:00am to 5:00am, all year round, excluding Good Friday, Anzac and Christmas Days.
The Cairns Convention Centre is the largest venue in Cairns. The Cairns Convention Centre is a world class meetings venue in the tropical paradise of Cairns, fringed by the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Rainforest. It is regularly used not only for conventions but also for major sporting events and concerts.
- Health and Education
The Cairns Base Hospital is situated on the Cairns Esplanade and the smaller Cairns Private Hospital is located nearby. Cairns is also base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The Cairns Campus of James Cook University (Townsville) is located at Smithfield on the northern beaches. The city is also home to a TAFE college, and a School of the Air base.
- Accommodation in Cairns City
As you would expect from a major international tourist destination, Cairns City offers an impressive array of accommodation ranging from 5 star hotels to apartments and budget accommodation.
Famous hotels on the Esplanade include the Hotel Sofitel and the Pacific International. You will find nice apartments opposite the lagoon Pool at the BreakFree Royal Harbour and the Mantra Trilogy. Located a short stroll along the waterfront is The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa and 181 The Esplanade .... (more).