CAIRNS
Area: Queensland
Country: Australia


Location:
In NE of Australia, about two-thirds of way up Queensland coast. 1,100 mls NW of Brisbane; 460 mls NW of Mackay; 670 mls NW of Rockhampton; 750 mls NW of Gladstone. 3 mls S of its own international airport, served by frequent shuttle-bus service.

Telephone code from UK:
61 7

Website:
http://www.cairns.aust.com

Position:
On N shore of Trinity Inlet where it opens into Coral Sea. Facing Great Barrier Reef to E, with Green and Fitzroy Islands close by. Separated from interior by Great Dividing Range (at this part called Atherton Tableland) just to W. Good road leads N as far as Daintree, where it becomes unsurfaced track in rainforest of Cape Tribulation. Bruce Highway heads S, following coast to Brisbane.

Description:
Built in the 1870s as a port serving the gold fields far inland, central Cairns has a small-town feel to it (population only 100,000) and is now almost entirely dedicated to tourism. The terrain is flat, with the streets following the common Australian grid pattern, and the town centre is little more than » ml wide by º ml long. Only a few buildings _ such as the attractive old wooden houses built on stilts and the former customs house _ serve as reminders of pre-tourism Cairns, but there is little high-rise development apart from the odd tower block, built in 60s or 70s style (or lack of it). The central point is the pedestrianised City Place; also of interest is the Esplanade, a pleasant tree-lined green area alongside the less attractive mud flats, and Marlin Marina, a busy boating centre at the entrance to Trinity Inlet.

Suitability:
Mainly used as gateway or base to visit islands of Great Barrier Reef, tropical rainforest or "accessible outback". Particularly favoured by divers, ecotourists and bird-watchers.

Accommodation:
Full range from 4- and 5-star luxury to string of budget backpacker hostels along waterfront.

Shopping:
Wide range of local outlets in town centre. Several covered shopping malls including Orchid Plaza, Pier Marketplace and Cairns Central in the old railway station. Covered night market on sea front selling crafts, jewellery etc.

Beach:
None in Cairns itself. Instead the town looks out over huge tidal mud flats whose only saving grace is that they attract flocks of birds to feed during their annual migration. Proper golden sandy beaches are found all along the 16-ml stretch of coast N of the city, past the airport and across Barron River. Beach buses go to the miniresorts of Machans, Holloway, the evocatively named Yorkeys Knob, Trinity, Kewarra, Clifton, Palm Cove and Ellis. All are plagued with deadly box jellyfish Oct_May, although in some places nets have been erected to keep the stingers out.

Entertainments:
Daytime: botanical gardens with lakes and tropical woodland; large aquarium; museum; art gallery. Nightlife: plenty of places to eat or drink to live music, including jazz club; some discos. Two cinemas. Any combination of dinner, show and gambling at casino in Reef Hotel.

Eating:
No shortage of "tucker" options from fine international cuisine in hotels' a la carte restaurants to fast food in seafront cafes. Seafood is a speciality but Thai, Mexican, Japanese, Korean and other ethnic cuisines are also on offer.

Public-transport:
Comprehensive bus service, including weekend and night services. Trains N and S. "Pedicabs" (bicycle-powered rickshaws) around town. Daily ferry/cruise links to Palm Cove and Port Douglas. Metered taxis.

Local-excursions:
Half day: bungee jumping; tandem sky-diving; white-water rafting; hot-air balloon trip. Full/two days: boat trips to Great Barrier Reef and its islands, normally incorporating opportunities for snorkelling, diving, swimming and picnicking; Daintree rainforest tour, including nocturnal wildlife safaris; scenic railway ride to Kuranda in Atherton Tableland (can be combined with 4»-ml cable-car ride through and over rainforest); various trips to "accessible outback" including Undara lava tubes (4-hr drive).