Cairns is a city located in the State of Queensland, Australia. Aside from the limitless accommodation and dining options, markets, culture, shopping and seaside atmosphere, Cairns' big drawcard is its access to the outer tentacles of the Great Barrier Reef. It's also a good base to discover Port Douglas, the Atherton Tableland, Cape Tribulation and beyond.

Cairns shines with the carnival atmosphere of travellers all year round and the city is positively booming. In 2003 the foreshore was given a Hollywood makeover, with lagoons and the spanking Pier Marketplace, equipping Cairns to be a truly international tourist destination.

The temperature in Cairns averages out to 24-28˚C (75-82˚F) for most of the year, pushing up to 30-35˚C (86-95˚F) averages in summer. Summer also brings a jump in humidity and a higher likelihood of rain. When it does rain it is usually early in the morning, late in the afternoon or during the night.

During Australia's winter months, tourists flock to Cairns like migratory birds in mating season and the city is positively booming. Peak season is from June to October when temperatures are comfortably hot and rainfall is minimal. November can be a good month to go as accommodation prices drop, the weather is great and the swarms of the tourists have partially subsided. The beaches will have their stinger nets up, as poisonous jelly fish begin to invade the coast, and you're advised to keep within them; but with less people around there is usually ample room to paddle. Tableland and rainforest lakes make excellent swimming alternatives.

This juicy chunk of far north Queensland will bamboozle you with its awesome natural beauty both on land and sea. With its lush rainforests and stunning reefs, Cairns' attractions can suit the coddled tourist and the intrepid outdoor type alike.

Cairns Foreshore Parade
The undisputed highlight of the Cairns Foreshore Promenade is the 4800 sqm saltwater swimming lagoon. Like a big eye candy convention, bodies accumulate here to cool off and bronze up. Fitness enthusiasts blade, cycle or just walk the 3km Esplanade Walking Trail, and locals and travellers meander up and down The Esplanade visiting shops and restaurants.

Cairns Museum
Tel: (07) 4051 5582 (info)
Cairns Museum has some interesting historical displays on life in the Far North. Run by the Cairns Historical Society, it's housed in the beautiful School of Arts building, which dates back to 1907 and features a lovely wide verandah typical of local architecture.
Web: www.cairnsmuseum.org.au

Cairns Regional Gallery
Tel: (07) 4031 6865 (info)
Cairns Regional Gallery, in a gorgeous heritage building, is worth a wander. Exhibitions reflect the consciousness of the region, with an emphasis on indigenous art. The permanent collection includes works by Brett Whiteley, Russell Drysdale and Donald Friend.
Web: www.cairnsregionalgallery.com.au

Crystal Cascades
About 20km from Cairns, the Crystal Cascades are a series of beautiful waterfalls and pools. You will need a friendly local or a cab to get you there but it is worth the effort. The area is accessed by a 1.2km pathway (suitable for wheelchairs) and is a great spot for a dip, particularly in the summer months when the stingers make the beaches unsafe.

Flecker Botanic Gardens
Tel: (07) 4044 3398 (info)
Flecker Botanic Gardens specialises in cycads, heliconias, gingers and palms, and has a stunning collection of natives and exotics. There are informative tours and self-guided walking trails such as the Gondawan Evolution Trail.

Mt Whitfield Conservation Park
Tel: (07) 4046 6600 (info)
Near the botanical gardens is the entrance to the Mt Whitfield Conservation Park, the last remnant of Cairns rainforest and once home to a small cassowary population. The Red Arrow Trail (one hour) and the Blue Arrow Trail (3.5 hours) both offer good views over the city and coast.

Reef Teach
Tel: (07) 4031 7794 (info)
Take your knowledge of the reef to greater depths at Reef Teach. The madcap lecturer is passionate about the reef and talks fast but he will explain how to identify specific types of coral and fish, and how to treat the reef with respect.
Web: www.reefteach.com.au

Tjapukai Cultural Park
Tel: (07) 4042 9999 (info)
Owned and run by Aborigines, the Tjapukai Cultural Park is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It features the Creation legend, told using giant holograms; a corroboree; and boomerang- and spear-throwing demonstrations. The retail gallery sells authentic didgeridoos.
Web: www.tjapukai.com.au

Shopping in Cairns is an airport-lounge experience, with every second shop selling opals, Coogi, Ken Done and authentic made-in-Korea didgeridoos and boomerangs. Although they are a bit touristy, the Night Markets on The Esplanade and the Mud Markets at Pier Marketplace can be fun.

City Place Disposals
Tel: (07) 4051 6040 (info)
City Place Disposals, at the corner of Grafton and Shields Sts, is the place to visit for affordable camping and outdoor gear. They stock a full range of tents, packs and everything else you'll need if you're 'going bush'. A good place to buy that Drizabone coat.

Night Markets
Tel: (07) 4051 7666 (info)
The night markets are a treasure trove of Aussie tourist tack. Head down the Esplanade after a hard day's reef diving and buy your relatives everything they've never wanted. You can never own too many stuffed koalas.
Web: www.nightmarkets.com.au

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Gallery & Store
Tel: (07) 4042 9999 (info)
Forget the tourist shops, this is the place to come for authentic Aboriginal goods. Profits from the Tjapukai Gallery benefit the local Aboriginal community and the artists themselves. The Gallery also provides training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people. Pick up an authentic termite-made didgeridoo or a genuine returning boomerang.
Web: www.tjapukai.com.au

Lots of travellers start or finish their Australian odyssey in Cairns so the pubs and clubs are really pumping here, although there are some more sedate options too. The best starting point is the free 'what's on' magazine, Barfly. It appears weekly and is available in cafes and shops all over town.

Chapel Café
Tel: (07) 4041 4222 (info)
The Chapel Café (91 Esplanade) attracts large groups who drink and dine in stylish green booths lit by low-slung, low wattage bulbs. Acoustic musicians play live most nights, and there's a balcony overlooking the Esplanade, which makes a stellar place for a drink.

Courthouse Hotel
Tel: (07) 4031 4166 (info)
You should stay for at least one drink to do this old courthouse justice. A spacious courtyard encircles the main room, with a well-stocked bar at its centre. A mixed crew - generally suave and clean-cut - gathers here for drinks and tasty Italian food.
Web: www.courthousehotelcairns.com.au

Gilligan's
Tel: (07) 4041 6566 (info)
Attached to the backpackers, this colossal bar is fast becoming the most popular joint in town. The chic interior is very Soho 'daahling' and the yawning deck outside, littered with tables, is a treat. Most nights it's an absolute drinking, dancing, mingling bonanza that includes the world's shortest bungy, the ubiquitous drink specials and a 'foam' party.
Web: www.gilligansbackpackers.com.au

Shenannigans
Tel: (07) 4051 2490 (info)
The high-backed booths and dark polished wood scream elegance, but the amicable atmosphere in this Irish-style pub does indeed verge on sheer Shenannigans as the night draws on. Another of Cairn's great drinking holes, this one comes with good ales, a huge beer garden and an outside bistro - plus there's live music and DJs from Thursday to Saturday.

Soho Nightclub & Lounge
Tel: (07) 4051 2666 (info)
Famed for one of the best sound systems around, this spot, right on the Cairns Esplanade, features resident DJs, as well as touring local and national turntableists. Fall into the leather lounge, or prop up one of the bars.

Cairns is an adventurer's paradise, with diving, white-water rafting, canoeing, horse riding, skydiving, mountain biking, jet boating, bungee jumping and the jungle swing craze 'minjin' all easily available. Tourism operators will bend over backwards to make sure visitors have a great holiday.

Air
Three ballooning outfits fly over Mareeba, with half-hour and one-hour flights.

Bungee Jumping
Smithfield, 15km (9mi) north of Cairns, has a steel tower with magnificent views that's custom made for people wanting to throw themselves headlong into an abyss.

Cycling
Swan about town on a hire bike or challenge yourself on a mountain bike day tour through the Tablelands. Cycling in all forms has taken off in Cairns.

Diving
Cairns is one of the scuba-diving capitals of the Barrier Reef and is one of the most popular places to gain PADI open-water certification, with a wide range of courses on offer.

Horse Riding
Thread through the bush trails around town astride your very own 16-hand charger. Or maybe a knee-high pony to get your confidence up. Half- or full-day hire available.

Rafting
There's excellent white-water rafting down the Tully, Russell and Barron Rivers, with the Tully the best of them. However, it's 140km (87mi) from Cairns, so if you're heading to Mission Beach, it's cheaper and easier to do the tour from there.

Cairns has a neat variety of eateries. You'll find restaurants, cafes and pubs clustered along Shields Street, with slightly more touristy options along The Esplanade. Your options will range from traditional Aussie tucker served in hefty portions or international cuisines in more manageable amounts.

The accommodation business is plentiful and extremely competitive in Cairns and prices go up and down with the seasons. There is everything from party-centric youth hostels to self-contained apartments and major luxury resort action at your disposal.

Plenty of Australian-based carriers connect Cairns International Airport, about 7km (4.3mi) from central Cairns, with Australian and Australasian destinations.

Quicksilver charters boats from the Pier Marina in Cairns to Port Douglas. Several bus lines operate regular services between Cairns and larger Queensland destinations such as Brisbane, Rockhampton and Mackay.

Ample options exist for car rental from Cairns. Cape Tribulation is easy to reach in a 2WD, but most car companies prohibit you from taking vehicles to Cooktown or Chillagoe. Queensland Rail can book you tickets for the Queenslander, which travels between Brisbane and Cairns three times a week.

If you're here for a while bike hire is a great way to see the city. Sunbus operates regular bus services in and around Cairns, from the Lake St Transit Centre at City Place. Buses run from early morning to late evening. All are served by the (almost) round-the-clock night service (N) on Friday and Saturday.

Black & White Taxis has a rank on the corner of Lake and Shields Sts and one outside Cairns Central.

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